Different types of cancer, their early signs and symptoms
Compilation and arrangement: Scientist Storm
The first stage of cancer is known as stage 1 and is associated with the appearance of a small tumor that has not yet grown deeply into nearby tissues or lymph nodes. Stage 2 refers to tumors that have become larger. Cancer spread to the lymph nodes is known as stage 3. Stage 4 cancer, also known as metastatic or advanced cancer, refers to the spread of the disease to other organs.
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Although many cancers share commonalities, including solid tumors and blood cancers, each of them also has distinct characteristics. Knowing the risk factors for cancer can help identify signs and symptoms early.
Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is caused by uncontrolled growth of breast cells. In rare cases, men can get this disease. Breast cancer is one of the deadliest types of cancer among women.
Early detection of breast cancer is often done through regular screening that includes mammograms, MRI of the breast, and clinical examinations. Also, it is recommended to do a self-examination and report any lumps, pain or changes in the breast to the doctor.
The following are the early symptoms of breast cancer:
- Swelling of the whole or part of the breast, even if a lump is not felt
- Skin depressions sometimes look like orange peels
- feeling pain
- Contraction of the nipple turning inwards
- Redness, dryness, scaling or thickening of the skin of the breast or nipple
- Discharge from the breast other than breast milk
- Swollen lymph nodes
Lung cancer
Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the world. In many people, this disease is diagnosed when the cancer has spread to other organs, hence the survival rate after treatment is low.
Many people often ignore the common symptoms of lung cancer because they look like the effects of smoking or a lung infection.
The following are the early symptoms of lung cancer:
- Chronic cough that has lasted for at least eight weeks
- Frequent and recurring respiratory infections such as bronchitis and pleurisy
- Coughing up blood or bloody mucus even in small amounts
Difficulty in breathing and shortness of breath
- Hoarseness or hoarseness
- Chest pain
Prostate Cancer
Due to effective and appropriate screening, many cases of prostate cancer are diagnosed in the early stages.
The following are the early symptoms of prostate cancer:
- Pain or burning during urination or ejaculation
- Frequent urination, especially at night
Difficulty stopping or starting urination
- Sudden appearance of erectile dysfunction
- Blood in urine or semen
The American Cancer Society recommends regular prostatectomy for men over 50 at moderate risk and men over 40 at high risk for prostate cancer. Prostate cancer risk factors include the following:
- Age, most cases are diagnosed in men over 40 years old
- African American men are typically at higher risk
- Geographical location, as those living in North America, Northwestern Europe, Australia, and the Caribbean islands are at greater risk.
- Family history of prostate cancer
Colorectal cancer
Colorectal cancer is more likely to occur in people over the age of 50. Most cases of colorectal cancer are diagnosed after the disease has spread to the lymph nodes.
The following are the early symptoms of colorectal cancer:
Changes in bowel habits, such as diarrhea, constipation, or loose stools that last for more than a few days
- Feeling the need to defecate and not feeling comfortable after doing so
- Bleeding from the rectum or blood in the stool
- Abdominal pain or cramps
- Weakness and fatigue
- Unwanted weight loss
Melanoma
Melanoma accounts for most of the deaths from skin cancer. If diagnosed early, the five-year survival rate after melanoma treatment is very high.
The following are the early symptoms of melanoma:
- A new spot on the skin or a spot that changes in size, shape, or color
- A wound that does not heal
- Spreading pigment from the border of a spot to the surrounding skin
- Redness or new swelling on the other side of the border of the mole
- Change in sensation such as itching, sensitivity to touch or pain
- Changes in the surface of a mole, such as scaling, bleeding, discharge, or the appearance of a lump or bump
To recognize moles or spots that may indicate melanoma, consider the following:
- Asymmetry
- Irregular, uneven or blurred borders
- A change in color or a spot that has more than one color with different shades of brown or black, or has pink, blue, red, or white spots.
- If the diameter of the stain is larger than the eraser of a pencil, it should be checked further
- The change of spot or mole in terms of shape, color or size should be checked
Bladder Cancer
Because the early symptoms of bladder cancer are obvious, early detection can be easier than other types of cancer.
