East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1914-03-19
BY Tit SCISSORS
WHAT CANCER Is.

The word cancer" though It fig
ures largely in popular speech. is
used with less and less frequency in
medical literature. There is proba-
bly, no word comprehensive enough
to include all the kinds OF abnormal
growths to which the human frame is
subject. Cancer is merely one shape
in which this tendency to malforma-
ton manifests itself The human
body. in its ideal condition. Is a sym
metrical product 1t consists Of a
multitude of parts, each developing.
not only with reference to itself. but
in perfect harmony with the rest OF
the organism A subtle influence,
known as the power of organization.
regulates this highly important mat
ter. An arm. leg. a nose, a chin
any organ or member which one cares
to name-does not develop independ
entity. but preserves important rela-
tions with the rest Of the body Our
four fingers and thumb have con-
stantiy In mind the rights Of one an
other: when one reaches a certain
size. If does no, keep on growing, ouf
stope: IL it still went on, a single
finger would reach length Of sew
sral feet IN lifetime.
Any observant person. however. II
aware that this law is constantly vio-
lated. On almost any part of the
body little independent growths start
into existence. These are composed
of minute groups Of rebellious cells;
small colonies which, for some reason
ignore this law Of development and
start on an independent existence of
their own They serve no physiol-
ogical purpose; when harmless, as
thsy frequently are. they are merely
unconvenieht blemishes; when dan.
gerous theS end by destroying NE
Mid manifestations OF this D.wless
tendency are the queer formation.
commonly known as warts and moles
There are other more noteworthy
proturbances. such as wens,' thai
grow inexplicably, frequently upon
the scalp. reach a certain size and
then stop. This latter growth De
longs to the general class OF tumor!
known as benign" They are be
ni9n simply because, after deyelopini
sluggishly to a certain point, theil
| growth is mysteriously arrested b
tween benign tumors and the mos
malignant cancers there is only thi
difference: that the latter have tn
power of unlimited growth: The tru
cancer. once started on its riotous ca
reer. keeps on and digs deep int
healthy surrounding tissue and De
stroys II. until finally for variety o
reasons, IL kills the patient In som
cases a benign growth which has re
mained quiescent for years suddenl
develops a new vitality and become
| malignant There are those WI
maintain, though the occurrence
. certainly rare, that a harmless wal
! may sometimes develop into genu
, inc cancer. The point to be brougf
in mind is that all these abnorm;
growths are related; that the onl
thing that makes one malignant an
another not is this tendency to kee
growing. A genuine cancer. In its T
nal stages, has another development
II no longer confines its activity
the original seat, but starts new car
GERS in other parts OF the body. Ce
3 tain groups Of cancer cells brea
awav from the primary headquarter
: escape into the blood stream, ar
start new growths elsewhere. Tn
E is the phenomenon known as "gei
. eralized cancer" This condition
8 i'm mportant In any discussion Of rad
y um. It may as well be said here TIL
radium has no favorable effect u
on cancer which has reached tn
"generaiized" stage.-The World
: Work.