Cancer is a very unpredictable disease. Among the various forms of cancer is solid tumour cancer, which appears as abnormal tissue lumps that grow uncontrollably. 

If diagnosed with a solid tumour cancer, you might first wonder how it can be treated. In this guide, you can read about solid tumour cancers, including their types, causes, symptoms, and available treatments. 

What is Solid Tumour Cancer: Knowing the Types

Solid tumours are lumps of sick cells formed in the body's tissues. Unlike blood cancers, which affect the blood and bone marrow, solid tumours develop in organs, glands, or bones and, thus, are also sometimes called organ cancer. 

Here outlined are common types of solid tumour cancers:

• Carcinomas: The most prevalent type of solid tumour, carcinomas develop in the epithelial cells lining the internal organs and body surfaces, including the kidneys, colon, lung, breast, and heart.
• Sarcomas: A rare kind of solid tumour cancer, sarcomas can develop in connective tissue as well as bones, tendons, nerves, bones, cartilage, fat, and blood vessels. 
• Lymphomas: While commonly known as blood cancer, lymphomas can form solid tumours in lymph nodes or other organs, affecting the immune system.
• Brain Tumours: Brain tumours are also solid organ neoplasm and are categorised into over 120 types based on which brain tissues they affect. Even though not all brain tumours are cancerous, benign ones can still be life-threatening depending on their type, size, and location.

Symptoms of Solid Tumor Cancer

You might find it difficult to identify the symptoms of solid organ cancer as they can vary widely depending on your tumour's location, size, and stage. Still, we have listed some general signs of solid tumour cancers:

• Persistent pain or discomfort
• Unexplained loss of appetite and weight loss
• Fatigue
• Lumps or swelling in the abdomen, chest, or other areas
• Difficulty breathing or swallowing
• Changes in bowel or bladder habits

Knowing Common Causes of Solid Tumor Cancer

Before laying down the treatment plan, healthcare providers try to figure out the causes behind the solid organ cancer. Some common causes of solid tumours are listed below:

• Genetic Mutations: Development of some solid tumors can occur due to inherited or acquired genetic mutations. For instance, inheriting BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations can increase the risk of breast cancer. And acquired mutations, which can result from environmental factors or random errors in cell division, can also lead to cancer.
• Chronic Inflammation: Chronic inflammation brought on by autoimmune diseases, persistent infections, or conditions like obesity can harm your DNA over time, leading to mutations and the occurrence of solid lumps.
• Radiation Exposure: Increased exposure to ionising and non-ionising radiation can also raise the risk of solid tumour cancers. For instance, research indicates that skin cancers such as melanoma are mostly caused by UV radiation from the sun.
• Hormonal Imbalances: Too much production of certain hormones can promote the growth of specific types of solid tumours. For instance, it’s been discovered that prolonged exposure to high levels of estrogen can increase the risk of breast and ovarian cancers.
• Lifestyle and Environmental Factors: The formation of a solid tumour cancer can be caused by long-term exposure to certain environmental toxins, like radon or asbestos and unhealthy lifestyle choices, from smoking to not exercising. 

Diagnosis of Solid Tumor Cancer

Your best defence against solid tumour malignancies is early diagnosis. Generally, doctors employ the following diagnostic to detect and evaluate solid tumours:

• Imaging Tests: These include techniques like X-rays, PET CT scans, CT scans, MRI scans, and ultrasounds to visualise the tumour's size, shape, and location. 
• Biopsy: A tiny sample of tissue is taken from the tumour and examined under a microscope to identify the type of solid tumour. 
• Endoscopy: An endoscopy is a procedure that looks inside your body and, also sometimes takes biopsy samples to diagnose a solid tumour malignancy in the digestive tract.
• Genetic Testing: Some cancers are caused by specific genetic mutations. Genetic testing is used to identify those mutations.
• Blood Tests: While blood tests alone can’t diagnose solid tumours, they can help pinpoint certain markers or substances produced by cancer cells.
• Molecular Diagnostic Tests:  Molecular Diagnostic tests to know the Molecular subtyping of cancer and to know about the role of Targeted therapy and Immunotherapy. Immunohistochemistry, NGS (Next Generation Sequencing), FISH (Fluorescent in situ hybridisation), and PCR (polymerase chain reactions) are some of the examples of Molecular diagnostics tests.

How Can Solid Tumor Cancers Be Treated?

Treatment for solid tumour cancer is tailored depending on the type, stage, and location of the tumour in the patient’s body. The following are the main treatment options for solid tumours:

• Surgery: Surgery is often used as the initial course of treatment for solid tumours. Your surgeon removes the tumour as well as any surrounding lymph nodes to stop the cancer from spreading.
• Chemotherapy: Various types of chemotherapy can also be performed to kill cancer cells or stop their growth. Although it can be used alone, it’s often used in combination with surgery or radiation.
• Radiation Therapy: Some patients might need radiation therapy in combination with surgery or chemotherapy. High-energy beams are used in this therapy method to either reduce cancer cells prior to surgery or destroy any remaining ones following it. 
• Immunotherapy: The main goal of immunotherapy is to boost your body's immune system so that it can recognise and destroy cancer cells. Results from this treatment have been promising, particularly in cases of lung cancer and melanoma.
• Hormone Therapy: Your doctor may recommend hormone therapy if your solid tumour cancer, such as breast or prostate cancer, is the result of an imbalance in hormones, such as breast or prostate cancer. To slow or stop the formation of solid tumours, this method blocks or reduces the body's levels of hormones that cause cancer. 
• Targeted Therapy: Targeted therapies are designed to attack specific molecules or genetic mutations within cancer cells. These treatments are more precise than traditional chemotherapy and often result in fewer side effects.

All-in-All

A multifaceted approach incorporating early diagnosis, individualised treatment, and ongoing care is key to defeating solid tumour cancer. Seeking help to make informed decisions on your journey to recovery from solid tumour malignancy? Reach out to Medanta's cancer care department for guidance on types of solid tumour cancers and available treatment options.