Signs and Symptoms of Cancer
Cancer can cause a variety of signs and symptoms. The type of sign or symptom depends on the size of the cancer, the location of the cancer, how much it is affecting neighboring organs and other body parts and whether it has metastasized (spread). Many signs and symptoms associated with cancer may be caused by non-cancerous conditions.
As cancer grows, it begins to affect nearby organs, blood vessels and nerves. When these areas are compromised, body parts are pushed or their normal function is compromised. Cancer may also cause generalized or non-specific signs and symptoms that may be caused by immune system reactions.
General signs of cancer include:
Fatigue. The most common symptom experienced by patients diagnosed with cancer is fatigue. It typically occurs as the cancer progresses, but may develop earlier. This commonly occurs with caners that cause chronic blood loss, including some colon or stomach cancers, or as a side effect of cancer treatment.
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Unexplained weight changes. Most people with cancer will lose weight at some point. Unexplained weight loss of 10 lbs may be the first sign of cancer. It is especially common in patients with stomach cancer, lung cancer, esophagus and pancreatic cancer because of the decreased food intake.
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Fever. Fever may be an early sign of some cancers, such as Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Although it occurs often in patients with cancer, fever is more common in the advanced stages of the disease. Fever may develop as a result of affects on the immune system and reduced resistance to infection.
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Pain. Pain usually develops during the advanced stages of cancer. However it may occur early in bone cancer or testicular cancer.
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Skin changes. Skin cancer, as well as other types of cancer can cause a variety of changes in the skin. Common skin changes include: darkening of the skin (hyperpigmentation), jaundice (yellowing of the skin), Erythema (reddening of the skin), itching or excessive hair growth.
Other common signs and symptoms include:
Changes in bladder or bowel function: chronic constipation, diarrhea, blood or urine in stool, change in the size of stool; painful urination, more or less frequent urination. These changes my indicate colon cancer, bladder cancer, prostate cancer or a variety of other non-cancerous conditions.
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Sores that do not heal. Cancers can cause sores in a variety of areas including the skin, mouth, penis or vagina. Sores in these areas may indicate skin cancer, oral cancer, penile cancer or vulvar cancer among other conditions.
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Unusual bleeding or discharge. Blood in the phlegm, blood in the stool, blood in the urine, unusual vaginal bleeding, bloody discharge from the nipple. Unusual bleeding can occur in the early or advanced stages of cancer. It can be a sign of lung cancer, colon cancer, rectal cancer, cervical cancer, endometrial cancer, bladder cancer, kidney cancer, breast cancer, and a variety of other conditions.
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Lump or thickening. Many types of cancer can be felt as thickening or a lump. Often these skin changes are detectable in the breast, testicle, lymph nodes and soft tissues of the body. Patients may benefit from performing monthly breast or testicular self-examinations.
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Indigestion or difficulty swallowing. These symptoms may indicate a variety of conditions including esophageal cancer, stomach cancer and pharyngeal cancer.
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Changes in a wart or mole. May indicate skin cancer (melanoma). Look for change in color, shape or size. If the border of a lesion becomes less definite, it may be a sign of cancer.
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Persistant cough or hoarseness. These symptoms may indicate a variety of conditions including lung cancer, thyroid cancer or laryngeal cancer.
Early symptoms of cancer, such as fatigue maybe overlooked because they may resemble symptoms of more common illnesses. Patients are encouraged to contact their physician when they experience any symptom of cancer. This is particularly important when symptoms have been present for a considerable amount of time, such as weeks. The earlier cancer is diagnosed, the better the chance for successful treatment.
