Skip to main content
  • Cancer
    Cancer is a group of diseases characterised by out-of-control cell growth. There are more than 100 different types of cancer. The cancer is named after the area of the body or organ where it originates.
Submitted by Dr S. Patel on 15 October 2015
Cancer Signs and Symptoms

Cancer symptoms depend on the site and size of the cancer and how much it has affected the organ. If the cancer has spread, symptoms may appear in different parts of the body. Common symptoms include:

  • Unexpected weight loss – Unexplained weight loss, without changes in diet or exercise can be a symptom of various cancers, including pancreatic, stomach, oesophageal, and lung cancer.
  • Persistent fatigue and fever that does not improve with the rest, often caused by the body’s immune response to the disease or by the cancer cells.
  • A persistent cough, blood in cough or hoarseness that lasts for several weeks to months could be a sign of lung cancer or throat cancer.
  • A lump or swelling identified in the breast, testicle, lymph nodes, or other parts of the body.
  • Skin colour, texture changes or development of new lesions can be a sign of skin cancer such as melanoma. Non healing ulcers on the skin, inside the mouth or the genital area increase the risk of oral or genital cancers.
  • Loss of appetite or eating problems such as difficulty in swallowing can be an indication of the cancers affecting digestive system.
  • Blood in the stool or urine may be a sign of colorectal, bladder, or kidney cancer.
  • Changes in bowel habits, such as diarrhoea, constipation, or changes in stool consistency, size, or shape, can indicate colorectal or other abdominal cancers.
Changed
26/Apr/2024
Community
Condition

Stories

  • Food Safety for Weakened Immunity
    Cancer and its treatment like Chemotherapy and Stem Cell Therapy can weaken your body's immune system and make you vulnerable to food borne diseases. Dr Shital Raval recommends some guidelines to help keep your food safe and prevent infections. Cancer treatment often weakens the person’s immunity. This is called immunosuppression, a situation in which the body's immune system is made less effective usually by drugs. It puts the patient at a higher risk of contracting infections and food-borne…
  • Does Targeted Cancer Drug Work?
    A clinical trial update on long term research carried out on patients with advanced gastro intestinal stromal tumours 10% of patients with advanced and aggressive GIST cancer have survived more than 10 years after treatment with one of the first successful targeted cancer drugs. They are living free of any progression of their cancer. These are based on long-term results from a major international clinical trial of patients with advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST) a decade after…
  • Fertility Preservation in Cancer Patients
    Dr Shruti Mohanka, a fertility specialist and gynaecologist at Global hospital in Mumbai helps us understand how fertility preservation should addressed for all young male and female patients undergoing cancer treatment. Fertility preservation is a critical element of improving quality of life in cancer survivors. Young children and young adults often survive cancer and may wish to have families in the future. They and their families need to be aware that preserving fertility is an option. Too…
  • Palliative Care Centre in Memory of her Daughter
    The Romila Palliative Care Centre was started by Dr Armida Fernandez, after she lost her daughter to cancer. While the best medical care was provided to her, she felt the softer aspects of patient care were missing. Here, she talks about her desire to fill this vacuum. When and how did you start Romila Palliative Care? Romila Palliative Care started in February 2017. I lost my daughter to cancer in 2013 and at that time we felt that although the best of medical care was available, the softer…
  • Stock pic of a young woman in a white tanktop behind a table of fruits and vegetables and holding up a glass of water
    A Healthy Gut for a Happy State of Mind
    By maintaining a healthy gut or gastrointestinal tract, you can ward off a host of uncomfortable symptoms like bloating, flatulence and constipation and conditions like bowel cancer, Depression and IBS. Tips from Nutritionist Kohila Govindaraju. The importance of gut health Gut health is important. The health of the body starts with the gut to help reduce the risk of conditions like bowel cancer, constipation, etc. The food you consume is broken down to fats, proteins, and simple carbohydrates…
  • Soothing your Body and Soul with Creative Art
    Geetha Paniker, a breast cancer survivor, shares her views on how various forms of creating art, and even photography, can heal both the mind and the body. Art and craft is a source of healing the mind and body. Creative pursuits can be transformed into healing arts, which, in turn, transform you. "He who works with his hands is a laborer; He who works with his hands and his head is a craftsman; He who works with his hands, head and heart is an artist." Francis of Assisi The healing powers of…
  • My sister and I went through Chemotherapy Together
    Cara Chew, 32, from Singapore, was diagnosed with Diffused Large B-Cell Lymphoma. She shares her brush with cancer, chemo therapy and its after effects, and also how she learnt to overcome the trauma with Taichi, physical exercise and a positive mind. Cara, please tell us a bit about your condition  In December 2015, I was diagnosed with Diffused Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) at one spot located at my lower left jaw at Stage 1. Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common…
  • Why is Blood Calcium Level Important?
    This time in our Health by Numbers/Medical Tests series, Dr Shital Raval takes a look at the importance of Calcium levels in the metabolic panel. Read the previous parts on Sodium Levels, Potassium Levels and Chloride Levels CALCIUM: Calcium is an important component of our bones, teeth, nerve cells and organs such as heart and kidneys. A blood calcium test is ordered if there are any symptoms of any bone or neurological disorders, kidney stones etc or can be a part of a Comprehensive…
  • Smoking Causes Early Death Among 50% of its Users
    Dr Prakash C. Gupta, Director of Healis-Sekhsaria Institute of Public Health, has researched public health in India extensively over decades and shares with us his valuable opinions on tobacco use and cessation. Scroll down to sign the pledge The Age when it all begins Even when it may be difficult to ascertain the age in which people start smoking, the mean age of initiating tobacco use in any form in India is determined at 17.8 years: 18 for males, 17.1 for females. For smoking, it is 17.9 (…
  • What Does High or Low Platelet Count Mean?
    This time in our health by numbers/tests series, Dr Shital Raval takes a look at our platelet count that can be determined by a routine blood test. If the platelet count is high or low from the normal range, it can provide insight into various abnormalities and blood disorders including infections and cancer. A platelet count test is conducted to check the number of platelets in the blood. This test is usually a part of the CBC or complete blood count. Here is a look at what platelet count…