The cause of cancer pain is hidden in the genes
Last reviewed: 30.05.2018
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In severe forms of cancer, a person experiences severe pain, which even strong painkillers can not cope with. In Toronto, a group of researchers found out what exactly causes the pains of such force. In the course of the work, the scientists established that the TMPRSS2 gene responsible for the level of pain covers the malignant formation. Such a gene was detected on tumors with cancer of the prostate, head, neck.
In the course of the study, the scientists found that the TMPRSS2 gene interacts with the nerve receptors, which causes severe pain. At the same time, scientists also found an interesting fact that the more activity of a gene, the stronger the pain of oncological patients.
During the study of patients with prostate cancer specialists found that when the gene TMPRSS2 is present, patients feel incredible pain, while the gene itself shows greater sensitivity to male sex hormones.
This study, which made it possible to detect a gene that triggers pain, will help in the future develop effective analgesics for cancer patients. The scientists plan to develop a drug that could block the activity of the gene TMPRSS2 and its ability to interact with nerve receptors.
Studies show that patients with head and neck cancer experience the most severe pains, in third place is prostate cancer.
With melanoma (skin cancer), a minimal level of pain is observed.
About the genes responsible for the appearance of pain, scientists started talking last year. Then the specialists managed to find out that the more active the gene is, the stronger the feeling of pain in a person and, correspondingly, with the weak work of such genes - below the threshold of pain.
Oncology today occupies a leading position among all diseases. Practically there is no person who does not know what a cancer is. Some forms of cancer tumors occur more often, for example, breast, lung or prostate cancer.
Modern medicine allows you to treat quite complex cases, but the outcome of treatment can affect several factors: the qualification of the doctor, the chosen method of treatment, the technical base of the medical institution. But, nevertheless, the main factor of successful treatment is the timely diagnosis and treatment of the disease.
The majority of oncological diseases are asymptomatic and experts recommend that everyone, without exception, monitor their health and undergo a regular examination, especially when they reach the critical age. Women 45 to 70 years should undergo a mammographic breast examination every two years, which reduces cancer mortality by 22%, thanks to early diagnosis of the disease. Men from the age of 50 must take a blood test each year for prostate cancer cancer markers and examine the prostate.
If a man suffers from chronic urological diseases, the examination for prostate cancer should begin at the age of 40.