The horrific realities of cancer development in the human body have been explained in a YouTube animation.
Designed by Dr Vinay Samuel Gaikwad, the simulation shows how cellular mutation is the root cause of this worldwide killer that takes thousands of lives each year.
While cancer mortality rates have generally decreased, according to research by the American Cancer Society, 2,041,910 new cancer cases and 618,120 cancer deaths are estimated to occur in the US in 2025.
In the video, the narrator explained: "These mutations can cause the cells to grow and divide uncontrollably. As the mutated cells multiply, they can form a mass called a tumor."
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Tumors come in two forms: benign or malignant, with the former being non-cancerous and do not invade other tissues of the body.
Malignant masses can be life-threatening, though, as they like to spread through surrounding organs in a process that's known as metastasis.
"The exact cause of these genetic mutations is often not known, however, certain risk factors can increase the likelihood of developing cancer," the voice continued.
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This scientific breakdown was too much for some YouTube viewers, as one commented: "So scary!"
"What came before hospitals?" questioned a rather panicked individual.
A similarly gloomy simulation posted by Dr Paulien Moyaert back in May documented how being diagnosed with cancer can lead to death.
Dr Moyaert's video displayed how the cancer can grow and lead to organ failure - like if it travels into the digestive system, this can prevent digestion and the absorption of food.
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A tumor can also block feces from being expelled, which may quickly turn fatal without surgery.
Another example this dark simulation provided was when cancer affects the pancreatic ducts, horrifyingly causing the pancreas to 'digest itself'.
Pancreatic cancer is therefore considered one of the most painful and deadliest types of cancer.
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When cancer gets into the lungs, patients can pass from asphyxiation when there's not enough oxygen circulating the body.
"Having cancer impairs immunity," the explainer added. "And chemotherapy compounds the problem by suppressing the bone marrow - the factory where white blood cells are produced."
Not only can bone marrow be impaired by chemo, but the 'infiltration of cancer cells' as well.
"When cancer grows in the bone marrow, there will eventually be inadequate bone healthy bone marrow to make blood cells," the simulation explained.
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Health repercussions for affected bone marrow includes anemia, a drop in white blood cells - which typically fight infection and keep bacteria under a control - and a decrease in platelets which prevents the body from controlling any abnormal bleeding.
The video also dipped into cachexia, which involves 'wasting' away after toxins released by the cancer cells suppress appetite and affect the digestion of food.
This is why many cancer patients suffer rapid weight and muscle loss.
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It said: "Cachexia is estimated to occur in 50 percent of all cancer patients and is thought to directly cause up to 30 percent of cancer deaths because of heart of respiratory failure related to muscle loss."
It can also be attributed to 50 percent of deaths in patients with gastrointestinal tract cancers and up to 80 percent of deaths in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer.
Treatment can control it for 'a long time' but if the cancer continues to grow, 'it can become too much for the body to cope with'.
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact the American Cancer Society on 1-800-227-2345 or via their live chat feature, available 24/7 every day of the year.
Dan Seddon