You should see your doctor for regular checkups and not wait
for
problems to occur. But you should also know that the following
symptoms
may be associated with cancer: changes in bowel or bladder
habits, a sore
that does not heal, unusual bleeding or discharge, thickening
or lump in
the breast or any other part of the body, indigestion or
difficulty
swallowing, obvious change in a wart or mole, or nagging cough
or
hoarseness. These symptoms are not always a sign of cancer.
They can also
be caused by less serious conditions. Only a doctor can make a
diagnosis.
It is important to see a doctor if you have any of these
symptoms. Don't
wait to feel pain. Early cancer usually does not cause pain.
If you have a sign or symptom that might mean cancer, the
doctor will do
a physical exam and ask about your medical history. In
addition, the
doctor usually orders various tests and exams. These may
include imaging
procedures, which produce pictures of areas inside the body,
endoscopy,
which allows the doctor to look directly inside certain organs,
and
laboratory tests. In most cases, the doctor also orders a
biopsy, a
procedure in which a sample of tissue is removed. A pathologist
examines
the tissue under a microscope to check for cancer cells.
Imaging
Images of areas inside the body help the doctor tell whether a
tumor is
present. These images can be made in several ways. In many
cases, the
doctor uses a special dye so that certain organs show up better
on film.
The dye may be swallowed or put into the body through a needle
or a tube.
X-rays are the most common way doctors made pictures of the
inside of
the body. In a special kind of x-ray imaging, a CT or CAT scan
uses a
computer linked to an x-ray machine to make a series of
detailed pictures.
In radionuclide scanning, the patient swallows or is given an
injection
of a mildly radioactive substance. A machine (scanner) measures
radioactivity levels in certain organs and prints a picture on
paper or
films. By looking at the amount of radioactivity in the organs,
the doctor
can find abnormal areas.
Ultrasonography is another procedure for viewing the inside of
the body.
High-frequency sound waves that cannot be heard by humans enter
the body
and bounce back. Their echoes produce a picture called a
sonogram. These
pictures are shown on a monitor like a TV screen and can be
printed on
paper.
In MRI, a powerful magnet linked to a computer is used to make
detailed
pictures of areas in the body. These pictures are viewed on a
monitor and
can also be printed.
Endoscopy
Endoscopy allows the doctor to look into the body through a
thin,
lighted tube called an endoscope. The exam is named for the
organ involved
(for example, colonoscopy to look inside the colon). During the
exam, the
doctor may collect tissue or cells for closer examination.
Laboratory Tests
Although no single test can be used to diagnose cancer,
laboratory tests
such as blood and urine tests give the doctor important
information. If
cancer is present, the lab work can show the effects of the
disease on the
body. In some cases, special tests are used to measure the
amount of
certain substances in the blood, urine, and other body fluids,
or tumor
tissue. The levels of these substances may become abnormal when
certain
kinds of cancer are present.
Biopsy
The physical exam, imaging, endoscopy, and lab tests can show
that
something abnormal is present, but a biopsy is the only sure
way to know
whether the problem is cancer. In a biopsy, the doctor removes
a sample of
tissue from the abnormal area or may remove the whole tumor. A
pathologist
examines the tissue under a microscope. If cancer is present,
the
pathologist can usually tell what kind of cancer it is and may
be able to
judge whether the cells are likely to grow slowly or quickly.
Staging
When cancer is found, the patient's doctor needs to know the
stage, or
extent, of the disease to plan the best treatment. The doctor
may order
various tests and exams to find out whether the cancer has
spread and, if
so, what parts of the body are affected. In some cases, lymph
nodes near
the tumor are removed and checked for cancer cells. If cancer
cells are
found in the lymph nodes, it may mean that the cancer has
spread to other
organs.
There are many types of ovarian cancer, epithelial carcinoma is the most common. Women with a family history of ovarian cancer have an increased risk of developing the disease. Some ovarian cancer symptoms include abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, and abnormal vaginal bleeding, however, they usually do not present until the disease has progressed. Early diagnosis is important for successful treatment.
In the U.S., more than 2,000 people are diagnosed with bone cancer every year. There are many types of bone cancer. The most common forms of bone cancer are osteosarcoma, Ewing's sarcoma, chondrosarcoma, malignant fibrous histiocytoma, fibrosarcoma, and chordoma. Pain is the most common symptom. Treatment usually involves surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.
Colon cancer is a malignancy that arises from the inner lining of the colon. Most, if not all, of these cancers develop from colonic polyps. Removal of these precancerous polyps can prevent colon cancer.
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer
in humans. There are three main types of skin cancer; basal cell carcinoma and
squamous cell carcinoma (the nonmelanoma skin cancers), and melanoma.
Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is cancer of the lymphatic system, a vital part of the body's immune system. Symptoms include swollen lymph nodes, fever, night sweats, coughing, weakness, chest pain, unexplained weight loss, and abdominal pain. Treatment depends on which type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma you have, the stage of the cancer, your age, how fast the cancer is growing, and whether you have other health problems.
Cervical cancer is cancer of the entrance to the womb (uterus). Regular pelvic exams and Pap testing can detect precancerous changes in the cervix. Precancerous changes in the cervix may be treated with cryosurgery, cauterization, or laser surgery. The most common symptom of cancer of the cervix is abnormal bleeding.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women and the second most common cause of cancer death in women in the U.S. Symptoms include a lump in the breast or underarm area, nipple pain, change in breast size or shape, an inverted nipple, nipple discharge, and breast skin changes. Treatment may involve chemotherapy, radiation therapy, biological therapy, hormone therapy, or surgery.
Treatment for bladder cancer depends on the stage of the disease, the grade of the tumor, and the type of bladder cancer. Options for treatment include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and biological therapy.
The term oral cancer includes cancer of the mouth (oral cavity) and the back of the mouth (oropharynx). Red and white patches inside the mouth, bleeding, loose teeth, pain upon swallowing, a lump in the neck, earache, and a sore on your lip or in your mouth that won't heal are all symptoms of oral cancer. Treatment for oral cancer depends upon the staging of the disease and usually involves surgery, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy.
Multiple myeloma is a form of cancer that develops in plasma cells, the white blood cells that make antibodies. Symptoms include bone pain, weakness, extreme thirst, nausea, frequent urination, and broken bones. Treatment of multiple myeloma depends upon the staging and symptoms of the disease.
Hodgkin's disease is a cancer of the lymphatic system with symptoms that include unexplained, recurring fevers, unexplained weight loss, itchy skin, and painless swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck, underarm, and groin. Treatment for adult Hodgkin's disease depends on the staging of the disease, the lymph nodes' size, and the health of the patient.
Prostate cancer is an uncontrolled (malignant) growth of cells in the prostate gland. Prostate cancer is the second
leading cause of death of males in the U.S. Prostate cancer is often initially
suspected because of an abnormal PSA blood test or a hard nodule (lump) felt on
the prostate gland during a routine rectal examination.
Cancer is a disease caused by an abnormal growth of cells, also called malignancy. It is a group of 100 different diseases, and is not contagious. Cancer can be treated through chemotherapy, a treatment of drugs that destroy cancer cells.
Barrett's esophagus occurs as a complication of chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), primarily in white males. GERD refers to the reflux of acidic fluid from the stomach into the esophagus (the swallowing tube), and is classically associated with heartburn.
Testicular cancer symptoms include a painless lump or swelling in a testicle, testicle or scrotum pain, a dull ache in the abdomen, back, or groin, and a feeling of heaviness in the scrotum. Treatment for cancer of the testicles depends on the type of cancer (seminoma or nonseminoma), the stage of the cancer, and the patient's age and health.
The breast generally refers to the chest, however, more specifically, to the mammary gland. The mammary gland is a milk producing gland comprised largely of fat. Within the mammary gland is a complex network of branching ducts. The ducts exit from sac-like structures called lobules, which can produce milk in females. The darkened area around the nipple is called the areola. Common medical concerns in regard to the breast include breast lumps, breast cysts, breast cancer, and breast infections.
Male breast cancer accounts for 1% of all breast cancers, and most cases are found in men between the ages of 60 and 70. A man's risk of developing breast cancer is one in 1,000. Signs and symptoms include a firm mass located below the nipple and skin changes around the nipple, including puckering, redness or scaling, retraction and ulceration of the nipple. Treatment depends upon staging and the health of the patient.
Vaginal cancer is fairly uncommon. There are two types of vaginal cancer: squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. Risk factors include being 60 or older, exposure to DES while in the womb, HPV infection, and having a history of abnormal cervical cells. Painful intercourse, pelvic pain, vaginal lumps, and abnormal vaginal bleeding or discharge are all symptoms of vaginal cancer. Treatment depends upon the stage of the vaginal cancer and may involve surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and the use of radiosensitizers.
Lifestyle changes, a healthy antioxidant-rich diet, exercise, and weight reduction can help reduce a woman's risk of developing breast cancer. It's important to be aware of how risk factors such as family history, lifestyle factors, breast conditions, radiation therapy, and hormonal factors may influence your chances of developing breast cancer. Mammography and breast self-examinations are crucial steps in breast cancer prevention.
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