Symptoms of Different Types of Cancer

Symptoms of Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is cancer that occurs in the cells of the breasts. Men and women can become potential Breast Cancer victims, but it is rarely seen in men. The survival rate of Breast Cancer patients has substantially increased due to many factors, including early detection of breast cancer, advanced treatment approaches, and comprehensive research for thoroughly analyzing and determining the disease.

The standard Breast Cancer symptoms are:

• Formation of a lump or thickening of the breast
• Strangely inverted nipple
• Change in appearance, shape, and size of the breast
• Dimpling, redness, and itchiness in breast skin
• Purple discoloration on the breast
• Scaling, peeling, flaking, or crushing of the breast skin

Symptoms of Colon Cancer

Colon cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the large intestine (the colon). It is commonly seen in older adults and usually begins as a non-cancerous polyp, which may become cancerous over time. Colon Cancer is also mentioned as colorectal cancer, a term that combines Colon Cancer and Rectal Cancer.

The common Colon Cancer symptoms are:

• Blood in stool
• Abdominal discomfort, such as cramps
• Change in bowel habits
• Diarrhea and Constipation
• Feeling that bowel has not completely emptied

Symptoms of Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the prostate gland, a small walnut-shaped gland located next to the bladder. The prostate plays a vital role in producing the fluid for semen—the fluid in the prostate transfers to the urethra during ejaculation. This is a common type of cancer, with about 1 in 9 men calculated to be diagnosed with it during their lifetime and the second most cause of cancer death in men.

The common Prostate Cancer symptoms are:

• Pain or burning sensation during urinating
• Blood in urine or semen
• Pain during ejaculation
• Discomfort in the lower pelvic area
• Erectile dysfunction
• Less force in the urine stream

Symptoms of Stomach Cancer

Stomach cancer is a type of cancer that begins in any of the three main parts of the stomach; cardia, fundus, and pylorus. Cancer usually begins in the mucus-producing cells that line the stomach. Also called gastric cancer, this is prevalent cancer in India and affects men more than women.

The typical Stomach Cancer symptoms are:

• Sense of fullness, even after a small meal
• Nausea or vomiting
• Swelling or bloating of the abdomen
• Pain in stomach
• Indigestion
• Black-colored feces

Symptoms of Liver Cancer

Liver cancer begins in the liver, a football-shaped organ in the abdomen’s upper right quadrant, just under the ribs. The liver is the body’s largest glandular organ and performs numerous vital functions to free the body from toxins.

The usual Liver Cancer symptoms are:

• Pain in the abdomen
• Yellowing of skin and eyes
• Swollen belly veins that are visible through the skin
• White, chalky stools
• Enlarged liver or spleen
• Abdominal swelling or fluid buildup

Symptoms of Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is the abnormal growth of cancerous cells in the outermost layer of skin(epidermis). Skin Cancer mainly occurs on the surface of skin majorly exposed to the sun, but it is also recorded in unexposed areas. The primary cause of Skin Cancer is harmful sunlight, which causes a mutation in the DNA, leading to unrepaired DNA damage. There are mainly three types of Skin Cancer – basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma.

The general Skin Cancer symptoms are:

• A new mole, unusual growth, or dark spots that won’t go away.
• Spots on skins with unusual colors like white, red, pink, black, or blue
• Lesions with ragged or uneven borders
• Spots with a diameter of more than one-quarter inch and growing.
• A painful lesion that burns or itches
• A bleeding sore that heals and returns

Symptoms of Basal cell carcinoma

Basal cell carcinoma(BCC) is the least dangerous type of skin cancer but is also the most common. It generally occurs on sun-exposed areas such as the upper torso, neck, and head. Fair-skinned people are more likely to develop Basal cell carcinoma. If not properly diagnosed, BCC can grow deep and penetrate the nerves and bones.

