Cancer
What is Cancer?
Cancer is a condition where the cells in a person's body begin to reproduce and grow unnecessarily. These growths, known as tumors, are not fought by the body's immune system because they are recognized as the body's own cells. These cells will continue to grow causing damage to the involved organ and eventually spreading to other organs. There over 100 recognized types of cancer.
What Are the Symptoms of Cancer?
The symptoms of cancer vary widely based on which organ is involved in the original growth. For instance, if the cancerous tumor is growing on the liver, the person may exhibit symptoms of liver disease, if the pancreas is involved, then symptoms of diabetes of EPI may present themselves. In some cases, like breast or skin cancer, the symptoms include lumps or unusual growths under the skin.
What Are the Causes of Cancer?
With so many types of cancer, it is difficult to determine an exact cause of all of them. Some cancers are known to be caused by:
- Environmental exposure to cancer causing agents
- Smoking
- Genetics
- Consumption of certain chemicals
Can Any Complications Arise If Left Untreated?
Left untreated, cancer will continue to grow and spread throughout the body. It will continue to damage any organs the tumors grow in. As these organs are damaged, symptoms associated with the dysfunction of that organ will begin to show themselves. This will cause more health problems, pain and ultimately death. Some general signs of a problem that may be cancer include:
- Unexplained weight loss
- Fatigue
- Digestive problems
- Pain in a specific area that does not go away and increases in intensity over time
- Unexplained bleeding and bruising
- Physical and emotional depression
What Medications Treat Cancer?
There has been a great deal of progress made in the treatment of many cancers in recent years. Some of them are now treated with cells from the affected person's body that have been treated to recognize the cancer cells as foreign bodies and attack them. There are also more traditional treatments like chemotherapy and radiation. There are thousands of medications available to treat cancers, a few of these include:
Common medications may include
Adrenal Steroid Inhibitors
Drugs used to block one or more enzymes in the steroid synthesis pathway. Commonly used to treat some forms of cancer and Cushings Syndrome
Antineoplastic - Alkylating Agent - Alkyl Sulfonates
Drugs that prevent or inhibit the maturation and proliferation of neoplasms, also known as anticancer drugs. These work by interfering with DNA.
Antineoplastic - Alkylating Agent - Ethylenimines and Methylmelamines
Drugs that prevent or inhibit the maturation and proliferation of neoplasms, also known as anticancer drugs. These work by interfering with DNA.
Antineoplastic - Alkylating Agent - Methylhydrazines
Drugs that prevent or inhibit the maturation and proliferation of neoplasms, also known as anticancer drugs. These work by interfering with DNA.
Antineoplastic - Alkylating Agent - Nitrogen Mustards
Drugs that prevent or inhibit the maturation and proliferation of neoplasms, also known as anticancer drugs. These work by interfering with DNA.
Show More Medications
Antineoplastic - Alkylating Agent - Nitrosoureas
Drugs that prevent or inhibit the maturation and proliferation of neoplasms, also known as anticancer drugs. These work by interfering with DNA.
Antineoplastic - Alkylating Agent - Other
Drugs that prevent or inhibit the maturation and proliferation of neoplasms, also known as anticancer drugs. These work by interfering with DNA.
Antineoplastic - Alkylating Agent - Triazenes
Drugs that prevent or inhibit the maturation and proliferation of neoplasms, also known as anticancer drugs. These work by interfering with DNA.
Antineoplastic - Antiadrenals
Drugs that prevent or inhibit the maturation and proliferation of neoplasms, also known as anticancer drugs.
Antineoplastic - Antiandrogens
Drugs that prevent or inhibit the maturation and proliferation of neoplasms, also known as anticancer drugs.
Show More Medications
Antineoplastic - Antibiotic and Antimetabolite Combinations
Drugs that prevent or inhibit the maturation and proliferation of neoplasms, also known as anticancer drugs. These inhibit RNA synthesis by delaying or inhibiting mitosis.
Antineoplastic - Antibody-Drug Conjugates (ADCs)
Drugs that prevent or inhibit the maturation and proliferation of neoplasms, also known as anticancer drugs.
