ABSTRACT

Despite the introduction of the first anticancer agents in the 1940s, 80 years later cancer remains a serious disease worldwide, with statistics showing that 1 in 2 individuals will develop some form of cancer during their lifetime, and 1 in 4 will die prematurely from the disease. This chapter introduces cancer, including the different types of hematological and solid tumors along with their incidence and mortality statistics, outlines some of the terminology used, and discusses the process of metastasis in which solid tumors can move from their original location to other parts of the body. Information is also provided on the diagnosis of cancer and how the screening of healthy individuals can benefit individuals through early treatment. The process of transformation of healthy cells into cancer cells is also described, along with a discussion of the various known causes of cancer. After this, the various modalities of cancer treatments are introduced, and for anticancer agents, their toxicities, mechanisms of action, ability to generate resistance, and use in combinations with other anticancer therapies and adjuvants are described. Finally, a brief discussion of the cost of anticancer agents and how the high price of cutting-edge therapies means they may not be available to all cancer patients is provided.