The typical basal cell carcinoma symptoms are:

• Waxy or pearly bump
• Flesh-colored lesion
• Bleeding sore that continuously heals and returns

Symptoms of Squamous cell carcinoma

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the second most common Skin Cancer type. It is not as dangerous as melanoma but can spread to other body parts if not treated properly. SCC forms mainly on the skin that is frequently exposed to the sun, like the face, neck, arms, ears, and back. SCC accounts for approximately 20% of the total number of Skin Cancer cases.

The typical squamous cell carcinoma symptoms include:

• A red, firm nodule on the skin
• A new sore or raised area on an old ulcer
• Red sore or patch inside the mouth
• Flat sore with a rough and scaly crust
• Rough patch on the lip that may evolve into an open sore

Symptoms of Melanoma Cancer

Melanoma is the most severe Skin Cancer and tends to spread very quickly. If proper Skin Cancer treatment is not provided, melanoma can become life-threatening in six weeks. Mainly, it develops within a mole already present on the skin. It can be of more than one color and has an uneven smudgy outline.

The common melanoma symptoms are:

• A painful lesion that burns or itches
• A brownish patch with dark spots
• A small lesion with an irregular border and maybe in red, white, blue, or pink color
• Dark lesions on palms, soles, fingertips, or toes
• Lesions on the lining of the mouth, nose, vagina, or anus
• A mole that bleeds or changes in color, size, or feels

Symptoms of Head & Neck Cancer

Head and neck cancers collectively refer to cancers that can affect parts of the head, the nose, the throat, and the mouth. It begins by affecting these organs’ mucosal surfaces, particularly the squamous cells, and later spreads and affect parts of the skin, liver, breasts, lymph nodes, genitalia, lungs, liver, and bones.

Several different head and neck cancers arise, affecting the different parts of the head, neck, and throat. Broadly, they can be classified as:

Symptoms of Throat Cancer:

Cancer affects parts of the throat, such as the pharynx, larynx, and tonsils.

The common throat cancer symptoms are:

• Lump in the nose, neck, or cheeks
• Persistent sore throat and mouth pain
• Difficulty in speaking, breathing, or hearing
• Change in voice
• Pain or ringing in the ear and throat
• White or red patches inside the mouth

Symptoms of Laryngeal Cancer:

Cancer affects the larynx (voice box) along with the vocal cords.

The common laryngeal cancer symptoms are:

• Change in voice
• Persistent sore throat and cough
• Difficulty in breathing
• Continuous ear-ache
• Lump and swelling in the neck
• Pain or difficulty while swallowing

Symptoms of Oral Cancer:

It is cancer that affects the squamous cells that line parts of the mouth, including lips, mouth, gums, and tongue.

The typical oral cavity cancer symptoms are:

• Persistent soreness on the lips and mouth
• Bleeding or numbness in the lip or mouth
• Red or white patches on the gums, tongue, or lining of the mouth
• Difficulty or Pain while chewing or swallowing
• Swelling of jaw or lumps in gums or lips

Symptoms of Nasal Cavity and Paranasal sinus Cancer:

Cancer affects areas near the nose, such as the nasal cavity and the sinuses’ paranasal cells.

Common symptoms are:

• Runny nose or nosebleeds
• Blocked sinuses or sinus pressure
• Headaches and numbness in the face
• Persistent lump in the nose or on the roof of the mouth
• Swelling in eyes
• Pain in upper teeth

Symptoms of Cancer of the Salivary Gland:

It occurs when malignant cells form in the salivary glands’ tissues.

The typical salivary gland cancer symptoms are:

• Difficulty while swallowing food
• Pain or difficulty in opening the mouth
• Fluid discharge from the ear
• Lump near the ear, lips, cheeks, jaw, or inside of the mouth
• Persistent Pain and numbness in the face

Symptoms of Esophageal Cancer:

Esophageal cancer occurs in the esophagus (food pipe). Esophageal cancer is the sixth most common cause of cancer deaths globally due to excessive Tobacco and Alcohol consumption.

