Cancer - Signs and Symptoms

As in any illness, cancer can be non-threatening if treated earlier. It is highly essential for people to know if they have cancer as early as possible. Know exactly the signs and symptoms.

There are a variety of signs that cancer already occurs in the body. It depends mostly on where the cancer is located, spread and how big the tumor is. Some signs and symptoms are shown through the skin such as a lump on the breast or testicle and change in mole or wart.

Cancer is many diseases, not just one. There are various different cancer types, about more than 100. They are named after the organ being attacked, or after the type of cell where it started. Examples are colon cancer, lung cancer and skin cancer.

Types and categories

Types of cancer are grouped into categories the main categories are: sarcoma – when cancer begins in the fat, muscle, bone, blood vessels, cartilage and other supportive or connective tissue; carcinoma – when cancer begins in skin or in tissues which cover or line the internal organs. In this case, signs and symptoms most likely appear in the skin. Lymphoma and myeloma – when it begins in the immune system; leukemia – when it begins in blood-forming tissue like the bone marrow and central nervous system – when it begins in the tissues of the spinal cord or the brain.

When and where symptoms are found

Oral cancers can be shown through white spots in the tongue or white patches inside the mouth. Many cancers are less apparent but can be felt. Brain tumors can be early detected because they affect cognitive functions that are important.

Pancreas cancers do not show much signs and symptoms and are detected late until they can cause pain when they push against nearby nerves or they interfere with a liver function, causing the skin and eyes to be colored yellow.

Signs can come out when a tumor grows and pushes against blood vessels and other organs. This is true with colon cancers that cause diarrhea, constipation and changes in the size of stools. Prostate or bladder cancers change the bladder function and can cause frequent or infrequent urination.

Since cancer interferes with the body’s normal hormone function, it is possible that it can also be presented with fatigue, fever, anemia, excessive sweating and unexplained weight loss. Hoarseness, coughing and short of breath can point to throat or lung cancer. Brain cancer signs and symptoms can be headaches, vertigo or seizures. With cancer, the liver can be enlarged, causing bones to be painful, brittle and easily break.