Ian Peate is a Professor of Nursing and Independent Consultant, formerly Head of the School of Nursing, Midwifery and Healthcare, University of West London

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• Contents IntroductionDefining cancerThe nature of cancerThe biology of cancerCancer cellsDifferentiationSection summaryTumoursBenign tumoursMalignant tumoursHow malignant tumours grow and spreadLocal growth and damage to nearby tissuesAgeSexOverall health statusImmune system functionCase study 1 Gerald FergusSpread to the lymphatic system and the lymph nodesSpread to other parts of the bodySection summaryAetiology of CancerCancer causing substances (carcinogens)SmokingAlcoholOccupational exposureDietSunHormonesStaging and grading of cancerStagingStaging and investigationsRadiologyComputerised Tomography Scan (CT Scan)Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)UltrasoundPositron Emission Tomography (PET)PathologyEndoscopy and surgeryGrading and investigationsSection summaryCancer treatmentSurgeryChemotherapyClasses of chemotherapeutic drugsSide effectsRadiotherapyBiological therapiesBone marrow and stem cell transplantsHormonesand hormone antagonistsSection summaryCancer fast factsBreast cancerBowel cancer (also known as colorectal cancer)Lung cancerProstate cancer Caring for people with cancerPalliative care and end of life careSection summaryTerminologyResources