Early-stage esophageal cancer typically shows few symptoms, but as it grows, the following symptoms become profound:

• Indigestion or heartburn
• Difficulty or Pain while swallowing
• Chest Pain or discomfort
• Persistent coughs and hoarseness

Symptoms of Uterine Cancer:

Uterine cancer forms in the different tissues of the uterus, the most common being endometrial cancer. Usually, uterine cancer may not show any symptoms at the first stage. The common uterine cancer symptoms that are seen are:

• Abnormal vaginal bleeding or discharge
• Pain in the pelvic region
• Vaginal bleeding after menopause
• Bleeding in between periods

Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer:

Ovarian cancer starts in the ovaries and is the leading cause of cancer deaths among women. Ovarian Cancer shows minimal symptoms and is, therefore, hard to diagnose early, leading to its high mortality rate. For this reason, Ovarian Cancer is also known as Silent Cancer.

The common Ovarian Cancer symptoms are:

• A constant urge for urination
• Abdominal inflammation
• Constipation
• Abnormal Pain during menstruating
• Pain in the pelvis region
• Nausea and vomiting

Symptoms of Cervical Cancer:

Cervical cancer forms in the tissues of the cervix. There are usually no Cervical Cancer symptoms, but cancer can be diagnosed with a Pap Test or HPV screening test. The Human Papillomavirus( HPV) causes almost all cervical cancers, and therefore cervical cancers at the early stages can be treated with an HPV vaccine.

The common Cervical Cancer symptoms that become visible at a later stage are:

• Vaginal discharge or bleeding
• Pain during sex
• Abnormal bleeding after intercourse
• Chronic back or pelvic pain
• Menstrual bleeding exceeds the usual number of days

Symptoms of Vaginal Cancer:

Cancer that starts in the vagina is vaginal cancer. Vaginal cancer is rare and has a high survival rate if diagnosed early. It commonly occurs in the cells that line the vagina’s surface, sometimes called the birth canal. Pain and abnormal vaginal bleeding are the most common symptoms of vaginal cancers.

The typical vaginal cancer symptoms are:

• Watery vaginal discharge
• Pain during urination
• Abnormal vaginal bleeding after intercourse or menopause
• Small lump in the vagina
• Frequent urge for urination
• Persistent pelvic pain
• Constipation

Symptoms of Vulvar Cancer:

Vulvar cancer is a comparatively rare disease in which cancer forms in the tissues of the vulva, the female genitalia. Vulvar cancer is mainly associated with HPV infection, like cervical or vaginal cancer. Vulvar cancers can be detected in regular gynecologic exams and treated with HPV vaccines.

The usual vulvar cancer symptoms are:

• Persistent itching
• Pain and discomfort in the pelvic area
• Abnormal bleeding and discharge
• Change of skin color in the vulvar region
• A small lump or sore in the region

Symptoms of Kidney Cancer:

Kidney cancer occurs in the kidneys, the two bean-shaped organs behind the abdominal organs. There are several types of kidney cancers, with renal cell carcinoma, the most common type and usually seen in adults, and Wilm’s tumor, more commonly seen as kidney cancer in children.

The usual kidney cancer symptoms are:

• Blood in the urine
• Persistent Pain in the back
• Small lump on the lower back
• Persistent fever
• Anemia

Symptoms of Pancreatic Cancer:

Pancreatic cancer occurs in the pancreatic tissues and is difficult to identify in the early stages. The pancreas is the organ responsible for digestion and checking blood sugar, and it is located in the abdomen, behind the lower stomach. Unfortunately, Pancreatic Cancer is highly metastatic and spreads directly to vital organs such as bile ducts, intestines, major blood vessels, etc., located right next to it.

The common Pancreatic Cancer symptoms are:

• Abdominal Pain or bloating
• Lower back pain
• Indigestion and other digestive problems
• Changes in stool
• Diabetes
• Enlarged gallbladder
• Jaundice

Symptoms of Brain Cancer:

Brain cancer occurs when malignant cells overgrow in the brain tissues. These cells overgrow to form tumors, which may interfere with brain functions such as memory, muscle control, sensation, and other bodily functions. Unfortunately, brain tumors often overgrow and can be quite life-threatening.

