The Oncology Landscape: Molecular Pathophysiology, Diagnostics and Emerging Therapeutics

Abstract

Cancer is a very complicated complex and diverse disease that affects millions around the world; it remains one of the leading causes of global toll even though there have been tremendous advancements in cancer research and development. The purpose of this paper is to provide a current overview of what we know about cancer and how it develops. We will discuss the etiology (cause), diagnosis and treatment methods for many common types of cancer including Breast, Gastric, Pancreatic, Oral, Prostate, Gallbladder, Colorectal, Thyroid and Ovarian Cancers. The progression of cancer is primarily due to a combination of genetic mutation(s), epigenetic changes, chronic inflammation and disrupted cell-to-cell adhesion. Of all these factors, inflammation is a significant contributor to both the development and spread of cancer and thus positions immunotherapy as a novel, state-of-the-art approach to treating cancer. In addition to traditional approaches to treating cancer (e.g., Surgery, Chemotherapy, Radiation Therapy), clinicians now have access to a variety of cutting-edge approaches such as Immunotherapy and Gene Therapy.