Genetics and Cancer Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Genetics and Cancer - Assignment Example Fever and headache reveal that the leukemia cells have spread up to the spinal cord. According to McCance & Huether (2014) chemotherapy and drug administration are the most appropriate treatment for this patient (p. 392-401). The commencement of modern cancer treatment revealed that pediatric and adult cancers have a considerable degree of variation. A chief variation is the higher 5-year survival rate for common pediatric cancers, when compared to common adult cancers. Current therapy of pediatric cancer cases, for instance acute lymphoblastic leukemia, have revealed a 5 year survival rate of children; as compared to adults who have the same condition to have a lower than 5 years survival rate. Childhood leukemia was viewed as a fatal condition 50 years ago, but currently approximately 70% of children with this condition have been cured (Agabegi & Ring, 2013 p. 355). Medical improvements have been made in the treatment of childhood cancers; however, little advancement has been made in adult cancer. This explains why adult cancer victims’ survival rate has remained constant during the years. Thus, due to the improvements done on pediatric cancer, there is a survival divergence with adult cancer; m aking adult cancer a public health concern (McCance & Huether, 2014 p. 442- 446). Adult and childhood cancers differ by phenotype and genotype. In addition, the physiologic anatomy and co-morbid medical conditions varies between adults and children. A biological difference between adult and pediatric cancers is via the microscopic observation of the cells. On observation, adult cancers are carcinomas originating from epithelial tissue. This includes breast, lung, ovarian, prostate, colo-rectal, and uterine. Childhood cancers are sarcomas originating from non- ectodermal embryonal tissue; this includes nerve tissue, lymph glands, bone marrow, muscle, and bone. In addition, the dichotomies of adults are mature, and that of children are embryonic (Brashers, 2006 p.