is there much recent progress in finding a cure for cancer?

Question

and any predictions as to how long it will take?

Answer 1

The treatment for cancer is not the same as it was even six months ago . . treatment is progressive . . it does not stand still as some here mistakenly think. And, cancer is an umbrella term that describes over 200 separate diseases. I say separate because each one of these cancers require a different type of treatment depending on the stage and grade of the tumor and the overall health and age of the patient. Finding 'one cure' to fit all types of cancer . . is not going to happen. However, there is currently a large group of survivors
for many types of cancer . . and essentially the cure involves early detection. It is, in general, advanced or stage IV cancers that are the most difficult to control and thus, the most difficult to 'cure'. It is metastatic cancer that is the most life threatening . . and what needs a 'cure'. Metastatic cancer refers to primary tumors ability to 'shed' microscopic malignant cells into the blood stream or lymphatic system. Those metastatic cells can than go anywhere in the body and establish a whole new set of tumors . . sometimes hundreds of them . . that is where reseach needs to be concentrated . . stopping metastatic spread.

As far as how long it takes, there are many cancers in early stages that for all intents and purposes are 'cured' through treatment. There are many new treatments for various types of cancer .. . look up Imatinib Mesylate and Sunitinib family of drugs to see what is current treatment and results for chronic myeloid leukemia and gastrointestinal stromal tumors. These are just two types of cancers which has seen results from these two drugs. There is currently research efforts involved in locating the specific proteins for each tumor and breaking the DNA codes for each disease. So, no predictions how long any of this will take . . but I hope it is soon!!

Answer 2

Here's the thing, most cancer specialist will say that there will never be one cure for cancer because a variety of things cause cancer so one cure that works for one person might not work for another person. I did intern in a cancer lab. We're trying to find what a particular gene does that is known to cause breast cancer. Once we find out what that gene does the door for a cure will be wide open.
On the otherhand scientist all over the world are desparately trying to find out what dogs are smelling that makes them smell cancer. So that way cancer can be detected earlier with a less torturous method.

Answer 3

Depends on what you consider recent and what you consider progress.

The truth is cancer is not one disease but a catch all term for hundreds, perhaps thousands, of separate diseases with the common symptom of uncontrolled cell growth. Each cancer is a separate disease defined by the which genetic mutations occurred in the cell and the cell type.

Currently, there is not one single disease caused by genetic mutations that can be cured. Cancer is a disease caused by genetic mutations. The genetic diseases we are most familar with (Sickle Cell Anemia, Down's Syndrome, etc.) are caused by mutations inherited at birth. For cancer, most if not all mutations are accumulated during the cancer patients lifetime.

With that clarification about cancer, I believe you will see some near-cures to certain types of cancer in the next 5-10 years. I define near-cures as drug treatments that can bring about indefinite remissions in most cases. Some examples that already exist are the tyrosine kinase inhibitors (Gleevec, Sprycel, Nilotinib) for Ph+ CML and ATRA for AML/M3. These treatments are less than 5 years old.

It appears that non-solid cancers (leukemias and lymphomas) appear easier to develop these new treatments for that cancers involving tumors.

Answer 4

hi It relies upon what form of maximum cancers and how long the persons had it, each and every particularly situations they don't seize it in time and the main cancers has unfold to different areas of the physique. There are greater new drugs for diffrent cancers that are helping human beings like Breast maximum cancers and there is radiation and keymo that still kills the main cancers on the early stages in the event that they seize it in time.I dont be attentive to how long yet i continuously tell all and sundry please get your verify up pass to the surgeon. if your not feeling properly.i'm hoping i could desire to help you answer your question. Have a great Day!!

Answer 5

Cancer is many diseases. Some cancer cure will be sooner then others. But, cancer treatments get better and better everyday. So it is anyones guess.

Answer 6

we are a long way off on that one

learning how to PREVENT it is becoming much more important

here is a link to a 2004 article from Fortune mag on the various complexities of your question