The following are the early signs and symptoms of bladder cancer:
- Blood in the urine
- Frequent urination
- Feeling of pain or burning when urinating
- Increased need to urinate even when the bladder is not full
Difficulty urinating or weak urine flow
- Waking up frequently during the night to urinate
Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma originates in the body's lymphatic system. If diagnosed early, the five-year relative survival rate after treatment for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is high.
The following are the early symptoms of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma:
Lymph nodes and the formation of a lump or bump under the skin
- Fever
- Trembling
- Night sweats
- Weight Loss
- feeling exhausted
- Swelling in the abdomen
kidney cancer
Kidney cancer is difficult to diagnose in the early stages because small tumors are difficult to feel during a physical exam. This type of cancer is often diagnosed through imaging tests such as X-rays or ultrasound for another reason.
The following are the early symptoms of kidney cancer:
- Persistent back pain or feeling of pressure on one side
- Lump or bump on the side or back
- Fatigue
- Unwanted weight loss and anorexia
- A fever that does not go away and is not caused by an infection
- Low number of red blood cells, also known as anemia
- Swelling in the feet and ankles
In men with kidney cancer, a varicocele, or cluster of enlarged veins, can be seen around one testicle, usually the right testicle.
Endometrial/uterine cancer
Endometrial or uterine cancer affects the uterus. Most cases of endometrial and uterine cancers are diagnosed in the early stages.
The following are the early signs of endometrial cancer:
- Vaginal bleeding after menopause
- Bleeding between periods
- Pelvic pain
Risk factors for uterine cancer
Although endometrial cancer symptoms appear early, they can be non-specific and may mimic symptoms of less serious health conditions. Accordingly, it is important to be aware of the risk factors associated with this disease, including the following:
- Things that affect hormone levels, such as taking estrogen after menopause, birth control pills, or tamoxifen; Number of menstrual cycles, pregnancy, some ovarian tumors and polycystic ovary syndrome.
- Use of IUD
- Age
- obesity
- Diet and exercise
- Type 2 diabetes
- Family history of endometrial or colorectal cancer
- History of breast or ovarian cancer
- History of endometrial hyperplasia
- Pelvic radiation therapy for other cancer treatment
leukemia
Leukemia is a type of blood cancer that affects the growth of blood cells. Because people do not experience symptoms or symptoms develop over a long period of time, early detection of leukemia is rare.
The following are the symptoms of this type of cancer:
- Ague
- General fatigue and weakness
- Anorexia
- Night sweats
- Abdominal discomfort
- Headache
- Shortness of breath
- Frequent infections
- petechiae (small red spots under the skin)
- Anemia (low number of red blood cells)
- Leukopenia (low number of white blood cells)
- Thrombocytopenia (low number of blood platelets)
- Swelling of lymph nodes
- Enlargement of the liver or spleen
Pancreatic cancer
Pancreas is located deep in the body and early detection of small tumors is very difficult.
The following are the early symptoms of pancreatic cancer:
- Dark colored urine
- skin itching
Digestive problems that can include abnormal stools and vomiting
- Pain in the upper part of the abdomen that spreads to the back
- Anorexia
- Swelling of the gallbladder
- Blood clots
Thyroid cancer
Symptoms of thyroid cancer include the following:
- Fatigue
- hoarseness
- Swollen glands in the neck
- Persistent cough that is not caused by a cold
- Neck pain that starts in the front of the neck and in some cases the pain may spread to the ears
- Changes in sound that do not disappear
Difficulty breathing or feeling like breathing through a straw
- Difficulty in swallowing
liver cancer
The following are among the early symptoms of liver cancer:
- Pain in the upper right part of the abdomen or near the right shoulder blade
- Liver enlargement that feels like a lump under the chest on the right side
- Abdominal bloating or swelling
Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes)
- Unwanted weight loss
- Anorexia or feeling full after a small meal
- Nausea or vomiting that is not associated with other conditions
- General and persistent fatigue and weakness
- A fever that cannot be linked to other conditions
- Enlargement of the spleen, which is felt as a mass under the ribs on the left side
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