Common symptoms in cancer

It is not always cancer.
Cancers are frequently associated with specific complaints for each of the respective cancer include bloody cough in lung cancer. Many patients have, however, in addition to nonspecific symptoms that many various cancers occur in the same manner. These symptoms however, can also side-effects than with other diseases (such as the Cardiovascular system or the lungs) may occur as a temporary or "Malaise" in healthy people. Someone who is under such complaints suffering is therefore not necessarily think immediately of a cancer. This can only help secure the diagnosis, classify the complaints properly.


Anorexia:
Loss of appetite, loss of appetite or premature Satiety occur in many cancer patients on short or long term. Occasionally it can also lead to an aversion to certain foods, such as to meat. Consequently, an individual can during such a Lose "without appetite" phase of weight.


Weight Loss:
Also independent of appetite and the amount of our daily Calories conspicuous in many patients with cancer that she Weight . lose The reason for this is that a growing tumor has a high energy demand. Therefore, a part of the fed with the food energy consumed by the tumor and the body is no longer available. The body must then, if the food supply not increased, will rely on endogenous reserves. This is usually the Body fat that every human being under a greater or lesser extent the skin intercalates. If this fat reserve is depleted, the body attacks the muscles in the proteins located in the muscles and builds from this. The consequences of the consumption of Body fat and muscle protein are weight loss, a "thinner" appearance and physical weakness.


Weakness:
A weakness of cancer patients is often independent of one Weight loss seen. Or feel weak, tired and less powerful. Strain or effort, the effort against the disease were overcome, now appear very stressful and very hard to cope with yet.


Pain:
In the course of many cancers occur in pain. These are usually attributed to the fact that the tumor displaces the surrounding tissue, in Grows adjacent organs or presses on nerves. The location of pain depends on the Localization of the tumor. However, it is also known as spreading pain . occur A pain will not be perceived at its source, but in another region of the body. This may be the case when a tumor to a Nerve suppressed for a particular body region is the "responsible" and for this region will continue to report the pain to the brain. For example, pain be seen in the hand, although a growing tumor in the cervical spine. There, he presses on the spinal nerves that arise from the roots, with their Attract nerve fibers to the hand.


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Pain is usually felt as strongly incriminating symptom and the general condition interfere significantly. However, pain can become be treated so effective that no patient should suffer. For a complex Pain can be specially trained physicians, known as pain therapists, be consulted.


Fever:
Occasionally, an increase in body temperature up to fever determined. But this is a common symptom rather rare. Somewhat more frequently, it may Context of specific cancers occur, eg lymphoma (lymph node cancer) and Leukemia (blood cancer). Although under a widening of the cancer Liver by "daughter tumors" (metastasis) of the original tumor affected is, it can cause a temperature increase. A temperature rise may also occur when a tumor is divided, for example, because he has reached a size that one adequate blood supply and therefore does not allow for individual sections of the tumor . die But may occur at a temperature increase in a cancer patient not be neglected that other reasons for the increased temperature may be responsible as the cancer itself, such as infectious diseases (Flu, Cystitis, Pneumonia).


Sweating:
Irrespective of a possible increased body temperature occurs in some patients, especially night sweats additional Signs of illness on. This is particularly a special type of tumor, a lymphoma (Lymph node cancer), was observed.


Itching:
Occasionally, patients complain of itching. This symptom occurs especially in Hodgkin's disease (a specific lymph node cancer) and in leukemia (Blood cancer) on. But even if the "daughter of tumors," located in the liver have this clinical sign is observed. The reason is that in the liver did not produce more bile to drain into the duodenum, because the "Daughter of tumors," so to speak, of the bile "block the way". Since the bile is continuously produced in the liver, however, it must be Find other ways. In general, it first passes into the bloodstream and is further course of the disease is deposited in the skin. This provides for a a yellowish skin color ("jaundice"), on the other hand is itching triggered.



