The world faces numerous types of cancer, many of which remain incurable. While Russia claims to have crafted a cancer vaccine, these ten types pose such grave threats that survival is a rarity, almost miraculous for those who overcome them...
According to WHO, in 2020, lung cancer took 1.8 million lives, colorectal cancer claimed 916,000, and liver cancer resulted in 830,000 deaths. Prostate and breast cancers are among the most common, though not always fatal.
1. Pancreatic Cancer
In the United States, after heart conditions, this is the second leading cause of death. CDC reports show even early detection and treatment struggle against its lethal nature. Only 12.5% of patients survive beyond five years. In 2020, it claimed 50,550 American lives. Treatment includes surgery, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy, with no guarantees of success.
Source: aajtak
2. Liver/Bile Duct Cancer
With a five-year survival rate of just 21.6%, liver cancer is one of the deadliest. Since the 1980s, its incidence has tripled, largely due to Hepatitis B and C viruses. In 2021, the US reported 107,000 Hepatitis C cases. Additionally, bile duct cancer affects the liver, gall bladder, and small intestine. Last year, 29,380 Americans succumbed to these cancers.
3. Esophageal Cancer
Esophageal cancer has a survival rate of 21.7% within five years. Predominantly affecting older males, smoking, alcohol consumption, and acid reflux are significant risk factors. In the US, it caused 16,120 deaths last year.
Source: aajtak
4. Lung/Bronchus Cancer
Lung and bronchus cancer have a mere 25.4% five-year survival rate. It's the world's leading cancer killer, primarily due to smoking and radon gas exposure. Non-small cell lung cancer accounts for 80-85% of cases. Last year in the US, 127,000 deaths were reported from this cancer.
5. Acute Myeloid Leukemia
With a 31.7% five-year survival rate, this cancer arises from stem cell mutations in bone marrow. It's less frequent in those under 45. The main treatments are chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and bone marrow transplant. It led to 11,310 American deaths last year.
Source: aajtak
6. Brain/Nervous System Cancer
The five-year survival rate is 33.8%. Brain cancer forms from tumors; although rare, it's highly aggressive. Increasing age, weight, and obesity are risk factors. Treatment includes surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and targeted drug therapy. It caused 18,990 deaths in the US last year.
7. Stomach Cancer
Stomach cancer, also known as gastric cancer, has a 35.7% chance of five-year survival. Early detection offers staged treatments, more common in men over 60. Obesity, diet, and ethnicity play roles in its development. In the US last year, 11,130 people died from this cancer.
8. Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian cancer allows 50.8% of patients to survive five years. It occurs from cell mutations in the ovaries or fallopian tubes, particularly the pathways connecting ovaries to the uterus. It is one of the most dangerous for women, alongside lung and breast cancers. Last year, it claimed 13,270 lives in the US.
Source: aajtak
9. Myeloma
With a 59.8% five-year survival rate, this cancer affects immune plasma cells in bone marrow, causing soft tissue tumors akin to leukemia. As immunity weakens and antibody production halts, cancer spreads. Chemotherapy and targeted drugs are common treatments. In the US, it killed 12,590 last year.
10. Laryngeal Cancer
Laryngeal cancer sees 61.6% surviving beyond five years, occurring when cancerous cells form in the larynx, the voice box. Tobacco and alcohol are primary causes. Treatments involve radiation, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and sometimes surgery to remove tumors or the larynx itself. Last year, 3,820 Americans died from this cancer.
Source: aajtak
How Russia's Vaccine Aims to Assist in Recovery?
Russia claims success in crafting an mRNA cancer vaccine, which will be freely administered next year. Created by the Radiology Medical Research Center, this vaccine adapts to individual cancer profiles and isn't for general use. Made from RNA extracted from a patient's tumor, it aims to stimulate the immune system to destroy proteins associated with tumor formation. Globally, 20 million cancer cases emerged in 2022, causing 9.7 million deaths, with the highest from breast, colon, rectum, and prostate cancers.
Russia also faces a growing number of cancer cases, reporting 635,000 in 2022. Western countries are similarly developing personal cancer vaccines, with efforts underway in the US, UK, and Germany. Germany's BioNTech's BNT116 shows promise against lung cancer, while a US vaccine recently saved lives from glioblastoma. Moderna and Merck are jointly developing a skin cancer vaccine. Preventative vaccines exist worldwide, as India's Serum Institute works on a cervical cancer solution. Russia's innovative vaccine could herald a breakthrough in cancer treatment.
