What signs of cancer indicate that a malignant tumor has arisen in the body, how to recognize cancer in order to prevent its development in time? Why are the symptoms of oncology ignored by many people and not perceived as signs of illness? Many people have a lot of questions about how to identify cancer. Let's look at this in more detail. Most often, malignant tumors occur against the background of chronic diseases. Precancer today includes diseases such as:
- gastritis, when acidity is reduced, stomach ulcer;
- hepatitis B or C;
- mastopathy;
- erosive condition, dysplasia phenomenon
But how can you tell if you have cancer?
The main thing can be considered new, previously non-occurring sensations that are unfamiliar to the person. If a person notices something that he has not felt before, it would be wise to consult a doctor.
Symptoms of cancer also include:
- feeling of weakness;
- intoxication;
- loss of appetite, weight loss;
- heat;
- stress, depression.
Along with these signs of oncology, so-called local symptoms of cancer are often observed. This is usually due to a malfunction of the target organ. Therefore, it is important to know the symptoms of cancer of different locations in order to immediately consult a doctor and not waste precious time.
First signs of cancer
If we talk about the first signs, then when the lung is affected, it is a dry cough, tickling and coughing, which subsequently develops and interferes. Then a state of shortness of breath and discomfort in the chest appears, which in no way correlates with inhalation and exhalation. Many people think that the reason lies in the fact that the heart is failing.
The first signs of stomach cancer are dull pain in the abdomen that occurs between breakfast and lunch, lunch and dinner. Feeling of bloating, a full stomach, gases that constantly escape. Subsequently, vomiting of food that was eaten the day before, and after which relief occurs. Gastric bleeding and pallor of the dermis, hypotension, enlarged lymph nodes - these symptoms appear later.
In case of rectal cancer, the first signs of oncology are constipation or, on the contrary, semi-liquid stool with a fetid odor, often there is a feeling of not completely emptying the intestines, a pseudo-desire to go to the toilet. Quite often, the very first sign of cancer is a dull, aching pain radiating to the sacrum or tailbone.
With pancreatic cancer, the first thing that occurs is pain, the person begins to lose a lot of weight, by about 11-16% per month. With esophageal cancer, drooling appears - this is the first and earliest symptom of this cancer, as well as difficulty swallowing.
The first signs in women
The first signs of cancer in women, non-hormone-dependent organs, are usually the same as in men. However, there are types of cancer that exclusively affect women: cervical/uterine cancer, breast cancer, and ovarian tumors.
The first symptoms of oncology in women, that is, for example, breast cancer, include:
- discharge from the nipple, often bloody, retraction of the areola;
- changes in skin color around the nipple;
- increased body temperature;
- erosion around the nipple, areas with crusts;
- swelling of the lymph nodes in the area of the collarbone and armpit;
- swelling of the arm on the side where the tumor is.
In the case of cervical cancer in the early stages of the development of this cancer, the first symptoms of cancer in women are absent and/or they overlap with concomitant diseases associated with inflammation. Noticeable visual changes in cervical cancer include sometimes an irregular monthly cycle and the appearance of spotting between menstruation.
If the body of the uterus is affected, then the main first symptom is uterine bleeding, which often occurs during menopause. Also, the first signs of cancer of this female organ are cramping pain.
Malignant ovarian tumors account for approximately 20% of all malignant neoplasms in women. Diagnosing ovarian cancer is a complex medical problem. There are primary and secondary ovarian cancer. In the initial stages, there may be no first signs of this cancer. The pain syndrome is usually erased, women ignore their sensations. In case of ovarian cancer, it is important to pay attention to the following changes:
- How often does constipation occur?
- Are there any urinary problems?
- whether heaviness appeared in the lower abdomen;
- how strong is the feeling of general weakness and fatigue.
All of the above statements may be the first signs of cancer in women.
How long do you live with uterine cancer?
The prognosis for uterine cancer is directly related to two factors: the degree of development of the cancer and the age of the patient. If a tumor is detected in time and adequately treated in a woman under 50 years of age, the five-year survival rate is 91%, and after 70 years of age it is only 61%. Now let's look at how many people live with uterine cancer after surgery in accordance with the diagnosis.
Depending on the degree of tumor differentiation, 5 years without relapse are recorded:
- at low: 64%;
- at average: 86%;
- at high: 92%.