The usual Brain Cancer symptoms are:

• Headaches that may be acute or persistent and may worsen in the morning
• Vision change; blurred or double vision
• Muscle twitches or spasms
• Difficulty in general motory functions
• Weakness of one side of the body
• Nausea or vomiting
• Inability to speak or understand
• Numbness, fatigue, or vertigo

Symptoms of Thyroid Cancer:

Thyroid cancer occurs in the thyroid, a butterfly-shaped gland below Adam’s apple. The thyroid is the organ responsible for regulating the heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, and weight. The initial stage of thyroid cancer may not show any profound symptoms and will be hard to diagnose.

The typical thyroid cancer symptoms are:

• A lump that can be felt on your neck
• Change in voice, becoming more hoarse
• Difficulty or Pain during swallowing
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Pain or discomfort in the neck and throat region

Symptoms of Blood Cancer:

Blood cancer occurs due to the abnormal growth of blood cells. It can also happen when the bone marrow stops producing healthy blood cells or when the multiplication of cells happens at an abnormal pace.

There are three main types of blood cancer:

Leukemia

Leukemia is cancer that affects the body’s blood-forming tissues, including bone marrow and the lymphatic system. The white blood cells multiply abnormally and cannot fight infections, harmful bacteria, and viruses entering the body. There are four main types of Leukemia, and symptoms also vary depending upon the various types.

The common symptoms of Leukemia are:

• Persistent fever or chills
• Persistent, recurrent, or severe infections
• Sudden and frequent bruising or bleeding
• Night sweats
• Repeated nosebleeds
• Swollen lymph nodes or spleen
• Tiny red spots
• Bone or joint Pain and tenderness

Lymphoma

Lymphoma is cancer that affects the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system comprises lymph nodes, spleen, throat, thymus, and lymphatic tissue found in the small intestine. Its primary function is moving the white blood cells to and from the lymph nodes. There are more than 60 types of lymphoma, which is broadly categorized into two types:

Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

Hodgkin’s Lymphoma starts in the B-cells responsible for forming antibodies for the body and can be identified by large lymphocytes at the lymph nodes.

The typical Hodgkin’s Lymphoma symptoms are:

• Swelling of lymph nodes
• Persistent Fatigue and fever
• Night sweats
• Severe itching
• Pain in lymph nodes after Alcohol consumption

Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

This type of Blood Cancer observed in T-cells of the body is more common than Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

The typical Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma symptoms are:

• Persistent fever and fatigue
• Abdominal swelling
• Pain in the chest and abdomen
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Night sweats

Myeloma

Myeloma is a type of blood cancer affecting the white blood cells that make antibodies called plasma cells. It occurs when B-cells do not develop into plasma cells, and these immature cells are produced rapidly. They produce antibodies that cannot prevent infections and hinder other normal cells’ functions.

The usual Myeloma symptoms are:

• Bone Pain and tenderness
• Pain in chest and spine
• Mental fogginess or confusion
• Persistent Fatigue and nausea
• Weakness in legs
• Excessive thirst

Symptoms of Bone Cancer:

Bone cancer is cancer that affects the bones in our body. It can occur anywhere in the body but is commonly seen in the bones in the pelvis region or the long bones in the arms and legs. Bone cancers are rare, making up only 1% of total cancers.

The typical bone cancer symptoms include:

• Pain in bones
• Radiating Pain in arms or legs due to the tumor rubbing nearby nerves
• Swelling of bones
• Feeling tenderness in the area
• Easily broken bones

Symptoms of Rectal Cancer:

Rectal cancer occurs in the rectum, the last few inches of the large intestine. The rectum starts at the end of the colon and ends at the anus. Even though Rectal Cancer and Colon Cancer are often clubbed together as colorectal cancer, the treatment methods are quite different. This is mainly because the rectum sits in a tight space surrounded by other organs and structures, making it hard to be removed through Surgery.

