How to identify cancer. Leading specialists of clinics abroad. Formation and development of cancerous tumors

If cancer is diagnosed at the second stage, then from 70 to 80% of patients recover, at the third stage the chance is significantly reduced to 30-35%. However, to identify cancer formation in the early stages it can be very difficult, since it has practically no signs. However, if you listen to your own body, the tumor can be detected.

The difficulty in treatment lies also in the fact that the detected disease in the early stages does not require large material costs. Whereas in the future, only big money for money will help to cure cancer. the latest drugs and numerous treatments.

From the very beginning of its formation to the final result, cancer lives in the body for about 10 years. To date, there are about 200 varieties of malignant tumors. And each of them can be cured if you consult a doctor in time. 80% of cancers are considered self-created. To those with strong immunity healthy lifestyle life and optimistic mood of this disease is difficult to get close.

Pollution can also provoke cancer environment, impure water, polluted air and a sedentary lifestyle. Improper nutrition also gives impetus to the formation of a malignant tumor. Therefore, in 75% of the food should be predominantly of plant origin and only 25% of the animal. People who regularly eat excessively "effective" diets also contribute to tumor formation. Relatives of cancer patients are also at risk.

Symptoms suggestive of cancer

Despite all these statistics, you could already significantly spoil your health. Moreover, environmental pollution or a harmful lifestyle does not determine 100% of the formation of cancer. A malignant tumor affects everyone without exception, regardless of status, place of residence and age. And you should be wary if you regularly notice some signs of this disease:

If you have ulcerative wounds that do not heal for a long time;

If there is unexplained bleeding and bloody issues;

If seals are palpable, foreign formations on the body;

If digestion or swallowing reflex is disturbed;

If you have one large or several new ones that have unusual color shape or size of moles. Cancer can manifest itself in an existing mole, which in turn will also change color, shape or size;

If you have been suffering from cough, shortness of breath and hoarseness for a long time;

If you regularly suffer from headaches;

If you have noticeably lost weight in a few months and have no appetite at all;

If you feel pain in the bones;

If you get tired very quickly, you feel weakness in the whole body;

If without visible reasons your temperature rises;

If you often get sick;

If sweating and dizziness appear;

If swelling is felt in the area of ​​the lymph nodes. In the area of ​​​​the neck, armpits, inguinal areas;

If cracks and ulcers form on the skin, tongue, gums, palate, and so on;

If you are unable to swallow food normally;

If you feel a regular feeling of heaviness in the stomach, abdomen;

If painful sensations appear in the chest, the cough is characterized by the presence of bloody discharge;

If you notice sharp decline vision.

Each of these signs should be the reason for going to the hospital. And this does not mean that you will be given a terrible diagnosis. These signs can also appear in other diseases, which should also be treated. Because chronic diseases also cause cancer.

According to medical workers, at least once every two years, you should undergo a tomography of the whole body. So you can prevent the occurrence of serious diseases. And not just malignant tumors.

In some cases, it is enough to undergo an ultrasound or fluorography, as well as an x-ray and microscopic examination sputum.

You should also know how many stages of cancer development there are:

1. The first stage is characterized by DNA damage, which is treated with ultraviolet radiation, radioactive and chemicals. The initial stage is characterized by uncontrolled cell division, but almost 100% of the fact that this can be cured immediately.

2. At the second stage, these very "fertile" cells begin to form a tumor, grow. Nevertheless, the tumor in 70-80% can be cured.

3. At the third stage, cancer cells are able to form metastases, which can spread throughout the body through the lymph and blood. However, the tumor can still be cured in 30-35% of cases.

4. But at the fourth stage, there is practically no chance to be cured. In this case, cancer spreads everywhere - to nearby and other organs, cancer affects the entire body, tumors appear in different parts of the body.

Therefore, to determine the cancer on early stages development should be everyone's task!

Malignant tumors: signs, causes and methods of treatment

A terrible diagnosis like cancer, everyone is afraid to hear. And if before similar malignant processes found only in the elderly, today similar pathology often affects young people under 30 years of age.

Is a malignant tumor cancer or not?

The formation of malignant origin is the uncontrolled reproduction and growth of abnormal cells that contribute to the destruction of healthy tissues. Malignant tumors are dangerous for general health, and in some cases are a threat to life, because they metastasize to distant organs and are capable of invading nearby tissues.

How is it different from a benign tumor?

