Cancer symptoms vary widely depending on the type, location, and stage of the disease; however, some general signs may be present in many types of cancer and should not be ignored.
What Is Cancer
Cancer is a disease characterized by the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the body. Normally, a cell has division and death mechanisms that regulate its growth, a process known as apoptosis. However, when this process fails, uncontrolled cell proliferation occurs.
This failure allows cells to proliferate uncontrollably and invade surrounding tissues or spread to other parts of the body, a phenomenon known as metastasis.
There is no single cause for the development of cancer, as it can vary depending on its type and each individual’s specific characteristics. However, it commonly involves genetic, environmental, infectious, or lifestyle-related factors. It may also result from DNA changes, such as mutations in oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes, which play a key role in cancer development.
Globally, cancer remains one of the leading causes of death, making it essential to recognize its symptoms and seek medical attention when needed.
Types of Cancer
Although there are more than 100 different types of cancer that can develop in virtually any organ or tissue, the main ones include:
- Carcinomas: the most common type of cancer, originating in epithelial cells that cover internal and external body surfaces; they may appear in the skin, breast, colon, or prostate.
- Sarcomas: affect connective tissues such as bones, muscles, cartilage, and blood vessels.
- Leukemias: cancers of the blood and bone marrow that cause abnormal production of blood cells, such as white blood cells.
- Lymphomas: affect the lymphatic system, which is part of the immune system.
- Melanomas: originate in melanocytes, the pigment-producing cells of the skin.
- Brain and nervous system tumors: may arise as primary cancers or as secondary (metastatic) tumors that spread from other parts of the body.
These are just a few examples of the many types of cancer and the areas they affect, though others may develop.
Signs and Symptoms
Cancer symptoms can vary greatly depending on each individual case, but several nonspecific symptoms can arise for reasons other than cancer. Some common examples include:
- Unexplained weight loss: unintended weight loss over a short period is a common sign in several cancers and may result from increased basal metabolism caused by cancer cells or altered nutrient processing.
- Extreme fatigue: persistent fatigue that does not improve with rest can be a symptom of cancer, associated with inflammatory substances released by the tumor or secondary anemia.
- Persistent pain: pain may be a cancer symptom, though its timing varies by type, for example, it appears early in testicular or bone cancer but later in pancreatic cancer.
- Skin changes: some cancers cause skin alterations such as hyperpigmentation (darkening), jaundice (yellowing), redness, abnormal hair growth, or sores that do not heal.
- Recurrent fever: fever is a frequent symptom and may result from inflammation or immune response to the disease.
- Changes in urinary or bowel habits: chronic diarrhea, constipation, blood or changes in stool diameter, painful urination, or blood in the urine may be linked to cancers of the colon, rectum, bladder, or prostate.
- Bleeding or discharge: abnormal bleeding in cough, stool, or urine, or unusual nipple discharge requires immediate medical attention.
- Lumps or masses: the appearance of lumps in different body areas can be a sign of cancer.
- Changes in moles or warts: any change in size, shape, color, or texture of moles, or the appearance of new ones, may be related to melanoma.
It is important to understand that having one or more of these symptoms does not necessarily mean cancer has developed; they may result from other health conditions.
However, it is always necessary to seek specialized medical care to identify the cause and treat what is producing these cancer symptoms.
At the ABC Medical Center’s Cancer Center, we can provide you with specialized care. Contact us!
Fuentes:
NIH, Cancer.org, OMS