All of these "non-specific symptoms" such as decreasing Appetite, general weakness, decreasing pain, performance, increased body temperature or fever, sweating and itching can be very stressful his daily activities and limit the circumstances under considerably. Important part of any cancer therapy is, therefore, besides the actual Chemotherapy drugs, which alleviate these Allgmeinbeschwerden. This may be through medication (eg to take place Pain and Fever reduction), through so-called physical measures (eg cooling Cold compresses fever) or by Physiotherapy (such as circuit training and muscle strengthening exercises in general Weakness).

Possible first signs of cancer

The symptoms caused by tumors is not always clear

Cancers, at least initially do not often clearly noticeable. Some symptoms may indicate a malignant tumor in the body.

When cancer is malignant cell growths. The Oncogenes That are responsible for cell formation and growth, more and more of the so-called Carcinogens affected, so that cell division and growth run incorrectly. Finally, more and more carcinogenic oncogenes are replaced by cells, so that a tumor develops in the organs or the bones. Through the blood stream, there is a risk of the formation of ulcers in other subsidiary organs, since the carcinogens are transported by the blood throughout the body. This is called metastasis.

Possible risk factors for cancer

These include smoking, obesity, alcohol abuse, or even years of ongoing professional contact with carcinogenic substances (for example, the exposure of nuclear workers at nuclear power plants, chemical workers and the like). Apart from damaging environmental influences also play a role in genetic susceptibility. Often a particular type of cancer occurs more frequently familial.

Potential early signs of cancer

Depending on which organ is primarily affected, can be observed:

• Coughing up blood, hoarseness constant that can not be attributed to overuse of the voice, smoking or a cold, disease, increased susceptibility to lung inflammation and Bronchialinfekte
• Difficulty swallowing
• Blood in stool, tarry stool (blood is blackened by the admixed stomach acid)
• Vomiting blood
• Blood in urine
• constant, violent Headache, Often accompanied by dizziness, impaired vision and hearing disorders
• Moles that change suddenly in their size and / or secrete color, secretions, or bleeding
• unexplained weight loss
• severe abdominal pain, often associated with nausea, vomiting and diarrhea
• Tiredness, fatigue, which can not be attributed to increased physical stress and strain
• for venipuncture: increased leukocyte (normal range: 7000-9500 leukocytes), which can not be attributed to other inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid
• Leakage of secretions from the nipples
• in men: Breast Growth
  
• in women: spotting between days, painful periods, vaginal bleeding after menopause
• any wound or any ulcer that is not fully healed within three weeks.

Some of the above symptoms may also indicate an acute illness (such as violent Bausch Merzen with nausea and vomiting as a sign of appendicitis), or any other disease. Therefore, a rapid medical investigation is the occurrence of one or more of the symptoms all the more important. The earlier cancer is detected and treated, the greater the chances of recovery are the rule.

The importance of screening for early detection

A variety of screening tests such as mammography for women over 40, colonoscopy from the age of 45 Age or the annual examination of the female sex organs are covered by insurance, since some types of cancer occur more frequently until a certain age. As part of screening often been harmless (benign) nodules are detected, which have so far caused no apparent discomfort. With timely treatment of benign ulcers, cancer may not arise.

In addition, some Cancers otherwise go undetected for years, since it was early cause no symptoms. Bowel cancer can remain asymptomatic for five to ten years, even if the tumor is already malignant.

Even people whose families frequently occurred in a particular type of cancer should be examined regularly, because the probability of falling ill themselves in the same type of cancer is higher due to the genetic predisposition. Certain risk factors should be eliminated wherever possible, although this is obviously not possible in all cases.

Signs of Cancer in Children

Early recognition of any disease by identifying its signs not only helps in diagnosis of that disease but also its timely management and cure. Children should be watched for any abnormality regarding their health starting from a slight fever to severe diarrhea because these can be the signs of cancer in children. Diseases such as cancers always have some significant signs which if identified and evaluated on time, can help treat such fatal diseases.


By definition cancer is defined as an abnormal growth of cells. As it is an abnormal growth of cells so it can be stated that the factors affecting this abnormal growth are not part of the normal body mechanisms, and their growth is uncontrollable. Many factors interact together to contribute towards the cause of cancer. These factors involved may be genetic, environmental or particular characteristics of the individual.

