What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Cancer?

A symptom is an indication of disease, illness, injury, or that something is not right in the body. Symptoms are felt or noticed by a patient, but not easily observed by anyone else. For example chills, weakness, achiness, shortness of breath, and a cough are symptoms that might indicate pneumonia.

A sign is also an indication of illness, injury, or that something is not right in the body. But, signs are defined as observations made by a physician, nurse or other health care professional. Fever, rapid breathing rate, abnormal breathing sounds heard through a stethoscope are signs that may indicate pneumonia.

The presence of one symptom or sign may not provide enough information to suggest a cause. For example a rash in a child could be a symptom of a number of things including poison ivy, a generalized infection like rubella, an infection limited to the skin, or a food allergy. But, if the rash is associated with a high fever, chills, achiness and a sore throat, then all of the symptoms together provide a better picture of the illness. In many cases, a patient's signs and symptoms do not provide enough clues to determine the cause of an illness, and medical tests such as x-rays, blood tests, or a biopsy may be needed.


How Does Cancer Produce Symptoms?

Cancer is a group of diseases that may cause virtually any sign or symptom. As cancer progresses, it goes through many stages, producing symptoms as it goes. The symptom produced will depend on the size of the cancer, the location of the cancer, and the surrounding organs or structures. If a cancer metastasizes (spreads), then symptoms will be very different, again depending on size, location, and surrounding structures. As a cancer grows, it begins to exert pressure on nearby organs, blood vessels and nerves. This pressure creates some of the signs and symptoms of cancer. If the cancer is in a critical area, such as certain parts of the brain, even the smallest tumor can produce early symptoms.

Sometimes cancers form in locations where symptoms may not be produced until the cancer has grown quite large. For example, some pancreatic cancers do not produce symptoms until they begin to grow around nearby nerves, causing a backache. Unfortunately by the time a pancreatic cancer causes back pain, it has usually reached an advanced stage. A cancer may cause generalized symptoms such as fever, fatigue, weight loss, etc. The cancer cells may release substances that alter metabolism. Or, the cancer may cause the immune system to react in ways that produce these symptoms.

Sometimes, cancer cells release substances into the bloodstream that cause symptoms not generally thought to result from cancers. For example, some cancers of the pancreas can release substances which affect blood clotting and cause blood clots to develop in veins of the legs. Some lung cancers produce hormone-like substances that affect blood calcium levels, affecting nerves and muscles and causing weakness and dizziness.


Why Is It Important To Recognize Symptoms?

The treatment of cancer is most successful when the cancer is detected as early as possible. It is possible to detect some cancers before symptoms occur. The American Cancer Society, and other organizations, encourage the early detection of certain cancers before symptoms occur by recommending a cancer-related checkup and specific early detection tests for people who do not have any symptoms. For additional information on early detection tests, see the American Cancer Society document on Cancer Detection Guidelines. However, these recommended early detection tests do not diminish the importance of reporting any symptoms to your doctor. Sometimes symptoms are ignored because the person is either frightened by their implications and refuses to seek medical help or does not recognize the symptom as being significant. It is very easy for individuals to think that a backache or fatigue is a "part of life" or that a breast mass is probably a cyst that will go away by itself. Whenever a symptom occurs, it should not be discounted or overlooked. This is especially true if the symptoms has been going on for a period of time, such as weeks.


General cancer symptoms

It is important to know what some of the general (nonspecific) signs and symptoms of cancer are. They include unexplained weight loss, fever, fatigue, pain, changes in the skin.

Unexplained weight loss: Most people with cancer will experience weight loss at some time with their disease. An unexplained weight loss of about 10 pounds may be the first sign of cancer, particularly cancers of the pancreas, stomach, esophagus, or lung.

Fever: Fever is very common with cancer. Almost all patients with cancer will experience fever at some time, particularly if the cancer or its treatment affects the immune system and reduces resistance to infection. Less often, fever may be an early sign of cancer, such as with Hodgkin's disease.

Fatigue: Fatigue may be a significant symptom as the cancer progresses. It may occur early, especially if the cancer is causing a chronic loss of blood as in some colon cancer or stomach cancers.


Pain

Pain may be an early sign with some cancers, such as bone cancers or testicular cancer. Most often, pain is a symptom of advanced disease. Skin clues: In addition to cancers of the skin, some internal cancers can produce visible skin signs such as darkening of the skin, or hyperpigmentation; reddening, or erythema; itching; and excessive hair growth.


Specific cancer symptoms

In addition to the above general symptoms, the American Cancer Society has established the following seven common symptoms that could lead to a diagnosis of cancer.

1. A change in bowel habits or bladder function. Chronic constipation, diarrhea, or a change in the size of the stool may indicate colon cancer. Pain with urination, blood in the urine, or change in bladder function could be related to bladder or prostate cancer. Any changes in bladder or bowel function should be reported to your doctor.

2. Sores that do not heal. Skin cancers may bleed and resemble sores that do not heal. A persistent sore in the mouth could be an oral cancer and should be dealt with promptly, especially for patients who smoke, chew tobacco, or frequently drink alcohol. Sores on the penis or vagina should not be overlooked.

3. Unusual bleeding or discharge. Unusual bleeding can occur in early or advanced cancer. Blood in the sputum is a sign of lung cancer. Blood in the stool could be a sign of colon or rectal cancer. Cancer of the lining of the uterus (endometrial cancer) or cervix can cause vaginal bleeding. Blood in the urine is a sign of possible bladder or kidney cancer. A bloody discharge from the nipple may be a sign of breast cancer.

4. Thickening or lump in breast or other parts of the body. Many cancers can be felt through the skin, particularly in the breast, testicle, lymph nodes (glands), and the soft tissues of the body. A lump or thickening may be an early or late sign of cancer. Any lump or thickening should be reported to your doctor. You may be feeling a lump that is an early cancer that could be treated successfully.

5. Indigestion or difficulty swallowing. These symptoms may indicate cancer of the esophagus, stomach, or pharynx (throat).

6. Recent change in a wart or mole. A change in color, loss of definite borders, or an increase in size should be reported to your doctor without delay. The skin lesion may be a melanoma which, if diagnosed early, can be treated successfully.

7. A nagging cough or hoarseness. A persistent cough that does not go away is a sign of lung cancer. Hoarseness can be a sign of cancer of the larynx (voice box) or thyroid. These are often late signs of cancer.
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