The body provides us alerts of injury, disorders, and diseases through signs and symptoms. Signs like fever, hormonal imbalance are estimated by someone else. But symptoms like fatigue, malaise, pain are noticeable by the affected individuals only.
Cancer is a disease condition that has a variety of signs and symptoms depending upon the size, affected organ or tissue, and its metastatic nature (spread). Spreading of cancer to other organs may cause signs or symptoms in different parts of the body.
How do signs and symptoms appear in cancer?
Cancer growth pushes adjoining organs, nerves, and blood vessels. The generated pressure for this leads to signs and symptoms of cancer.
Cancer-associated signs and symptoms are fever, weight loss, and fatigue. These conditions are arrived due to uncontrolled cell growth that uses energy to produce in the body. Otherwise, cancer can modify the energy production level in the body. Cancer alters immune functioning that also causes signs and symptoms.
What are the early signs and symptoms of cancer?
Early signs and symptoms of cancer may appear due to other things rather than cancer itself. Any abnormal signs and symptoms that do not go away or worsen with time can be alert to cancer. It is always suggested that consult a doctor to figure out the underlying cause because early detection of cancer improves the rate of cure and duration of survival. For example, lymph nodes are tiny vessels that are normally not palpable but take an important part in immune system functioning by capturing harmful substances. But infection, inflammatory diseases like cancer can cause lymph node inflammation. The large-sized lymph nodes are big enough to feel by touching. In some cases, swelling of lymph nodes is noticeable under the skin. Trapping of cancer at the lymph nodes may the reason for inflammation. Therefore, a lymph node lump can be an early sign of cancer, and that need to clinically figure out for early detection. Following are some common signs and symptoms that arrived at an early stage of cancer, but ignorance often delays cancer detection. However, the following sign and symptoms can also occur due to other health issues. It is always better to consult with a doctor to know the underlying disease condition.
- Unexplained weight gain or weight loss
- Continue fatigue condition that does not go away even after adequate rest
- Eating disorders like anorexia, swallowing difficulty, abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting
- Lumps formation at any part of the body.
- Lump on breast
- Unknown reason of pain that continues for a prolonged period or worsens with time
- Changes occur in the skin like a swelling lump that bleeds or becomes scaly. Newly develops moles on the skin surface, skin wound does not heal, or occurrence of jaundice (skin and/or eyes turn yellowish).
- Hoarseness and continuous coughing exist and do not go with the regular treatment process.
- Unexplained unusual brushing or bleeding
- Alter bowel habits like constipation, diarrhea, or stool appearance change from normal.
- Bladder health alters that causes painful micturition, blood passes through urine, urine passage frequent or less often.
- Fever
- Headaches
- Night sweats
- Vision or hearing difficulty
- Bleeding, pain, numbness, or sores in the oral cavity
However, some cancer occurs develop without early signs and symptoms. Therefore, medical health experts suggest performing some cancer-related check-ups and certain tests periodically to avoid delayed detection. Another important suggestion does not get anxious if cancer screening tests show a positive result. Advanced medical science brings many cancer treatments that can completely cure cancer, but detection is necessary.