What are the prospects if the cancer has metastases? The patient can live 5 years without relapse:
- in 90% of cases, if stage 2 or stage 1 uterine cancer was diagnosed, that is, there were no metastases to the lymph nodes;
- in 54% of cases, if the cancer is accompanied by a metastatic process (stage 3 and stage 4).
For hormone-dependent and autonomous tumors, the five-year prognosis for life expectancy without relapse is 90% and 60%, respectively.
If stage 4 or 3 uterine cancer is detected, the prognosis is the least favorable. How long will a person live if uterine carcinoma is detected too late? The percentage of patients surviving for 5 years if an inoperable fourth stage was discovered is only 5%, with the third - about 30%.
If uterine body cancer is detected on time, how long the patient lives depends on the characteristics of the tumor, the course of the disease, relapses after treatment, etc. The possibility of surgical intervention is directly related to how long patients live in the future. This is explained by the low effectiveness of conservative therapy (cancer responds poorly to it compared to other types of oncology).
After surgery, the prognosis is much better, as evidenced by the average indicators: for grades 1 and 2 (operable stage): 98 and 70%, respectively. With an inoperable tumor, how long the patient will ultimately live depends on many factors (risk of relapse, type of tumor, extent of the pathological process, individual characteristics, concomitant diseases). The effectiveness of therapy and palliative treatment is also important.
The first signs of cancer in men
According to statistics, the most common types of cancer in men are esophageal cancer, lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, rectal cancer, and, of course, prostate and testicular cancer. So, with testicular cancer, the first signs of oncology in men are a painless, rather dense tumor from 1 to 10 cm or more. With prostate cancer in the early stages, the disease occurs without symptoms, but often there is a feeling of incomplete emptying of the bladder, frequent urination, mainly at night, retention or difficulty urinating. But, as a rule, the very first sign of prostate cancer in men and the appearance of metastases is pain in the pelvis and lower back. Recurrent thrombophlebitis is also a manifestation of prostate cancer.
The first signs of cancer in children
The death of children from malignant tumors today exceeds child mortality from accidents. About 20% of the total are young children. Almost 60% of children with advanced forms of cancer associated with late diagnosis die; only 10% can be saved. But with a timely diagnosis and identification of the first signs of cancer in children, up to 80% of people can be cured! Among the most common types of malignant tumors in children are:
- hemoblastoses, which include both leukemia and lymphoma;
- CNS carcinogenesis;
- Carcinogenesis of bone and soft structures;
- nephroblastoma;
- renal tumors.
In general, tumors that occur in children are not registered in the adult population. The most rare type is gastrointestinal cancer. There are two dangerous moments in a child’s life when he can get sick:
- in the period from 4 years to the moment when he turns 7 years old;
- between the ages of 11 and 12.
In children, doctors more often detect hemoblastomas, and in adolescents - formations of malignant bone structures and malignant hyperplasia of lymphoid tissue. As a rule, tumors in the non-adult population arise in the mother’s womb. Sometimes they happen under the influence of oncogenic components that pass through the placenta to the fetus, in others due to the influence of various negative environmental and internal factors even when the mother is carrying a child. With genetic pathologies, cancer is often associated with them.
What are the first signs of cancer in children that a doctor can detect when examining such a child? For example, with lymphoma, the region of the lymph nodes expands, and with malignant liver tumors, changes in the symmetry of the abdomen occur. The limbs also change in shape and size; this is typical for bone cancer.
What are the causes and signs of the disease
Such instability becomes one of the reasons for the formation of a benign tumor. But hormonal imbalance is not the only reason for the formation of fibroids.
Uterine fibroids during menopause can grow due to:
- Shifts in the menstrual cycle.
- History of gynecological diseases, especially those that have taken a chronic form.
- Venereal diseases. Such a pathology can provoke tumor growth.
- Hereditary predisposition. If one of your female relatives had fibroids, then the chances of its formation in the next generations are very high.
- A long period from the first menstruation to the last. Women who continue to have periods even at 50 years of age are at risk.
- Bad habits. Fibroids are especially often detected in women who drink alcohol. Why is this happening? Because all bad habits affect hormonal metabolism.
- Lack of sex life.
Some women, without knowing it, trigger the formation of a tumor. Self-administered uncontrolled use of hormones can have a similar effect.
To say that fibroids form only during menopause is completely wrong. A benign tumor can also be diagnosed in younger women. Very rarely, with the onset of menopause, with changes in hormone levels, fibroid resorption occurs. But such a development of events occurs so rarely that you should not count on a similar outcome of the disease. To disappear on its own, fibroids must be small in size, that is, not exceed 2 cm, and grow from the muscular layer of the uterus.