Show More Medications
Antineoplastic - Antimetabolite - Combinations
Drugs that prevent or inhibit the maturation and proliferation of neoplasms, also known as anticancer drugs. These work by inhibiting DNA synthesis.
Antineoplastic - Antimetabolite - Folic Acid Analogs
Drugs that prevent or inhibit the maturation and proliferation of neoplasms, also known as anticancer drugs. These work by inhibiting DNA synthesis.
Show More Medications
Antineoplastic - Antimetabolite - Purine Analogs
Drugs that prevent or inhibit the maturation and proliferation of neoplasms, also known as anticancer drugs. These work by inhibiting DNA synthesis.
Show More Medications
Antineoplastic - Antimetabolite - Pyrimidine Analogs
Drugs that prevent or inhibit the maturation and proliferation of neoplasms, also known as anticancer drugs. These work by inhibiting DNA synthesis.
Show More Medications
Antineoplastic - Antimetabolite - Urea Derivatives
Drugs that prevent or inhibit the maturation and proliferation of neoplasms, also known as anticancer drugs. These work by inhibiting DNA synthesis.
Antineoplastic - Aromatase Inhibitors
Drugs that prevent or inhibit the maturation and proliferation of neoplasms, also known as anticancer drugs.
Antineoplastic - Arsenic Compounds
Drugs that prevent or inhibit the maturation and proliferation of neoplasms, also known as anticancer drugs.
Antineoplastic - Asparaginase Enzyme Therapy Agents
Drugs that prevent or inhibit the maturation and proliferation of neoplasms, also known as anticancer drugs.
Antineoplastic - BRAF Kinase Inhibitors
Drugs that prevent or inhibit the maturation and proliferation of neoplasms, also known as anticancer drugs.
Antineoplastic - Cyclin-Dependent Kinase (CDK) 4/6 Inhibitors
Drugs that prevent or inhibit the maturation and proliferation of neoplasms, also known as anticancer drugs.
Antineoplastic - Epothilones and Analogs
Drugs that prevent or inhibit the maturation and proliferation of neoplasms, also known as anticancer drugs.
Antineoplastic - Estrogen Receptor Antagonist
Drugs that prevent or inhibit the maturation and proliferation of neoplasms, also known as anticancer drugs.
Antineoplastic - Estrogens
Drugs that prevent or inhibit the maturation and proliferation of neoplasms, also known as anticancer drugs.
Antineoplastic - EZH2 Histone Methyltransferase (HMT) Inhibitor
Drugs that prevent or inhibit the maturation and proliferation of neoplasms, also known as anticancer drugs.
Antineoplastic - Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors
Drugs that prevent or inhibit the maturation and proliferation of neoplasms, also known as anticancer drugs.
Antineoplastic - Immunotherapy, Therapeutic Vaccines
Drugs that prevent or inhibit the maturation and proliferation of neoplasms, also known as anticancer drugs.
Antineoplastic - Immunotherapy, Virus-Based
Drugs that prevent or inhibit the maturation and proliferation of neoplasms, also known as anticancer drugs.
Antineoplastic - Immunotoxins
Drugs that prevent or inhibit the maturation and proliferation of neoplasms, also known as anticancer drugs.
Antineoplastic - Interferons
Drugs that prevent or inhibit the maturation and proliferation of neoplasms, also known as anticancer drugs.
Antineoplastic - Interleukins
Drugs that prevent or inhibit the maturation and proliferation of neoplasms, also known as anticancer drugs.
Antineoplastic - Isocitrate Dehydrogenase Inhibitors
Drugs that prevent or inhibit the maturation and proliferation of neoplasms, also known as anticancer drugs.
Antineoplastic - Janus Kinase (JAK) Inhibitors
Drugs that prevent or inhibit the maturation and proliferation of neoplasms, also known as anticancer drugs.
Antineoplastic - Janus Kinase(JAK),FMS-like Tyrosine Kinase(FLT) Inhib
Drugs that prevent or inhibit the maturation and proliferation of neoplasms, also known as anticancer drugs.
