After discussing the definition of cancer and its causes, this time we will discuss about the signs and symptoms of cancer. What are the signs and symptoms of cancer?
A symptom is a signal of disease, illness, injury, or that there is something wrong in the body. Symptoms are felt or seen by anyone who has them, but may not be easily viewed by others. For example, chills, weakness, pain, and feel short of breath may be symptoms of pneumonia.
A sign is also a signal that something is not right in the body. But signs that signal can be seen by a doctor, nurse, or other health professional. Fever, rapid breathing, and abnormal breathing sounds heard through a stethoscope may be signs of pneumonia.
Having one symptom or sign may not be enough to figure out what causes it. For example, a rash in children can be a sign of a number of things, such as poison ivy, an infectious disease like measles, skin infections, or food allergies. But if the child has a rash along with the signs and symptoms such as high fever, chills, achiness, and sore throat, then a doctor can get a better picture of the disease. In many cases, the patient's signs and symptoms alone do not give doctors enough clues to find the cause of a disease. Then medical tests, such as x-rays, blood tests or biopsy may be needed.
How causes of cancer signs and symptoms?
Cancer is a group of diseases that can cause almost any sign or symptoms. The signs and symptoms will depend on where the cancer is, how big it is, and how much it affects the nearby organs or tissues. If the cancer has spread (metastasized), symptoms can appear in different parts of the body.
A symptom is a signal of disease, illness, injury, or that there is something wrong in the body. Symptoms are felt or seen by anyone who has them, but may not be easily viewed by others. For example, chills, weakness, pain, and feel short of breath may be symptoms of pneumonia.
A sign is also a signal that something is not right in the body. But signs that signal can be seen by a doctor, nurse, or other health professional. Fever, rapid breathing, and abnormal breathing sounds heard through a stethoscope may be signs of pneumonia.
Having one symptom or sign may not be enough to figure out what causes it. For example, a rash in children can be a sign of a number of things, such as poison ivy, an infectious disease like measles, skin infections, or food allergies. But if the child has a rash along with the signs and symptoms such as high fever, chills, achiness, and sore throat, then a doctor can get a better picture of the disease. In many cases, the patient's signs and symptoms alone do not give doctors enough clues to find the cause of a disease. Then medical tests, such as x-rays, blood tests or biopsy may be needed.
How causes of cancer signs and symptoms?
Cancer is a group of diseases that can cause almost any sign or symptoms. The signs and symptoms will depend on where the cancer is, how big it is, and how much it affects the nearby organs or tissues. If the cancer has spread (metastasized), symptoms can appear in different parts of the body.
As the cancer grows, it can start to push on nearby organs, blood vessels, and nerves. These pressures make the most of the signs and symptoms of cancer. If the cancer is in a critical area, such as certain parts of the brain, even the smallest tumor can cause early symptoms.
But sometimes cancers start in places where it does not cause symptoms until it grows large enough. Pancreatic cancer, for example, usually do not grow large enough to be felt from outside the body. Some pancreatic cancers do not cause symptoms until they begin to grow around nearby nerves (this causes back pain). Others grow around the bile ducts and obstruct the flow of bile. This causes yellowing eyes and skin called jaundice. By the time a pancreatic cancer causes these signs or symptoms, usually in an advanced stage. This means has grown and spread beyond where it began - the pancreas.
But sometimes cancers start in places where it does not cause symptoms until it grows large enough. Pancreatic cancer, for example, usually do not grow large enough to be felt from outside the body. Some pancreatic cancers do not cause symptoms until they begin to grow around nearby nerves (this causes back pain). Others grow around the bile ducts and obstruct the flow of bile. This causes yellowing eyes and skin called jaundice. By the time a pancreatic cancer causes these signs or symptoms, usually in an advanced stage. This means has grown and spread beyond where it began - the pancreas.
A cancer may also cause symptoms such as fever, extreme tiredness (fatigue), or weight loss. This may be because cancer cells spend a lot of energy supply of the body, or they can release substances that change the way the body makes energy from food. Or cancer can cause the immune system to react in ways that produce these symptoms.
Sometimes, cancer cells release substances into the bloodstream that cause symptoms not usually associated with cancer. For example, a cancer of the pancreas can release substances that cause blood clots in leg veins. Some lung cancers make hormone-like substances that increase blood calcium levels. It affects the nerves and muscles, making the person feel weak and dizzy.
No comments:
Post a Comment