Temperature in oncology
An increase in temperature when oncology occurs is one of the first signs of illness and tumor intoxication. What temperature occurs with cancer? During oncology, the temperature usually exceeds normal levels in the evening; it is not high, but the person feels that it is elevated. Temperature jumps may not be as large, but noticeable. For example, from 37.1 to 37.5-6 C to 38 C. This condition is evidence of poisoning (intoxication) of the human body as a result of tumor decomposition and poisoning by its decay products. Also, a high temperature in oncology is a sign that infection has occurred and inflammation has begun.
Cysts in the ovaries
The ovaries produce eggs and female sex hormones (estrogens and progesterone), and their functioning is vital for any woman.
However, by the time a woman reaches menopause, she worries about the possibility of cystic tumors and ovarian cancer. In general, cysts form in the ovaries constantly - as long as the menstrual cycle continues. The dominant follicle in which the egg matures is a benign cyst. During ovulation, the follicle ruptures and the mature egg is released into the abdominal cavity.
If ovulation does not occur, the follicle may continue to grow, and thus the cyst will increase in size. Such a cyst is called functional because it is formed during the normal functioning of the female genital organs from normal tissues. It is not dangerous and usually disappears before the next menstrual cycle. But if this does not happen, problems may begin. In this case, it is better to undergo an examination to make sure that there is no danger.
A cyst can also develop in the corpus luteum after the egg leaves the ovary. After the egg is expelled, the follicle does not remain empty: it is filled with blood vessels and new cells, from which the corpus luteum is then formed. As mentioned above, it is in the corpus luteum that progesterone is produced - the hormone for maintaining pregnancy.
If pregnancy does not occur, the corpus luteum shrinks, forming a tiny scar. Therefore, normally, corpus luteum does not exist for long - no more than two weeks. It’s another matter if blood gets into the corpus luteum, and this can happen if the surface of the ovary bleeds. In this case, a swollen, blood-filled cyst can exist much longer - a month, two, and sometimes even longer. Such a cyst can also disappear on its own, or it can “linger” in the body, causing trouble for the woman.
Another common type of ovarian cyst is a small tumor filled with fluid and sometimes even fat and hair (dermoid cyst). Some fill with mucus and can grow to the size of a full term pregnancy; they are called mucinous.
Other cysts are caused by elements of the uterine lining and menstrual blood entering the ovary and are called endometriotic. These types of ovarian cysts are considered true, not functional, and require mandatory surgical treatment, as they can degenerate into malignant ones.
Seven out of ten ovarian cysts are functional varieties and go away on their own with the start of the next menstrual cycle. If the cyst persists longer, causing pain or bleeding, or becomes too large, it should definitely be examined.
Using an ultrasound examination, you can find out its type, size and features. Most ovarian cysts do not cause any symptoms, and you may not even know you have one until your doctor discovers it during a routine checkup or with an ultrasound.
But if ovarian cysts become too large, they can put too much pressure on the bladder, intestines, or abdominal wall. Sometimes this causes sudden severe pain, possibly accompanied by nausea, as it erupts or twists around itself. This pain usually goes away quite quickly, but sometimes persists for a long time. In any case, you need to immediately understand the reasons for this phenomenon by contacting a gynecologist.
A woman, regardless of age, should regularly check the condition of her reproductive organs. Without an examination, you may not know you have an ovarian cyst until it grows too large and causes problems.
Each cyst that has not disappeared within a month (or so) after its occurrence and has grown more than 5 cm (in a woman with a preserved menstrual cycle) or more than 2 cm (in a woman of menopausal age) requires careful examination.
In most cases, it is removed no later than 3-4 months after discovery, even if it turns out to be completely benign. This is done in order to avoid the possibility of its rupture or torsion and to finally make sure that it is benign.
A blood test can also provide valuable information in this regard, especially in women whose menstrual cycle has already stopped. In menopausal women with positive ultrasound results and normal CA-125 test results (a so-called tumor marker for ovarian cancer), the likelihood that the cyst will be malignant is very low.
The cyst can be removed using laparoscopy (through small incisions in the umbilical area), unless it is too large or the ultrasound results are questionable. Then abdominal surgery with dissection of the abdominal wall (laparotomy) will be more likely to be chosen - so that the doctor can better examine the ovaries and adjacent organs.
