Neoplasia is the abnormal and uncontrolled growth of cells that can be benign or malignant, leading to tumor formation.
Incidence
- Common
worldwide, with increasing rates due to lifestyle changes, pollution, and
aging.
- Higher
prevalence in smokers, individuals with genetic predisposition, and those
exposed to carcinogens.
Types
- Benign
Tumors: Non-invasive, slow-growing, well-differentiated (e.g., Lipoma,
Fibroma).
- Malignant
Tumors (Cancer): Invasive, fast-growing, poorly differentiated (e.g., Carcinoma,
Sarcoma).
Division
- Epithelial
Tumors:
- Benign: Adenoma,
Papilloma.
- Malignant: Squamous
Cell Carcinoma, Adenocarcinoma.
- Mesenchymal
Tumors:
- Benign: Fibroma,
Lipoma.
- Malignant:
Fibrosarcoma, Osteosarcoma.
- Hematologic
Malignancies:
- Leukemia
(Blood Cancer).
- Lymphoma
(Lymphatic Cancer).
Clinical Features
- Unexplained
weight loss, fatigue.
- Persistent
pain, lumps, or swelling.
- Bleeding,
ulcers, or non-healing wounds.
Signs & Symptoms
- Rapidly
growing masses.
- Localized
pain or systemic weakness.
- Organ dysfunction
depending on tumor location.
Pathogenesis
- Oncogene
Activation: Mutations in proto-oncogenes (e.g., RAS, MYC) lead to uncontrolled
proliferation.
- Loss of
Tumor Suppressors: TP53 and RB gene mutations
cause loss of growth regulation.
- Angiogenesis
& Metastasis: Tumor cells develop their
own blood supply and spread to distant sites.
Laboratory Investigations
- Biopsy: Confirms
malignancy and tumor type.
- Tumor
Markers:
- PSA
(Prostate Cancer).
- CEA
(Colon Cancer).
- AFP
(Liver Cancer).
- Imaging: X-ray,
MRI, CT scan for tumor localization.
Complications
- Metastasis: Spread to
distant organs (e.g., lung, liver, bones).
- Cachexia: Severe
weight loss and muscle wasting.
- Paraneoplastic
Syndromes: Systemic effects due to tumor secretions.
Homeopathic Medicines
- Carcinosin
- Indications:
Family history of cancer, general weakness, recurrent infections.
- Thuja
Occidentalis
- Indications:
Benign tumors, warts, glandular swellings.
- Conium
Maculatum
- Indications: Hard lumps, slow-growing tumors, breast and prostate conditions.
