• Question: Why are some cancer more cureable than others?

    Asked by issiphee1 to Iain, Jo, Leo on 24 Jun 2010 in Categories: .
    • Photo: Leo Garcia

      Leo Garcia answered on 24 Jun 2010:


      How easy it is to remove the cancer from the body depends upon how far progressed it is, where it is in the body, and what kind of cancer it is. Skin cancer is relatively easily treatable because it is easy for doctors to access, is spotted quickly (because we can keep a close eye on changes on the skin), and can be treated surgically.

      Compare this to something like a brain tumour – which can be develop for a long time before the person will notice it, is very inaccessible, and is hard to remove surgically – and it’s not surprising that survival rates are much lower for this kind of cancer. In cases where it cannot be removed surgically, radiotherapy and chemotherapy must be used, and this is generally not as effective as surgery.

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