Why do people lose weight with cancer?
Why do people lose weight with cancer? First of all, due to the fact that a person simply stops wanting to eat, his appetite disappears during illness. Weight loss in cancer occurs on average from the initial body weight. That is, if a person weighed 70 kg, this is approximately 5-7 kilograms per month. Parting with kilograms, of course, does not pass without a trace and affects your health and well-being. In turn, a decrease in the desire to eat food is associated with the toxic effect of toxins in the tumor. How does weight loss occur during cancer? At first, a certain capriciousness appears in decisions about “what to eat” for lunch or breakfast. Then the person with cancer stops eating altogether; he is not interested in food. The diet ceases to be regular, the patient eats against his will, in tiny portions. Weight loss in cancer is also associated with impaired metabolism of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, salts and water. The production of hormones and enzyme production are disrupted. For example, if there is cancer of the stomach, intestines, or liver, a malfunction occurs that prevents food from being absorbed. Most of all, a person loses weight sharply if there are malignant tumors of the pancreas, esophagus, or stomach. This is not how weight comes off if you are diagnosed with colon cancer. It is important to understand that with such types of cancer as breast cancer, thyroid cancer, uterine cancer, melanoma, weight loss, weakness and loss of appetite are not observed.
Prevention of gynecological diseases during menopause
- The main preventive measure for the occurrence of cancer is the use of hormonal contraceptives.
- It is extremely necessary to monitor your weight and ensure that it does not exceed 80 kilograms.
- Watch your diet: include foods that contain fiber in your diet. These include fresh vegetables and fruits. They have been scientifically proven to reduce the risk of cancer.
- It is important that the body has enough vitamin D. To replenish it, you need to eat fish and seafood, and include dairy products in your diet.
- Take sun and air baths.
Thus, uterine cancer has a good chance of developing when a woman is in menopause. Therefore, during this period of time it is extremely important to monitor your health, pay attention to every little detail and regularly go to the doctor.
Cancer is a very insidious disease, since it may not manifest itself for quite a long time, and be detected only when treatment no longer makes any sense. To prevent this from happening, follow preventive measures and be sensitive to your women's health.
Interesting and educational video on the topic:
https://youtu.be/O-9FDRzf6uU
About
Cough with cancer
As a rule, coughing in cancer is the main symptom of some types of malignant tumors. For example, it accompanies lung cancer, first as a cough, during the day and/or evening, more often at night. Also, coughing in oncology is possible if a person develops esophageal cancer. In this case, it also comes with pain behind the chest area, between the shoulder blades, and hoarseness. With stomach cancer, cough does not become the leading symptom, just like with intestinal cancer. Sometimes cough in oncology appears as a side effect of radiation therapy for cancer.
How else can cancer be determined at an early stage?
To begin cancer treatment as early as possible, new methods have been developed. One of them is called fluorescent diagnostics.
The essence of the method is the introduction into the uterus of luminous substances that can accumulate in cancer cells. And if, during irradiation, part of the organ begins to glow, the focus of the future neoplasm is located there.
A biopsy sample is then taken from the designated area. Curettage of the uterus is also performed. The effectiveness of all these actions at the zero and first stages of cancer is determined within the range of 78-100% accuracy.
While the tumor is located within the uterus, it is easy to confuse it with similar abnormalities. These include manifestations of endometrial polyp, endometrial hyperplasia, submucosal myoma.
And to accurately determine the cause of the disease, the use of several diagnostic methods is often required. And more than once.
Weakness and sweating
Weakness that occurs with cancer is an extended symptom that is characteristic of many types of malignant tumors. Usually, the first thing that occurs is fatigue, which can manifest itself at any time in the office or at home. This condition, as a rule, indicates systematic poisoning of the body with toxins from a collapsing tumor. Moreover, the stronger the intoxication, the higher the weakness in oncology.
Scientifically, the syndrome of exhaustion and weakness in oncology is called cachesia (from the Greek kakos - bad, bad, kexis - condition). In the terminal stages, cachexia is also accompanied by sweating. Why does this happen, why does the body have no strength? This is due to the fact that muscle and active body mass decreases, muscles become atrophic, and vital organs, such as the heart, decrease in size, because this is also a muscle.
Sweating in oncology is also associated with intoxication, as well as other disorders in the functioning of the nervous and endocrine systems.
Video - Cancer Symptoms
