Many tumors are already in advanced stages when discovered
How long have these tumors, which show no symptoms in their early stages, been growing inside the body
How long have these tumors been growing in the body?
Ms. Lin, a resident of Haikou, experienced intermittent rectal bleeding for half a year, thinking it was merely hemorrhoids and did not take it seriously. Three months later, when she began having difficulty passing stools, she went to the hospital for an examination and was diagnosed with colorectal cancer, already causing partial intestinal obstruction. Unfortunately, by the time it was detected, the cancer had progressed to an advanced stage. Ms. Lin deeply regretted not paying attention to her body’s signals earlier, which resulted in serious consequences.
How long does it take for a single cancer cell to grow into a tumor?
Clinically, a 1-centimeter tumor consists of approximately one billion cancer cells. It typically takes about 30 cell divisions for a single cancer cell to multiply into one billion.
Therefore, for a tumor with a moderate growth rate, it can take several years, or even decades, for a single cancer cell to develop into a 1-centimeter tumor. For instance, colorectal cancer may progress from inflammation to polyps, then hyperplasia, and eventually cancer over a span of 10-15 years. In contrast, pancreatic cancer can develop more rapidly over a shorter period.
Factors Influencing Tumor Growth Time
1. Tumor Type: Different types of cancer grow at varying speeds. For example, small cell lung cancer tends to multiply faster and is more aggressive than non-small cell lung cancer.
In breast cancer, the doubling time of carcinoma in situ is typically six months to a year, whereas invasive breast cancer can double in 2-3 months, with high-risk types potentially growing even faster.
2. Individual Differences: The growth rate of tumors is influenced by each person’s immune system, genetic makeup, lifestyle, and overall health condition.
3. Tumor Microenvironment: Just like humans live within an environment, tumor cells also have their own microenvironment inside the body, including factors such as oxygen, blood vessels, nerves, and other surrounding cells. Blood supply and nutrient availability significantly affect the growth rate of tumors.
What Tests Can Help Detect Tumors Early?
Jin Hong, Director of the Medical Examination Center at Hainan Chengmei Hospital, notes that different tumors require different early screening methods depending on their location in the body.
01 Routine Screening | Serum Tumor Markers
Serum tumor markers are a conventional method for early tumor detection. By taking a blood sample to check for elevated levels of various tumor markers in the blood, it is possible to obtain useful indicators for the detection and differentiation of malignant tumors.
02 Breast Cancer Screening | Breast Ultrasound/Mammography
Breast ultrasound and mammography are mainly used for breast cancer screening. Ultrasound is particularly suitable for younger women and can detect early lesions, making it the first choice for young women. Mammography is recognized as one of the best methods for routine clinical breast cancer screening and preventive examination. It can detect microcalcifications smaller than 0.1 millimeters, offering an effective and reliable means for early detection and diagnosis of breast cancer.
03 Lung Cancer Screening | Chest CT
For early lung cancer screening, chest imaging tests are recommended, with chest CT being the most effective.
04 Colorectal Cancer Screening | Digital Rectal Exam and Colonoscopy
For early screening of rectal cancer, a digital rectal examination can detect 70% of low rectal cancers. Colonoscopy provides a direct view of the inside of the colon, and if necessary, biopsies of polyps or tumors can be performed.
05 Stomach Cancer Screening | Gastroscopy
For early detection of stomach cancer, gastroscopy is the most accurate examination. It can detect mucosal lesions, polyps, and precancerous changes in the stomach. Biopsies can be taken from suspicious lesions for pathological examination.
06 Cervical Cancer Screening | TCT + HPV-DNA
The TCT test examines cervical cells and can detect 100% of cervical cancer cases, as well as some precancerous lesions and infections such as yeast, trichomonas, viruses, and chlamydia. HPV is a major cause of cervical cancer, and HPV-DNA testing can determine whether a patient has been infected with the virus and identify the strain.
07 Thyroid Cancer Screening | Ultrasound Examination
Currently, ultrasound is the most commonly used method for clinical screening of thyroid cancer. Through ultrasound examination, thyroid nodules are classified using the TIRADS system. Nodules classified as category 4 or higher have a higher likelihood of being thyroid cancer, requiring further fine-needle aspiration cytology and pathological biopsy to confirm the diagnosis of thyroid cancer.
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Editor | Huang Fei