Cancer signs and symptoms

Cancer symptoms: signs of cancer

Often, the first symptoms of cancer or malignant tumors appear relatively early, but they can also occur in connection with other diseases and are therefore often not recognized as a cancer sign. Due to the variety of different forms of cancer, the spectrum of these symptoms is extremely broad. However, some symptoms, such as chronic fatigue or significant weight loss, are seen in many of these cancers, so they are generally considered to be potential warning signs of cancer.

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Increasing cancer signs
Unspecific cancer symptoms
Discomfort in the digestive tract and abdomen
respiratory symptoms
Cancer symptoms in the head area
Signs of women's cancer
More cancer symptoms
Act early on cancer signs

Increasing cancer signs

In order to provide a better overview, the multitude of possible cancer signs will be assigned to six groups in the next section. We distinguish here the "Unspecific general symptoms", "Discomfort in the digestive tract and abdomen ", "Respiratory symptoms ", "Symptoms in the head area and neurological level ", "Signs of women's cancer" such as"Further increased symptoms of cancer ". The enumeration by no means has the right to a complete compilation of all conceivable cancer symptoms, but concentrates on the increasingly ascertainable complaints.

Unspecific cancer symptoms

Many cancer symptoms are also seen in harmless other diseases, so they are often not brought by those affected in connection with a possible cancer. These rather nonspecific signs of cancer often occur at a very early stage of cancer. If they are interpreted correctly and a correspondingly early diagnosis is made, there are often still relatively good chances of treatment here. Unspecific warning signals include, for example, a significant reduction in performance or persistent weakness and chronic fatigue. They appear in a whole range of cancers as concomitant symptoms. Examples include bone marrow cancer (multiple myeloma), colon cancer, kidney cancer, leukemia (blood cancer) and ovarian cancer (ovarian cancer) to Hodgkin's lymphoma or late-stage breast cancer.

Indigestion can be an indication of colon cancer, but in most cases is due to other causes. (Image: psdesign1 / fotolia.com)

But because someone is increasingly tired and his capacity is reduced, however, there is no cancer for a long time to come. However, a doctor's visit in case of doubt can not hurt, especially as this also other possible causes of the complaints are checked. This applies similarly to a significant diet-induced weight loss. This is also increasingly seen in bone marrow cancer, colon cancer (especially small intestine carcinomas and duodenal tumors), kidney cancer, leukemia and Hodgkin's lymphoma. Other examples of cancers that can cause significant weight loss are gallbladder carcinomas (gallbladder carcinoma / bile duct carcinoma), pancreatic carcinoma or liver (hepatocellular carcinoma), as well as esophageal and malignant tumors of the pleura (pleural mesothelioma). Often, the weight loss is also associated with a continued loss of appetite of those affected.

If performance reduction, fatigue and weight loss are observed in parallel, a visit to the doctor is strongly advised. This is all the more true when additional complaints such as night sweats or fever are added. They can be found, for example, in gallbladder carcinoma or bile duct carcinoma, in leukemia, Hodgkin's lymphoma and kidney cancer. Also, bronchial carcinomas (lung cancer) are increasingly accompanied by fever. An unspecific concomitant symptom also found in several different cancers is an unpleasant itching of the skin. This also occurs more frequently in gallbladder carcinomas and bile duct carcinomas, leukemia and Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Lymph node swelling can also be regarded as an unspecific cancer indication, which can be observed, for example, in leukemia, thyroid cancer or nasopharyngeal carcinoma. In addition, many sufferers show a generally increased susceptibility to infection, which is often initially not associated with a possible cancer. The more of these nonspecific symptoms occur simultaneously, the higher the likelihood that cancer will actually be the cause. However, several other causes of the complaints remain conceivable here, which must be checked in the context of a medical examination.

Discomfort in the digestive tract and abdomen

The possible cancer symptoms in the digestive tract are extremely extensive and are often similar to those of a simple gastrointestinal infection. Thus, those affected usually do not think of cancer. In particular, if the symptoms persist for an unusually long time and / or occur in conjunction with the above-mentioned nonspecific general symptoms, they should urgently consult a doctor.

For example, dysphagia and dysphagia are more common in cancers of the larynx, esophagus, stomach and late-stage thyroid cancer. In esophageal cancer and gastric cancer - as well as in duodenal carcinoma (duodenal cancer), gallbladder and bile duct carcinoma - nausea and vomiting are common accompanying symptoms. Also, pain is often part of the symptoms here, whereby the localization may vary depending on the different forms of cancer. Abdominal pain is a possible indication of gastric cancer (especially with concomitant gastric pressure), duodenal carcinoma and cancers in the gallbladder and biliary tract. Colon cancer is usually associated with convulsive abdominal pain. In the back-radiating abdominal pain, however, occur, for example, increasingly in pancreatic cancer. Kidney cancer and bladder cancer, however, cause flank pain. A pressure pain in the right upper abdomen can be observed in cancers of the liver - in the late stages are often referred to as ascites (ascites). Finally, for all forms of uncommon, recurring pain, individuals should exercise particular caution and seek early medical attention, as they may be associated with the growth of a malignant tumor.

