Why does inflammation deteriorate into cancer? Which inflammations are more dangerous? Doctors tell you, please save

In life, we have heard that some diseases can cause inflammatory changes, and long-term chronic inflammation can progress to cancer. Why does inflammation deteriorate into cancer? Which inflammations are more dangerous? Let's discuss this issue! I hope everyone can recognize some of the causes of cancer and take targeted measures to prevent it.

What is inflammation? Inflammation is the body's most important means of resisting foreign bacteria or viruses. Through the inflammatory response, the body can mobilize various systemic and local factors to besiege the enemy (various pathogenic factors) and finally eliminate the enemy.

These inflammatory responses include the release of chemokines, the aggregation of immune cells, the dilation of local blood vessels, etc. In this case, the body hopes to eliminate the enemy in one fell swoop through the joint operations of the army group, which causes "acute inflammation" in medicine.

However, in many cases (especially when the immune function is low), a "protracted war" will develop between the immune system and pathogens, resulting in "chronic inflammation" locally.

The so-called "enemies" here also include "enemies" inside our bodies, such as cancer cells. Immunotherapy hopes to use this mechanism to fight cancer. In fact, immunotherapy has also achieved good results.

However, "inflammation" is also a double-edged sword. Many tests and data show that inflammation, especially chronic inflammation, is an important factor in causing cancer.

Why Inflammation Deteriorates into Cancer Chronic inflammation forms a "hotspot" in organs and tissues. From one perspective, this is our body's attempt to control pathogens within a certain range when it cannot defeat the enemy. However, such a long-term confrontation process will also bring many negative effects.

Chronic inflammation can not only cause immune cells to "tolerate" pathogens (viruses, cancer cells), but more seriously, most inflammatory factors can affect cell growth and division through receptors on the cell surface. Therefore, long-term stimulation of inflammatory factors can lead to local cell proliferation. This proliferation stimulation will eventually lead to the disappearance of some important proteins that control disordered cell growth.

Some common killing weapons used by immune cells, such as various free radicals, can also increase cell DNA mutations and lead cells to the path of no return to cancer. Immune cells promote local blood vessel growth by releasing certain cytokines, which also provide energy for the development of cancer. These conditions ultimately form a "microenvironment" that is conducive to the growth of cancer cells.

We now know that at least 15% to 20% of cancers are related to infection with pathogens (viruses, bacteria, parasites). For example, the relationship between hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and liver cancer, and the relationship between human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer. However, many people do not know that most viruses themselves do not have oncogenes.

For example, the hepatitis B virus itself does not have strong hepatotoxicity. The reason why the hepatitis B virus causes liver cancer is the result of the interaction with the immune system during the long-term chronic infection process. Long-term local inflammation eventually leads to the canceration of liver cells. Therefore, controlling local chronic inflammation is also an important part of preventing cancer.

Chronic inflammation is not only related to cancer, but also to many other diseases, such as cardiovascular disease. Although the accumulation of cholesterol in blood vessels is the main cause of vascular stenosis, the local chronic inflammation and damage of blood vessels caused by immune cells in the process of trying to clean up is also an important factor.

What these diseases have in common is that the immune system, which is normally used to prevent diseases and eliminate pathogens, has become a tool for producing pathogens and causing diseases. This is why a simple drug like aspirin can become a "magic drug" for preventing many diseases, including cardiovascular disease and even cancer. Because its mechanism of action lies in a common basis for these different diseases: chronic inflammation.

Which inflammations are prone to cancer? 1. Hepatitis. Hepatitis can easily increase the risk of liver cancer. For example, chronic hepatitis B and hepatitis C can directly lead to liver cancer. The virus will replicate in large quantities in the liver, causing chronic damage to the liver. If it is not treated in time, it will cause cirrhosis. If cirrhosis is not controlled, it will deteriorate into liver cancer.

2. Cervicitis. Not all patients with cervicitis will develop cancer. Generally, the chance of cervicitis caused by chlamydia or gonococci developing into cervical cancer is very small. However, if cervicitis is caused by HPV infection, it may develop into cervical cancer in about ten years if it is not treated. Therefore, you should pay attention to personal hygiene, choose loose and breathable underwear, and it is best to go to the hospital regularly for cervical cancer screening.

3. Gastritis. When the stomach is invaded by Helicobacter pylori, it will lead to peptic ulcer and gastritis, and eventually lead to gastric cancer. Helicobacter pylori is mainly transmitted through unclean food, unclean tableware and feces, so you should develop good hygiene habits and wash your hands before and after meals. If a physical examination finds that you have been infected with Helicobacter pylori, you must actively seek treatment.

4. Enteritis. Acute enteritis and chronic enteritis are often heard of enteritis in life, and there are still many such symptoms. Many people feel nausea or vomiting after eating, which is often a manifestation of intestinal discomfort. Most people will take medicine to relieve enteritis. In fact, for chronic ulcerative enteritis, it is very easy to cause cancer. Repeated recurrence during the treatment process will cause greater damage to the intestines, and eventually lead to the occurrence of colorectal cancer.

Therefore, when inflammation occurs in the body, do not simply think that it is a minor illness. It may be a major cancer, so you must be vigilant.