Cells lose the control to reproduce and then form into a tumor right? I can see how a brain tumor could kill someone but could someone else explain to me how exactly cancer kills someone?
2007-08-18 17:12:29 · 7 answers · asked by sharpie 3 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Cancer
Technically Cancer will kill no one ,yes the cancer can form tumours etc but a cancer patient dies from organ failure rather than from the cancer, The cancer can be the cause of the organ failure but not the actual death, Cancer patient`s death certificate will show death from xxx organ failure or even pneumonia ,the cause of the organ failure was due to cancer or growth
Eg : cancer near the heart ,the tumors or cancer cells cause the heart valves and the heart tissue to weaken ,This then leads to a heart attack or heart valve shut down
2007-08-18 17:24:58 · answer #1 · answered by kevinmccleanblack 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋
A question that is periodically asked on this Q&A.
I will cut and paste my previous answer.
Cancer kills by complications it causes. This is usually due to the constant and accelerating growth which overwhelms the bodies ability to cope.
The reasoning is, if cancer existed in the body but stopped growing, the body could still survive.
The body can tolerate a tumor pushing against a organ so much. In brain cancer, the brain has little addition room. Brain tumors often cause seizures and vomiting due to increased intercranial pressure. Eventually the pressure will cause malfunction is the brain.
Blockages can occur. This can lower appetite (leading to slow wasting as in pancreatic cancer). Examples cancers of the abdomen and esphogeus.
Cancer cells often produce enyzmes which in small quantities can be tolerated. Fluid accumulation in the lungs, bone destroying enyzmes, etc. These can cause potentially fatal chemical imbalances that can lead to a heart attack, liver and/or kidney failure. Examples, cancers of the lung, bone and, leukemias.
In addition, cancer cells use the bodies energy and produce waste (blood) like any other cell.
In short, cancer profileration overwhelms the body and that's what really kills.
2007-08-19 06:16:04 · answer #2 · answered by oncogenomics 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Metastasis of cancer cells is considered the primary cause of death with most solid tumors. The metastasized cells grow into numerous 'new' cancers, and in this process of growth consume large amounts of the body's energy and nutrients. This results in cachexia (wasting) and death. Did you see Tammy Faye Bakker on Larry King? She was cachexic and died a few days later.
2007-08-18 17:18:33 · answer #3 · answered by Doctor J 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
it totally depends on the type of cancer.
Blood related cancers usually mutate the white blood cells such that your body cannot fight infections anymore... or it will think EVERYTHING is an infection and attack your healthy organs.
Other cancer tissues will sort of "eat" into your organs, causing them to fail.
I am sure other cancers have other ways of killing you, but for the most part, it slowly causes organ failure.
2007-08-18 17:21:12 · answer #4 · answered by nephthys76 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
cancerous tumors in certain parts of the body release toxins(as was already mentioned) while others simply block off arteries or take over organ functions.
2007-08-18 17:19:52 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
It multiplies until the organ can no longer function, or it releases toxins that cause other organs to fail.
2007-08-18 17:16:10 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
go to mdanderson.org and research for an answer. it is the number one cancer hospital in the world.
2007-08-18 17:17:30 · answer #7 · answered by Shirley L 1 · 1⤊ 2⤋