Cancer is a group of more than 100 different diseases. Cancer occurs when cells become abnormal and keep dividing and keep forming more cells without control or order. All body organs are made up of cells which divide to produce more cells when needed. If these cells divide when new cells are not needed, they form a mass of excess tissue, called tumor. Tumors can be benign (not cancer) or malignant (cancer). These cells can invade and damage nearby tissue and organs. When this tumor spreads through blood stream or lymphatic system to form new tumor in other part of the body, it is called metastasis.

The doctor may use one method or a combination of methods. The choice of treatment depends on the type and location of the cancer, whether the disease spread, of the patient’s age and general health and other factors

Chronic kidney disease is permanent kidney damage due to injury or disease. CKD ranges from mild to severe. If CKD reaches the point of kidney failure, dialysis or a kidney transplant is needed to support life. Since CKD may worsen over time, early diagnosis and treatment can help slow down the damage, depending on the cause of the problem. If your doctor says you have a kidney problem, find out the medical name (and spelling) for your diagnosis, if you can. Knowing the name can help you look for more information.

Many people think that if their kidneys fail, they will die immediately. This used to be true 40 years ago when there were not enough dialysis machines to go around and medical knowledge about kidney disease was limited. It is no longer true today. How long you can live with CKD depends on your age, other health problems, and how involved you become in your care. Some people with early CKD never have kidney failure. Others reach kidney failure and live for decades with dialysis or kidney transplants. There are major advances in today's healthcare—we have better drugs, know more about how to slow down kidney failure, and have technically advanced dialysis machines. But the most important factor is still the individual who has the disease. Research shows that patients who become partners in their care live longer. So, ask questions, and explore with your doctor and care team the best way for you to help manage your disease

How good your life can be with CKD depends on you! In the early stages, CKD may have symptoms that are so subtle you don't even notice them. In later stages, fatigue, itching, loss of appetite, and other symptoms can reduce your quality of life—if you don't act. How? All of these symptoms can be treated. Learn what to watch for and tell your doctor, so you can get the help you need. You can also keep a good quality of life by following your treatment plan. For example, taking your medications in the right doses at the right times may help slow down your kidney disease. Your quality of life with CKD depends on your attitude, and how you accept the changes and take control of your health and your life.

Yes, you can live long and live well with dialysis. Many people—even those with family members on dialysis—don't know that there are several types of dialysis. You can choose a type of treatment that lets you keep doing all or most of the things you value. Some people with CKD put off dialysis as long as they can, because they are afraid. But people who start treatment before they are terribly ill and malnourished do much better. And people who are very sick before they start dialysis are often surprised to find that they feel much better a few weeks or months after starting dialysis. The unknown that you imagine is often much scarier than the reality. Learning as much as you can, and talking to patients who are doing well, will help you see that you can have a good life on dialysis.

Even healthy people complain of being tired. But people with CKD can be so exhausted that they fall asleep during the day—even after 8 to 10 hours of sleep at night. One reason for fatigue can be anemia, a shortage of oxygen-carrying red blood cells. People with CKD often have anemia because damaged kidneys make less of a hormone called erythropoietin (epoetin, or EPO). EPO signals the bone marrow to produce new red blood cells. Without a constant supply of new red blood cells, the body has less oxygen—so you are more tired, feel cold, can't concentrate, and are less able to fight disease. Untreated anemia can damage your heart, and heart disease is the leading cause of death for people with CKD. If your fatigue is due to anemia, your doctor may prescribe injections of a synthetic form of EPO.

Disability payments may sound like a pretty good deal, but most people find that disability pays much less than working—but your bills don't go away. Plus, once you get on disability, people worry about finding a job and risking losing their disability. So if you have CKD and you are working, try to keep your job if you can, or find a new one that fits better with your current situation. Work can make you feel like you're still you, even with kidney disease, and that you are still helping to support your family. Work may also be an important part of your social life. If your work offers health insurance, it may be easier for you to get good medical care and pay for medications. If you find that you feel too tired to work, see your doctor! Fatigue can be caused by anemia, which can be treated. Ask your employer if you need an accommodation—more breaks, a different shift time, or energy saving devices to keep your job.

No two people are alike, so asking questions is the best way to find out about your health. You'll also find a few basic ideas below, and you can add your own. If you write your questions and show the list to your doctor, you may be more likely to get them answered. Write down the answers, too—or have a family member come along to help you remember the answers.