Antineoplastic - LHRH (GnRH) Agonist Analog Pituitary Suppressants
Drugs that prevent or inhibit the maturation and proliferation of neoplasms, also known as anticancer drugs.
Antineoplastic - LHRH (GnRH) Antagonist Pituitary Suppressants
Drugs that prevent or inhibit the maturation and proliferation of neoplasms, also known as anticancer drugs.
Antineoplastic - MEK1 and MEK2 Kinase Inhibitors
Drugs that prevent or inhibit the maturation and proliferation of neoplasms, also known as anticancer drugs.
Antineoplastic - Microtubule Inhibitors
Drugs that prevent or inhibit the maturation and proliferation of neoplasms, also known as anticancer drugs.
Antineoplastic - Monoclonal Antibodies
Drugs that prevent or inhibit the maturation and proliferation of neoplasms, also known as anticancer drugs.
Show More Medications
Antineoplastic - mTOR Kinase Inhibitors
Drugs that prevent or inhibit the maturation and proliferation of neoplasms, also known as anticancer drugs.
Antineoplastic - Multikinase Inhibitors
Drugs that prevent or inhibit the maturation and proliferation of neoplasms, also known as anticancer drugs.
Antineoplastic - Other
Drugs that prevent or inhibit the maturation and proliferation of neoplasms, also known as anticancer drugs.
Antineoplastic - Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy (PRRT)
Drugs that prevent or inhibit the maturation and proliferation of neoplasms, also known as anticancer drugs.
Antineoplastic - Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase (PI3K) Inhibitors
Drugs that prevent or inhibit the maturation and proliferation of neoplasms, also known as anticancer drugs.
Antineoplastic - Platinum Complexes
Drugs that prevent or inhibit the maturation and proliferation of neoplasms, also known as anticancer drugs.
Antineoplastic - Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors
Drugs that prevent or inhibit the maturation and proliferation of neoplasms, also known as anticancer drugs.
Antineoplastic - Progestins
Drugs that prevent or inhibit the maturation and proliferation of neoplasms, also known as anticancer drugs.
Antineoplastic - Proteasome Enzyme Inhibitors
Drugs that prevent or inhibit the maturation and proliferation of neoplasms, also known as anticancer drugs.
Antineoplastic - Protein-Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors
Drugs that prevent or inhibit the maturation and proliferation of neoplasms, also known as anticancer drugs.
Show More Medications
Antineoplastic - Radiolabeled Meta-iodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) Therapy
Drugs that prevent or inhibit the maturation and proliferation of neoplasms, also known as anticancer drugs.
Antineoplastic - Retinoids
Drugs that prevent or inhibit the maturation and proliferation of neoplasms, also known as anticancer drugs.
Antineoplastic - Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators (SERMs)
Drugs that prevent or inhibit the maturation and proliferation of neoplasms, also known as anticancer drugs.
Antineoplastic - Selective Retinoid X Receptor Agonists
Drugs that prevent or inhibit the maturation and proliferation of neoplasms, also known as anticancer drugs.
Antineoplastic - Taxanes
Drugs that prevent or inhibit the maturation and proliferation of neoplasms, also known as anticancer drugs.
Antineoplastic - Thalidomide Analogs
Drugs that prevent or inhibit the maturation and proliferation of neoplasms, also known as anticancer drugs.
Antineoplastic - Topoisomerase I Inhibitors
Drugs that prevent or inhibit the maturation and proliferation of neoplasms, also known as anticancer drugs.
Antineoplastic - Topoisomerase II Inhibitors
Drugs that prevent or inhibit the maturation and proliferation of neoplasms, also known as anticancer drugs.
Show More Medications
Antineoplastic - Vinca Alkaloids and Analogs
Drugs that prevent or inhibit the maturation and proliferation of neoplasms, also known as anticancer drugs.
Antineoplastic -Cephalotaxines
Drugs that prevent or inhibit the maturation and proliferation of neoplasms, also known as anticancer drugs.
