Overview of cancer for the healthcare team: Aetiopathogenesis and early diagnosis

SummaryMuch cancer presents late, at a stage when not only is more radical treatment necessary, but the prognosis is also less favourable. This paper attempts to provide an overview of the aetiopathogenesis of cancer (carcinoma) for the healthcare team, a broad understanding of which is crucial for coping with issues related to prevention, diagnosis and management.Prevention of cancer involves lifestyle decisions which afford protection not only against cancers in many sites, but also against a wide range of other conditions, many of which are equally life-threatening.The paper also highlights areas of controversy in the early diagnosis of oral cancer. Earlier diagnosis is likely to be achieved reliably only with the introduction of molecular studies.