Solid Tumors

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Solid Tumors: Understanding Types and Treatment

A tumor is an abnormal mass of cells. When it comes to solid tumors, they do not contain any liquid or cysts. These tumors can occur in various places within the body, including bones, muscles, and organs. Dr Liza Bulsara is a Solid Tumor Care Specialists. It’s important to note that not all tumors are cancerous. A tumor without cancer cells is called benign, while a tumor with cancer cells is termed malignant.

Cancer is divided into two main types: solid tumor cancers and blood cancers (also known as hematological cancers). Blood cancers do not form tumors, whereas solid tumors do. In hospitals, specialists who treat solid tumors typically work in different departments from those handling blood cancers.

Let’s delve into the major types of solid tumors:

  1. Sarcomas: These tumors originate in blood vessels, bones, fat tissue, ligaments, lymph vessels, muscles, or tendons. There are several subtypes of sarcomas:
    • Ewing sarcoma and osteosarcoma: Both are bone cancer sarcomas.
    • Rhabdomyosarcoma: A soft tissue sarcoma found in muscles.
  2. Carcinomas: These tumors form in epithelial cells, which are present in the skin, glands, and linings of organs. Common sites for carcinomas include the bladder, ureters, and part of the kidneys. An example of a common carcinoma is adrenocortical carcinoma, which develops in the adrenal glands located above each kidney.
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There are two main types of thalassemia: alpha thalassemia and beta thalassemia. Each type has different subtypes, which can vary in severity.

1.Alpha Thalassemia: This type occurs when there is a problem with the production of alpha globin chains, a component of hemoglobin. The severity of alpha thalassemia depends on the number of affected genes. Subtypes include silent carrier, alpha thalassemia trait, hemoglobin H disease, and hydrops fetalis.

2.Beta Thalassemia: Beta thalassemia occurs when there is a mutation or absence of the beta globin chains. The severity of beta thalassemia can range from mild to severe. Subtypes include thalassemia minor, thalassemia intermedia, and thalassemia major (also known as Cooley’s anemia).

The causes of solid childhood tumors are not fully understood, but some factors that may increase the risk include age, genetic conditions, and environmental exposures. For example, some solid tumors are more common in infants and young children, such as neuroblastoma and Wilms tumor, while others are more common in older children and adolescents, such as osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma. Some solid tumors are associated with inherited syndromes, such as retinoblastoma, which is caused by a mutation in the RB1 gene. Some solid tumors may also be influenced by exposure to radiation, chemicals, or viruses, such as hepatoblastoma, which is linked to hepatitis B infection.

The diagnosis of solid childhood tumors usually involves a combination of physical examination, imaging tests, blood tests, and biopsy. The treatment of solid childhood tumors depends on the type, location, stage, and grade of the tumor, as well as the age and general health of the child.

Dr Liza is a Solid Tumor Care Specialists. The main treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy. The goal of treatment is to remove or destroy the tumor, prevent or control its spread, and minimize the side effects and complications.

The prognosis of solid childhood tumors varies widely, depending on the type and characteristics of the tumor, the response to treatment, and the presence of recurrence or metastasis. Some solid tumors have a high cure rate, such as retinoblastoma and Wilms tumor, while others have a poor outcome, such as high-grade glioma and neuroblastoma.

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