V3I10P15

Comprehensive Humanized Review of Cancer: Anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, classification, Drug Therapy, Recent Advances

Donthu Susmitha^1*, Shaik Reshma²

Abstract

Cancer is a broad group of diseases charact erized by abnormal cellular growth, survival and, in malignant disease, invasion and spread to distant tissues. It is not a single disease; tumors arising in different organs may differ considerably in their genetic alterations, biological behavior and response to treatment. This review presents cancer from a pharmacy-oriented perspective, beginning with normal cellular regulation and progressing through carcinogenesis, risk factors, classification, diagnosis, staging and treatment. Conventional approaches such as surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy remain important, while endocrine therapy, targeted medicines and immunotherapy have increased the ability to tailor treatment to tumor biology. Recent developments in biomarker-directed treatment, immune checkpoint inhibition, cellular therapy and alternative drug-delivery approaches show the movement of oncology toward precision medicine. t the same time, toxicity, drug resistance, cost and unequal access continue to limit outcomes. Supportive and palliative care therefore remain essential components of cancer management. For pharmacy students, understanding cancer is particularly valuable because safe anticancer therapy requires knowledge of pharmacology, drug interactions, adverse effects, monitoring and patient education.

Keywords:

Cancer; malignancy; carcinogenesis; chemotherapy; targeted therapy; immunotherapy; biomarkers; precision medicine; drug resistance; supportive care