signs and symptoms of cancer

signs and symptoms of cancer

Both signs and symptoms are signs of injury, disease, illness - signs that something is not right in the body.

A sign is a sign that may be seen by someone else - perhaps a loved one, or a doctor, nurse, or other health care professional. For example, fever, rapid breathing and abnormal lung sounds heard through a stethoscope may be symptoms of pneumonia.

A symptom is a sign that is felt or seen by a person who has it, but cannot be seen easily by anyone else. For example, weakness, pain, and shortness of breath may be symptoms of pneumonia.

Having a sign or symptom may not be enough to figure out what causes it. For example, a rash in a child can be a sign of many things, such as poison ivy, measles, a skin infection, or a food allergy. But if the child sees other signs and symptoms like high fever, chills, pain and sore throat, the doctor can take a better picture of the disease. Sometimes, the signs and symptoms of a patient still do not give enough clues to the doctor to ascertain what causes the disease. Then medical tests such as X-rays, blood tests or biopsies may be required.

How are the signs and symptoms of cancer?

Cancer is a group of diseases that can cause almost any signs or symptoms. The signs and symptoms will depend on where the cancer is, how big it is and how much it affects the organs or tissues. If the cancer has spread (metastasized), signs or symptoms may appear in different parts of the body.

As the cancer progresses, it may begin to emphasize nearby organs, blood vessels, and nerves. This pressure causes some signs and symptoms of cancer. If the cancer is in an important area, such as some part of the brain, even the smallest tumor can cause symptoms.

But sometimes cancer starts in places where it does not cause any signs or symptoms until it grows large enough. Pancreas cancers, for example, usually do not cause symptoms until they are large enough that they press on the surrounding nerves or organs (this causes back or abdominal pain). Others may develop around the bile duct and stop the flow of bile. This makes the eyes and skin look pale (jaundice). As long as a pancreatic cancer causes signs or symptoms like these, it usually occurs in an advanced stage. This means that it has spread beyond the place it started - the pancreas.

A cancer can also cause symptoms such as fever, extreme fatigue (fatigue), or weight loss. This may be because cancer cells use too much of the body's energy supply, or they may release substances that change the way the body makes energy from food. Cancer can also cause the immune system to react in ways that produce these signs and symptoms.

Sometimes, cancer cells release substances into the bloodstream that cause symptoms that are not usually associated with cancer. For example, some cancers of the pancreas can release substances that cause blood clots in the veins of the feet. Some lung cancers make hormones such as substances that increase calcium levels in the blood. It affects the nerves and muscles, making a person feel weak and dizzy.

How are signs and symptoms helpful?

Treatment is best when diagnosed early - while it is still small and less likely to spread to other parts of the body. This is often a better chance for treatment, especially if the cancer can be removed with surgery.

A good example of the importance of early detection of cancer is melanoma skin cancer. It can be easy to remove if it has not developed deep into the skin. The 5-year survival rate at this early stage (the percentage of people surviving at least 5 years after diagnosis) is about 98%. Once melanoma has spread to other parts of the body, the 5-year survival rate falls to about 16%.

Sometimes people ignore the symptoms. Perhaps they do not know that the symptom may be wrong. Or they may be fearful of what the symptoms may be and do not want to seek medical help. Maybe they just can't afford to get medical care.

Some symptoms, such as tiredness or cough, are more likely to be caused by something other than cancer. Symptoms may seem insignificant, especially if a clear cause or problem remains only for a short time. In the same way, a person may reason that a breast lump-like symptom is possibly a cyst that will relieve itself. But no symptoms should be ignored or ignored, especially if it is prolonged or worsens.

Most likely, the symptoms are not caused by cancer, but it is necessary that they be investigated, just in case. If cancer is not the cause, a doctor can help find out what the cause is and, if necessary, treat it.

Sometimes, it is possible to detect cancer before symptoms occur. The American Cancer Society and other health groups recommend cancer-related investigations and some tests for people, even if they have no symptoms.