Also indigestion such as diarrhea, constipation, bloating, urinary retention or other disorders of urination (urination) and defecation may be possible signs of cancer. Corresponding impairments, for example, are increasingly being observed in connection with colon cancer or pancreatic cancer. Furthermore, blood in the urine should be evaluated as a warning signal that urgent medical examination should be carried out, since here, for example, a disease of bladder cancer, kidney cancer or ureteral cancer may be the trigger. Changes in stool consistency (eg pencil stool) or admixture of blood residues in bowel movements are also to be considered as possible signs of cancer. For example, they may be related to colon cancer or anal canal carcinomas.

respiratory symptoms

A particularly noticeable warning sign of cancer of the respiratory tract is a chronic cough, not infrequently in the form of hemoptysis (haemoptysis). However, this is usually shown in a bronchial carcinoma only in the extremely advanced disease course. Chronic coughing stimulus without Blutbeimengungen is also to be observed with a Pleuramesotheliom (Brustfelltumor). In addition, there is a marked respiratory distress both in lung cancer and in pleural mesotheliomas. This can also occur in the late stages of throat cancer and nasopharyngeal cancer. In addition, hoarseness is a common concomitant symptom of the latter two cancers. In addition, increased nasal bleeding in nasopharyngeal carcinomas is a striking warning sign. Lung cancer often caused significant chest pain. If a combination of shortness of breath, pain in the chest and a persistent Hustreiz - at worst even coughing blood - to observe, then a specialist should be consulted immediately, even in the case that there is no cancer, very serious diseases (such as tuberculosis) behind the complaints can get stuck.

Cancer symptoms in the head area

Especially in tumors directly in the brain (for example, astrocytoma or glioblastoma), but also in bone marrow cancer headache is a possible warning. In brain tumors, depending on their localization, further neurological impairments or disorders of the cranial nerve function may occur. Paralysis, severe headache, dizziness, lightheadedness, lethargy and personality changes are all possible consequences. Speech, visual and hearing disorders can also be part of the symptoms. Similar complaints show up in bone marrow cancer, if due to the increased formation of immunoglobulins, the fluidity of the blood is impaired, the microcirculation can therefore not be maintained to the required extent and a so-called hyperviscosity syndrome arises. Even an uncontrolled twitching can be part of the symptoms here. Another striking symptom that may be associated with a brain tumor is epileptic seizures.

Signs of women's cancer

Women-specific cancers include, in particular, vaginal cancers, vulvar cancers and cervical cancers. They are often accompanied by a noticeable discharge from the vagina. For example, in vaginal and vulvar cancer, a bloody discharge is often observed. However, cervical cancer is more likely to be accompanied by so-called spotting and genital bleeding is also found in ovarian cancer (ovarian cancer). In later stages, vaginal cancer may be associated with direct vaginal bleeding, which occurs more frequently after intercourse. In the further course of the disease, cervical cancer is a particularly noticeable symptom of the disease, usually showing a sweet-smelling, flesh-colored, watery discharge. In general, abdominal pain in women, independent of the menstrual cycle, is to be considered as a possible warning sign of a cancer. Disorders of the menstrual cycle can also point to a cancer. A medical check is therefore strongly advised.

Cancer prevention can save lives. Many cancerous tumors can be cured at the beginning of growth. Image: Dan Race - fotolia

More cancer symptoms

In the course of some cancers, as a result of the internal blood loss so-called anemia (anemia), which in turn can cause numerous other complaints. Thus, due to the impaired oxygenation, there is a general decline in performance, often accompanied by chronic fatigue. Headaches, tinnitus, visual disturbances and disturbances of consciousness are also possible consequences of the lack of oxygen. In addition, an increased respiratory rate and palpitations are among the symptoms of anemia. As a sign of cancer, for example, it is increasingly being observed in colon cancer and duodenal carcinoma.

Another relatively conspicuous cancer symptom is the so-called tumor cachexia, which usually only occurs in the advanced stage of the disease. It is the result of the metabolic disorders that accompany the cancer and is characterized by an emaciation or wasting of the patients. These reduce more and more body and especially muscle mass, show more inflammatory symptoms and usually develop insulin resistance. A significantly reduced performance and an adverse effect on the course of the cancer are the consequences. Tumor cachexia is one of the more common complications, especially in cancers of the digestive tract, such as esophageal cancer, gastric cancer, pancreatic cancer or colon cancer. However, they can also occur in other cancers such as breast cancer or bronchial carcinoma.

Changes in the appearance of the skin are also to be considered as possible signs of cancer, which applies not only to newly formed patches and ulcers on the skin that form possible components of a skin cancer, but also to a color change in the form of so-called jaundice (jaundice). This occurs when the bilirubin metabolism is permanently disturbed by the cancer and the concentration of bilirubin around blood serum increases significantly. Not only the skin but also the whites in the eye and the mucous membranes subsequently show a yellowish discoloration. Jaundice may be an accompanying symptom of, for example, pancreatic cancer, liver cancer, gallbladder and bile duct carcinoma.

Bone pain is a possible sign of cancer that can be seen in bone marrow cancer but also in the metastasis of other cancers (bone metastases). In addition countless further complaints depending on the cancer form and the localization of the tumors, which are to be evaluated however not as general but rather as specific cancer indications.

Act early on cancer signs

Cancer is usually much better treatable, if it is already recognized at a very early stage of the disease. Therefore, should the occurrence of the above symptoms as promptly as possible followed by a medical examination. However, the typical cancer symptoms often only appear when the tumors have already reached a certain size. Only regular check-ups can help here. For example, insured persons in Germany are entitled to a regular colorectal cancer screening from the age of 55. For women over the age of 50, mammography is offered as a breast cancer screening. With their help, appropriate cancers may already be detected before even the first signs of cancer occur. (Fp)