The common Rectal Cancer symptoms are:

• Change in bowel habits, including Diarrhea and constipation
• Blood in stool
• Narrow stool
• Feeling that bowel hasn’t emptied completely

Symptoms of Anal Cancer:

Anal cancer is a rare type of cancer that begins in the anal canal, the short tube at the end of the rectum through which stool is removed from the body. If diagnosed early, anal cancer is highly treatable. It is more common in adults over the age of 60.

The common anal cancer symptoms are:

• Itching in the area of the anus
• Pain in the area of the anus
• Bleeding from the anus
• Blood in stool
• Small lump near the anus
• Change in bowel habits

Symptoms of Eye Cancer:

Eye cancer is a comparatively rare type of cancer. Intraocular cancer is cancer that starts inside the eyeball. Melanoma is the most common type of eye cancer, along with Lymphoma and retinoblastoma in children. Most melanomas form in the eye parts, which are not usually visible in the mirror, making it hard to diagnose them early.

The common eye cancer symptoms are:

• Having troubled or blurred vision
• Seeing flashes of light
• Seeing spots or lines
• Having a dark spot on the iris
• Bulging of eye
• Growing lump in the eye or eyelid

Symptoms of Small intestine Cancer:

Small intestine cancer occurs in the small intestine, which connects the stomach to the large intestine. Its primary function is to break down and absorb the nutrients and vitamins from food. When cancer occurs, tumor cells may block the food pathway, leading to complications.

The typical small intestine cancer symptoms are:

• Swelling in the abdomen
• Pain or discomfort in the abdomen
• Blood in stool
• Anemia or jaundice
• Vomiting and nausea

Symptoms of Gallbladder Cancer:

Gallbladder cancer is a rare type that begins in the gallbladder, a pear-shaped organ on the right side of the abdomen below the liver. It stores bile, a digestive fluid produced by the liver. Gallbladder cancer is often diagnosed at a later stage since the symptoms are not very profound and due to its location in the body.

The usual gallbladder cancer symptoms are:

• Abdominal Pain and cramps
• Abdominal bloating
• Yellowing of skin
• Nausea and vomiting
• Itchy skin

Symptoms of Spleen Cancer:

Spleen cancer occurs in the spleen, a small organ in the upper-left side of the stomach. The spleen is part of the lymphatic system and does several functions, such as filtering out damaged blood cells, sending blood to the liver, preventing infections, and helping the blood clot. Spleen cancer often shows no symptoms.

The most common spleen cancer symptoms when it happens are:

• Enlarged spleen
• Abdomen pain
• Night sweats
• Persistent fever and infections
• Bleeding easily

Symptoms of Spinal Cancer:

Spinal cancer occurs when cells grow out of control in the spinal cord or bones, forming a tumor. The spinal cord is a vital part of the central nervous system, extending from the brain to the pelvis.

The typical spinal cancer symptoms are:

• Pain in the back, neck, arms, or legs
• Numbness in the arms or legs
• Loss of sense
• Varying degrees of paralysis
• Difficulty in walking
• Spinal deformities

What are the Symptoms of Nail Cancer?

Nail cancer or subungual melanoma is a rare cancer that forms under the fingernails. It can spread to other body parts if undetected in the early stages.

The typical nail cancer symptoms are:

• Black bands of color in the nail
• Splitting or bleeding nail
• Slow healing of nail lesions
• Pain in nail
• Formation of pus in nail

Symptoms of Penile Cancer:

Penile cancer is cancer that occurs in the penis. It is a rare type of cancer that can become deadly if left untreated. It often starts in the outer skin and spreads inside the penis.

The general penile cancer symptoms are:

• Changes in skin thickness
• Small lump on the penis
• Ulcer or rash on the penis
• Smelly discharge from the foreskin
• Small swelling in the penis

Symptoms of Ear Cancer:

Ear cancer is a rare type of cancer that occurs in both the inner and external parts of the ear. It often starts from the outer skin and spreads inside the ear. A small percentage of ear cancer also occurs inside the ear.

The typical ear cancer symptoms are:

• Lump near the ear canal
• Ear pain
• Hearing loss
• Rough and scaly patches of skin near the ear
• Ringing in ears
• Bleeding or discharge from the ear