Doctor's Notes on 18 Common Cancer Symptoms and Signs
Cancer is the second most common cause of death after heart disease. Cancer is more likely to be curable when detected early. Risk factors for cancer include smokers, heavy alcohol use, high sun exposure, and genetics.
Cancer often has no specific symptoms, so it is important to limit their risk factors and undergo appropriate cancer screening. The best way to fight cancer is prevention and early detection. Some common symptoms of different cancers may include persistent cough or blood-tinged saliva (cancer of the lung, head, and neck), changed in bowel habits (colon cancer), blood in the stool (colorectal cancer), unexplained anemia (bowel cancers), breast lump or discharge (breast cancer), lumps in the testicles (testicular cancer), changes in urination (prostate cancer or bladder cancer), blood in the urine (bladder or kidney cancer), hoarseness (throat cancer), change in a wart or a mole (skin cancer), indigestion or difficulty swallowing (esophageal cancer), unusual vaginal bleeding or discharge (uterine cancer), and Back pain, pelvic pain, bloating, or indigestion (ovarian cancer). Other nonspecific symptoms of cancers include persistent lumps or swollen glands, unexpected weight loss, night sweats, fever, continued itching in the anal or genital area, non-healing sores, and headaches.
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Bladder Cancer
Bladder cancer originates within the bladder, and may have several different causes, including smoking, workplace chemical exposures, diet, and the herb Aristolochia fangchi. Though there are several types of bladder cancer, cancer is most likey to develop in the interior lining of the bladder. Treatment includes a variety of options, including radiation, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and biological therapy. -
Bronchitis (Chronic)
Bronchitis is inflammation of the air passages in the lungs. There are several viruses and bacteria that cause bronchitis. Exposure to pollutants or tobacco smoke are also risks. Bronchitis is contagious if it is viral or bacterial. It is not contagious if it is due to smoking, air pollution, and other inhaled irritants. Symptoms of bronchitis include cough, sore throat, wheezing, fever, chills, etc. Treatment for bronchitis depends on the cause. -
Colon Cancer
The human colon is a muscular, tube-shaped organ measuring about 4 feet long. It extends from the end of your small bowel to your anus. Most colon cancers start as adenomatous polyps that turn into adenocarcinomas. Colon cancer (bowel cancer) is typically diagnosed through a colonoscopy or other type of endoscopic procedures. Treatment methods include surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. -
Coughs (Acute and Chronic)
A cough is a symptom of an underlying disease or condition. A chronic or persistent cough may signal certain lung conditions that should be evaluated by a healthcare professional. Common causes of coughs include infection, allergies, lung disease, medications, and GERD (reflux). Acute coughs are categorized as infectious or non-infectious. Chronic cough (persistent cough) have a variety of causes and should be evaluated by physician. Treatment of cough, acute cough, chronic or persistent cough depends on the cause of the cough. -
Esophageal Cancer
Two types of tumors affect the esophagus: squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. Symptoms of esophageal cancer include difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), weight loss, central chest pain, pain upon swallowing, vomiting, chronic cough, and symptoms of gastrointestinal bleeding. Esophageal cancer is treated by surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. -
Fever (in Adults)
A fever is a body temperature of 100.4 F or greater. A fever may be caused by a virus, bacteria, fungus, blood clot, tumor, drug, or the environment. Treatment of fever in adults usually involves ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or aspirin. -
Night Sweats (in Men and Women)
Night sweats refer to excess sweating occurring during the night. Causes include menopause, infections such as TB, appendicitis and diverticulitis, cancer; medications like aspirin, other NSAIDs, and antidepressants, diabetes, low testosterone, and hormone disorders. Depending on the cause, in addition to sweating at night, symptoms may include flushing, fever, or chills. Treatment depends on the underlying cause. -
Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian cancer occurs when tumors in the female reproductive organs, the ovaries, grow out of control. Doctors aren't sure what causes ovarian cancer, but heredity plays a role. Symptoms include: Pelvic pain or pressure, Pain with intercourse, Abdominal swelling and bloating, Urinary frequency, Constipation, Ascites (collection of fluid in the abdomen), Loss of appetite, Feeling full after eating little, Gas and/or diarrhea, Nausea and vomiting, and Abnormalities in menstruation. Treatment may include surgery followed by chemotherapy. -
Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer often has no symptoms. Screening includes a digital rectal examination, PSA, and urinalysis. Treatment depends upon age, the patient's medical condition, and whether the tumor has metastasized. Risk factors for prostate cancer include advanced age, race, family history, infection with STDs, high-fat diet, and chemical exposure. -
Skin Cancer
Skin cancer, the most common cancer, happens when skin cells start growing out of control, usually as a result of too much ultraviolet light exposure from the sun or tanning booths. Of the three types of skin cancer -- basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and melanoma -- melanoma is the deadliest. Surgery is the most common treatment for skin cancer. -
Testicular Cancer
Testicular cancer is a cancer of the male sex organs essential for producing testosterone, libido and other crucial functions. Cancer is usually in only one testicle, the tumor is malignant if it begins to subsume the healthy tissue. Malignant testicular tumors can metastasize to other organs. Testicular cancer is a rare cancer with a high cure rate. -
Vaginal Bleeding (Abnormal Vaginal Bleeding Between Periods)
In women, abnormal vaginal bleeding when is when they are not on their period (menstruation). Symptoms of abnormal vaginal bleeding outside of your period include red blood on the underwear or pajamas, pelvic or abdominal pain, and excessive pain from menstruating, or if you are pregnant. Causes of abnormal vaginal bleeding include unbalanced hormones, during pregnancy, after trauma, uterine fibroids, menopause, and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Treatment for abnormal bleeding depends on the cause of the bleeding. Talk to your doctor or another healthcare professional if you have any abnormal vaginal bleeding.
REFERENCE:
Kasper, D.L., et al., eds. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 19th Ed. United States: McGraw-Hill Education, 2015.