What is cancer?
In so-called solid (firm) tumors, lumps form in the tissue; hence the name. Benign tumors remain in place. Malignant tumors, on the other hand, grow into the surrounding tissue and can form secondary tumors (metastases) elsewhere in the body. In blood cancer, cells in the blood become abnormal and multiply uncontrollably. A distinction is made between cancer of the hematopoietic system (leukemia) and cancer of the lymphatic system (lymphoma).
Cancer develops when the genetic material in a cell changes. There are risk factors for this, such as genetic predisposition and age. An unhealthy lifestyle (such as poor diet, lack of exercise, smoking, and alcohol) or external factors (including UV radiation and viruses) can also trigger cancer.
What are the most common types of cancer?
More than 20% of people are diagnosed with cancer before the age of 70. About one in sixteen people requires treatment for cancer. The most common types of tumors (cancers) vary somewhat by gender and region.
The most common types of cancer are prostate cancer in men and breast cancer in women. Other common types of cancer include lung cancer, colorectal cancer, and melanoma (malignant melanoma). Lung cancer, prostate cancer, and breast cancer have the highest mortality rates.
Learn more about the different types of cancer:
All Clinical Pictures Related to Cancer
What symptoms and signs indicate cancer?
Since each type of cancer grows at a different rate and affects different organs, the symptoms are not always the same. For each type of cancer, you will find, under the respective clinical presentation, the symptoms that may occur in addition to the general symptoms. If you notice any unexplained changes in your well-being, you should always consult a healthcare professional.
Living With and After a Cancer Diagnosis
A cancer diagnosis changes many aspects of a person’s life. In addition to the actual symptoms of the illness, there are other challenges that can negatively affect quality of life and well-being. The specialists at the USZ provide comprehensive counseling to those affected and are concerned about their physical and emotional well-being. Even after successful cancer treatment, patients continue to come to the USZ for regular follow-up visits over the long term to address any difficulties or aftereffects.
At our interdisciplinary cancer center, a wide range of departments and specialized clinics work closely together. People with cancer benefit from holistic medicine of the highest quality, tailored to their individual needs.
Second Opinion on a Cancer Diagnosis
A qualified second opinion is useful and helpful for many diagnoses. Our service provides cancer patients with a professionally sound expert opinion to help them make an informed decision.
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Life Expectancy and Cancer Prevention
As a general rule, the earlier cancer is detected, the better the chances of recovery. That is why screening exams —such as those for colon and breast cancer—are recommended for early detection. In recent years, treatment options have improved dramatically, and many types of cancer have become curable. However, even patients with tumors that are difficult to treat benefit from new, targeted treatment approaches that often allow them to maintain a good quality of life.
There are various causes of cancer, and each type of tumor has different triggers. Some types of cancer are genetic. Others are contributed to or triggered by risky behaviors such as smoking, excessive sun exposure, or a lack of physical activity. The USZ offers support for the prevention and early detection of tumors. Regular screenings are recommended for breast cancer, cervical cancer, and colorectal cancer, for example. This is how tumors are detected before they cause symptoms. If cancer treatment is started early, it leads to better chances of recovery.
Preventive Screenings at the USZ:
Cancer Treatments and Therapies
We offer forward-looking, interdisciplinary treatment approaches that meet the highest medical standards. A large team of medical specialists and oncology professionals is available to provide you with diagnostic evaluation, counseling, and treatment.
Cancer treatment options are traditionally divided into three main categories:
Comprehensive Care
Cancer affects not only the affected organ but also a person’s overall well-being. The psyche, the social environment, and professional life are also affected. To ensure that cancer patients at the USZ feel fully supported, the focus is on holistic care. Experts from the fields of medicine, research, psychosocial care, and alternative medicine work closely together. We support those affected in their daily lives and offer assistance in a wide variety of areas.
Experience
Through the CCCZ, we operate one of Switzerland’s leading oncology centers and treat more than 2,000 patients each year who have been newly diagnosed with cancer. Cancer patients at the USZ benefit from the vast experience of our experts in treating all types of tumors. Thanks to this routine, even rare and severe forms of cancer can be treated professionally.
Personalized Oncology for Tailored Therapies
Cancer is not a single disease and can manifest in many different ways. Just as every person is unique, every type of cancer is also unique and different. As a result, cancer patients respond very differently to treatments. Using innovative methods, tumor samples are analyzed biotechnologically at the CCCZ to provide information about the prognosis of a cancer diagnosis. Ideally, they even serve as the basis for a customized and effective treatment that is gentle on healthy tissue and therefore has fewer side effects.
Why Choose USZ?
At the USZ, cancer patients receive treatment at the highest medical standard. Our primary goal is to cure cancer. To this end, we have established an interdisciplinary oncology center—the Comprehensive Cancer Center Zurich (CCCZ)—in collaboration with the University of Zurich, the Balgrist University Hospital, and the University Children’s Hospital Zurich. The 17 specialized organ centers at the CCCZ bring together numerous departments, pooling their expertise on various types of tumors and cancers. Our experts work closely together here for the benefit of those affected. During our weekly tumor board meetings, they discuss the diagnoses and treatment recommendations for our patients in a multidisciplinary setting. Cancer patients benefit from our many years of experience and a holistic approach to care.
Innovative Cancer Research
At the CCCZ, doctors and researchers from more than 60 clinical departments and research groups work side by side to improve the survival rates and quality of life of cancer patients. Thanks to numerous clinical studies, we are often able to step in where established methods reach their limits and offer new and innovative treatment strategies.
The Comprehensive Cancer Center Zurich is certified in accordance with the high professional standards set by the German Cancer Society.