One of the basic characteristic feature of cancer cells is that their growth is uncontrolled and it involves the invasion of the surrounding counterpart which is at times quick and during this invasion they cause organ and bony destruction and during all these destructive processes, they weaken the body`s defense mechanism. Human body has a well developed defense mechanism which functions under some regulations. The human immune system (system which combats all types of illnesses and diseases and helps body to get rid of all the foreign harmful agents) is greatly damaged if there is any kind of cancerous growth in the body. The human body`s defense mechanism becomes weak so the cancer patients are more likely to develop other diseases too.



Cancer is rare in children but still it is one of the commonest causes of death. Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in children, so it is important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of cancer in children.
There are many types of cancer but those common in childhood are named as:
1. Leukemia
2. Lymphoma
3. Brain cancer
4. Osteosarcoma

A child should be observed for any sudden, persistent changes in health or behavior or any physical change ranging from a small area of rash to a prominent lump anywhere in the body. Following are few signs and symptoms of development of a cancer:

 WIEGHT LOSS:
A continued and unexplainable weight loss is always an indication of weakening of body`s defense mechanism. The cause should be ruled out immediately. This is one of the commonest sign of cancer development.

 PAIN:
Persistent pain in bones, joints, back, arms or legs is also alarming. There may be increased swelling too.

 HEADACHE:
Headache occurs due to improper blood supply to brain which may be due to any obstruction or some disturbed body mechanism. Persistent headache especially early in the morning, with no apparent cause is a sign of brain cancer. The factors which aggravate the pain and which relief the pain are of importance.

 PRESENCE OF LUMPS OR MASS:
A lump is like an oval or round growth which may be hard or soft, may be painless or painful. If a lump or a mass appears on any part of the body such as abdomen, neck, chest, pelvis or armpits, it should be immediately evaluated by the doctor.

 EXCESSIVE BRUISING AND BLEEDING:
Children which bleed easily and Bruising is bluish discoloration of skin due to accumulation of blood under the skin.

 EYE OR VISION CHANGES:
Any abnormality or a mass present in or near the brain may cause compression of the adjacent organs such as eyes and it may also intrude the blood supply to eyes which may cause vision changes. The eyesight changes are gradual or may occur suddenly. Whitish color may appear behind the pupil.

 VOMITING AND NAUSEA:
Early morning vomiting and feeling of nausea is an important sign.

 FEVER:
Fever of unknown cause which is recurrent and persistent should always be evaluated.

 TIREDNESS:
Unusual tiredness and paleness of the body is another sign.

 CONSTANT INFECTIONS:
Cancer patients are more likely to get infected as compared to others as their immune system is down.

In general, one should realize the degree of symptoms, how harmful they are, how long they are lasting, and if they are continuing to get worse over time.
One should not think that his child has cancer every time that he has a fever, there may be other infections responsible for it. But if the fever is lasting more than 2 weeks, then a doctor should be immediately consulted.

A pediatric oncologist who is a doctor specialized in treatment of cancer always plans to cater to the needs of a cancer patient child. The treatment of cancer is always dependent on the type, extent level of the cancer and the specific features of the affected cells. Overall health of the child and symptoms of the disease and the age are also to be considered. Cancer treatment in children can include bone marrow transplant, radiation therapy, chemotherapy and may include surgery.

As recently as the 1950s, a diagnosis of cancer was a virtual death sentence for a child. Today, 8 out of 10 children diagnosed with cancer can be successfully treated. A major reason for this success is the early recognition of a developing state of cancer and the agile response of the concerned parents and their pediatrician.

Parents must observe the physical changes in children, because they are difficult to express what happened to them and not even a single minor abnormality should not left unnoticed. A quick diagnosis greatly enhances the chance that the child will survive cancer to live a long life. Always take your children to their scheduled well baby check-ups. Between medical check-ups any unusual signs or symptoms (nausea, swelling, double vision, stumbling, nosebleeds, drowsiness, listlessness, difficulty in breathing, etc.) for which there are no apparent causes should be investigated.