Antineoplastic Antibiotic - Actinomycins
Drugs that prevent or inhibit the maturation and proliferation of neoplasms, also known as anticancer drugs. These inhibit RNA synthesis by delaying or inhibiting mitosis.
Antineoplastic Antibiotic - Others
Drugs that prevent or inhibit the maturation and proliferation of neoplasms, also known as anticancer drugs. These inhibit RNA synthesis by delaying or inhibiting mitosis.
Antineoplastic-Alkylating Agent-Tetrahydroisoquinoline and Derivatives
Drugs that prevent or inhibit the maturation and proliferation of neoplasms, also known as anticancer drugs. These work by interfering with DNA.
Antineoplastic-Anti-Programmed Cell Death Ligand-1 (PD-L1) MC Antib.
Drugs that prevent or inhibit the maturation and proliferation of neoplasms, also known as anticancer drugs.
Antineoplastic-Anti-Programmed Cell Death Receptor-1 (PD-1) MC Antib.
Drugs that prevent or inhibit the maturation and proliferation of neoplasms, also known as anticancer drugs.
Bone Resorption Inhibitors
Drugs used to treat postmenopausal and glucocorticoid induced osteoporosis, Paget's disease of the bone and malignant hypercalcemi
Show More Medications
Dermatological - Antineoplastic Alkylating Agents
Drugs that prevent or inhibit the maturation and proliferation of neoplasms, also known as anticancer drugs.
Dermatological - Antineoplastic Antimetabolites
Drugs that prevent or inhibit the maturation and proliferation of neoplasms, also known as anticancer drugs.
Dermatological - Antineoplastic or Premalig. Lesions - Antimicrotubule
Drugs that prevent or inhibit the maturation and proliferation of neoplasms, also known as anticancer drugs.
Dermatological - Antineoplastic or Premalignant Lesions - NSAID's
Drugs that prevent or inhibit the maturation and proliferation of neoplasms, also known as anticancer drugs.
Dermatological - Antineoplastic Retinoids
Drugs that prevent or inhibit the maturation and proliferation of neoplasms, also known as anticancer drugs.
Dermatological - Antineoplastic Selective Retinoid X Receptor Agonist
Drugs that prevent or inhibit the maturation and proliferation of neoplasms, also known as anticancer drugs.
Dermatological - Immunomodulator - Interferons
Used for certain cancers
Dermatological - Keratolytic-Antimitotic Combinations
Drugs used to treat dry skin conditions such as acne, warts, and psoriasis and can treat cancer
Show More Medications
Dermatological - Keratolytic-Antimitotic Single Agents
Drugs used to treat dry skin conditions such as acne, warts, and psoriasis and can treat cancer
Show More Medications
Dermatological - Ornithine Decarboxylase (ODC) Inhibitors
Drugs used for the prevention of Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer
Fluorouracil and Related Rescue Agents
Used to treat rough, raised areas of heavily sun-exposed skin and skin cancer
Folate Antagonist Antibiotics
Certain folate antagonists are used to treat some types of cancer and inflammatory conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis
Methotrexate Rescue Agents
Methotrexate rescue is a technique used in cancer chemotherapy
Ophthalmic - Anti-inflammatory, Immunomodulators
Drugs that mainly target the pathways that treat multiple myeloma and a few other cancer
Plasma Kallikrein Inhibitor Agents, Recombinant Monoclonal Antibody
Agents used in biomedical science and toxicological research, and are effective therapeutic treatments for cancer, autoimmune disorders and a host of other diseases
Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors - Quinazoline Agents
Anticancer agents
Progeria Syndrome Treatment Agents - Farnyltransferase Inhibitor
Class of experimental cancer drugs that target protein farnesyltransferase
Tissue Protective Agents for Tx of Cancer Chemotherapy Extravasation
Extravasation refers to the inadvertent infiltration of chemotherapy into the subcutaneous or subdermal tissues, these agents are used to protect those tissues
References:
https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/cancer-in-general/treatment/cancer-drugs/drugs
https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/understanding/what-is-cancer
https://www.cancer.net/navigating-cancer-care/cancer-basics/what-cancer