The human body is made up of billions of cells. Under normal circumstances, cells grow, divide, and die in an orderly manner. However, when mutations occur in a cell’s DNA, causing abnormal cells to multiply uncontrollably, they may accumulate and form a mass known in oncology as a tumour.

Understanding the Two Main Types of Tumours and Their Very Different Threats to the Body

• Benign Tumour: Benign tumours usually grow slowly and are often enclosed by a thin capsule. They do not invade nearby healthy tissues and do not spread to other parts of the body. In general, benign tumours can be treated through surgical removal, and the risk of recurrence is very low.
• Malignant Tumour (Cancer): Cancer cells are highly aggressive. They not only destroy surrounding normal tissues but also have the ability to penetrate blood vessels and lymphatic vessels. Cancer cells can travel through the bloodstream or lymphatic system and establish new tumours in distant organs such as the liver, lungs, or bones. This process is called metastasis.

(Note: Blood cancers such as leukaemia and lymphoma usually do not form solid tumours because the abnormal cells proliferate uncontrollably within the bone marrow or blood.)

Understanding the causes and mechanisms of cancer spread is the foundation for accurate cancer staging and the development of personalised treatment plans, both of which are key to improving treatment outcomes and cure rates.

After a cancer diagnosis is confirmed, the first priority is to accurately determine the cancer stage. This helps oncologists assess the severity of the disease and formulate the most appropriate treatment plan.

Most solid tumours (such as lung cancer, breast cancer, and colorectal cancer) are staged using the internationally recognised TNM Staging System:

• T (Tumour): Evaluates the size of the primary tumour and whether it has invaded nearby tissues.
• N (Node): Evaluates whether cancer cells have spread to regional lymph nodes near the primary tumour.
• M (Metastasis): Evaluates whether cancer cells have spread through the bloodstream or lymphatic system to distant organs such as the liver, bones, or brain.

Based on the combined TNM findings, cancer is generally classified into Stages 1 to 4:

• Stage 1 and Stage 2 (Early Stage): Tumours are relatively small and usually confined to the organ of origin without significant spread. Cure rates are generally higher, and treatment is often focused on local therapies such as surgery.
• Stage 3 (Locally Advanced): The tumour is larger or has invaded surrounding deep tissues and multiple regional lymph nodes. Combined treatment approaches are often required, such as neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by surgery and radiotherapy.
• Stage 4 (Advanced / Metastatic): Cancer cells have spread to other organs in the body. Treatment at this stage focuses on disease control, prolonging survival, and maintaining quality of life, primarily through systemic therapies such as targeted therapy or immunotherapy.

Clinical oncologists will tailor a comprehensive treatment plan according to your exact cancer stage, pathology findings (including genetic mutation analysis), age, and overall health condition.

Modern cancer treatments are generally divided into two major categories:

1. Local Treatments

For early-stage tumours that have not spread, treatment aims to directly remove or destroy the cancer:

• Surgery: Through minimally invasive or conventional surgical techniques, the tumour and potentially affected surrounding lymph nodes are completely removed.
• Radiotherapy: Uses high-energy radiation to destroy the DNA of cancer cells in the tumour area.

2. Systemic Treatments

For cancers that have spread, have a risk of microscopic metastasis, or require treatment before or after surgery, medications travel throughout the body via the bloodstream to target cancer cells.

• Chemotherapy: Uses anti-cancer drugs to actively attack rapidly dividing cells throughout the body.
• Targeted Therapy: Identifies specific genetic mutations (targets) in cancer cells through genetic testing and uses specialised drugs to block growth signals, causing less damage to normal cells.
• Immunotherapy: Reactivates the patient's immune system so that it can once again recognise and attack cancer cells.
• Hormonal Therapy: Blocks hormone supply to hormone-dependent cancers such as breast cancer and prostate cancer.

Hearing that you may have cancer can understandably feel overwhelming. Before beginning treatment, patients are encouraged to complete the following essential steps, as they can directly affect treatment outcomes:

• Obtain a Pathology Report: A biopsy is required to determine the malignancy of the cells and identify specific genetic characteristics.
• Arrange Advanced Imaging Scans (such as PET-CT or MRI): This is one of the most important components of cancer staging, helping to identify microscopic metastases throughout the body and avoid inaccurate staging that could lead to inappropriate treatment decisions.
• Seek a Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) Consultation or a Second Medical Opinion: Complex cancer cases should not rely solely on a single physician's opinion. Input from surgeons, oncologists, radiologists, and other specialists can help develop a personalised treatment plan.

An oncologist is a doctor that specialises in cancer. Oncologists support patients from diagnosis through to treatment and beyond as part of a multidisciplinary team. Oncologists also conduct research into cancer to improve our understanding of the disease and its treatment. Our Clinical Oncologists treat a wide-range of cancer types and work across all aspects of treatment including chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, hormone therapy and radiation therapy. For more information on our doctors, click here.

Oncology is the branch of medicine that focuses on the diagnosis, treatment and research of cancer. This includes medical oncology, radiation oncology, haematology and surgical oncology.

OncoCare's experienced oncology and surgical teams provide personalised treatment planning for cancer patients. We can promptly arrange essential PET-CT staging scans and specialist assessments, when necessary, following the assessment of clinical needs and your personal health conditions. Within our highly private specialist centre, patients receive safe, professional, and comprehensive cancer treatment advice and related medical care throughout every stage of their treatment journey.