# How does cancer kill?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-cancer-kill/208569>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [October 20, 2003, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-cancer-kill/208569 "2003-10-20T19:44:06Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![CrankyAsAnOldMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crankyasanoldman/32/11670_2.png) [@CrankyAsAnOldMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrankyAsAnOldMan)\
**Post date:** [October 20, 2003, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-cancer-kill/208569/1 "2003-10-20T19:44:06Z")

</div>

Pretty much what the subject says: how, actually, does a person die from cancer? I know cancer can start in any number of places, but when it metastasizes and kills a person, is the overall process the same? Or does it vary?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\
**Post date:** [October 20, 2003, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-cancer-kill/208569/2 "2003-10-20T19:52:04Z")

</div>

If I remember correctly from the book _How We Die_, the cancer cells take over an organ (brain, lung, liver, whatever) and replace the healthy cells, till that organ can no longer function.

I’m not sure how blood-borne cancers work . . . Medical types, am I anywhere near correct?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\
**Post date:** [October 20, 2003, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-cancer-kill/208569/3 "2003-10-20T19:58:40Z")

</div>

Based on what I learned when my mother was dying, I believe it can take four forms:

1. Specific organ failure – the tumors in the lungs, liver, pancreas or whatever grow so large that they interfere with the organ’s normal functioning.

2)Weakened immune system – this may be more caused by chemo or radiation therapy, but I believe even without the therapy, malignancies can weaken the immune system enough that the patient becomes unable to deal with secondary infections.

1. Overall weakness – the tumors place so much stress on the bodies ability to supply oxygen, nourishment, etc. that the patient simply can’t provide for his/her own metabolic needs anymore.

2. Pain – depending on the tumor, the pain can become so severe that the patient no longer can eat, leading to malnutrition and dehydration. A general weakened condition follows.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![KarlGauss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/karlgauss/32/3713_2.png) [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\
**Post date:** [October 20, 2003, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-cancer-kill/208569/4 "2003-10-20T20:17:50Z")

</div>

[Exactly how does cancer kill](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=189749&highlight=cancer). See also the thread cited therein.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![CrankyAsAnOldMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crankyasanoldman/32/11670_2.png) [@CrankyAsAnOldMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrankyAsAnOldMan)\
**Post date:** [October 20, 2003, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-cancer-kill/208569/5 "2003-10-20T20:46:46Z")

</div>

> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by KarlGauss \*  
> \*\*[Exactly how does cancer kill](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=189749&highlight=cancer). See also the thread cited therein. \*\*

Thanks, Karl. I feel sheepish for not searching.