Distinctive features of oncology of a benign nature is the fact that such a tumor is located in a kind of capsule that separates and protects the surrounding tissues from the tumor.

The malignant nature of the tumor gives it the ability to grow into neighboring tissues, bringing severe pain and destruction, metastasizing throughout the body.

Abnormal cells divide easily and spread throughout the body through the bloodstream, stopping at different bodies and forming there a new tumor, identical to the first. Such neoplasms are called metastases.

Poor-quality formations are divided into several varieties:

  • carcinoma or cancer. It is diagnosed in more than 80% of cases of such oncology. Education is formed more often in the intestine, lungs, mammary or prostate gland, esophagus. A similar tumor is formed from epithelial cells. Appearance varies according to location. In general, they are a node with a bumpy or smooth surface, hard or soft structure;
  • Sarcoma. Grows from muscle and bone cells connective tissue. It is quite rare (1% of all malignant oncologies) and can be located on the skin, uterus, bones, joints, lungs or soft tissues hips, etc. Such a tumor is characterized by rapid growth and metastasis. Often, even with early diagnosis and removal, it recurs again;
  • Lymphoma. Formed from lymphatic tissues. Such neoplasms lead to violations of organic functions, since the lymphatic system, designed to protect the body from infectious lesions, in the presence of a tumor, cannot perform its main tasks;
  • Glioma. It is formed in the brain, growing from glial nervous system cells. Usually accompanied by severe headache and dizziness. In general, the manifestations of such a tumor depend on its localization in the brain;
  • Melanoma. It grows from melanocytes and is localized mainly on the skin of the face and neck, extremities. It is rare (about 1% of all malignant tumors), characterized by a tendency to early metastasis;
  • Leukemia. It grows from stem cells in the bone marrow. Basically, leukemia is a cancer of the blood-forming cells;
  • Teratoma. Consists of embryonic cells, formed even in the prenatal period under the influence of pathogenic factors. Most often localized in the testicles, ovaries, brain and sacrum;
  • Choriocarcinoma. It develops from placental tissues. It is found only in women, mainly in the uterus, tubes, ovaries, etc.;
  • Malignant tumors that form in children under 5 years of age. These include various tumors such as osteosarcoma, retinoblastoma, lymphoma, nephroblastoma or neuroblastoma, neurological tumors or leukemia.

The reasons

The main predisposing factor to the formation of tumors of a malignant nature is heredity. If several cancer patients are found in the family, then all household members can be registered.

Equally important is the presence of nicotine addiction. Unfortunately, even a photo of cancerous lungs posted on a pack of cigarettes does not repel smokers from this addiction. Tobacco smoking most often leads to the development of lung or stomach cancer.

In general, experts distinguish only three groups of factors predisposing to the development of cancer:

  1. Biological - this group includes various viruses;
  2. Chemical - this includes carcinogens and toxic substances;
  3. Physical - represent a group of factors, including UV radiation, radiation exposure, etc.

All of the above factors are external character. Experts refer to genetic predisposition as internal factors.

In general, the mechanism of cancer development is quite simple. Our cells live certain time, after which they programmed die, and they are replaced by new ones. So the body is constantly updated. For example, red cells in the blood (or erythrocytes) live for about 125 days, and platelets - only 4 days. This is a physiological norm.

But in the presence of pato genetic factors various failures occur and obsolete cells, instead of death, begin to multiply on their own, producing abnormal offspring, from which tumor formations are formed.

How to determine a malignant neoplasm?

To determine the malignant tumor process, it is necessary to have an idea about its symptoms. So, malignant oncology is characterized by the following main features:

  • Pain. It can appear at the beginning of the tumor process or occurs with it. further development. Often disturbed by pain in the bone tissue, and there is a tendency to fracture;
  • Signs of weakness and chronic fatigue. Such symptoms occur gradually and are accompanied by a lack of appetite, hyper sweating, sudden weight loss, anemia;
  • Fever state. Similar sign often speaks of the systemic spread of the cancer process. Malignant oncology affects the immune system, which begins to fight hostile cells, which is why the state of fever appears;
  • If the tumor does not develop inside the body, but close to the surface, then a palpable swelling or induration can be detected;

In the photo you can see a seal on the skin, this is what a malignant tumor looks like - basalioma

  • Against the background of a malignant tumor, a tendency to bleeding may develop. With stomach cancer - this is bloody vomiting, with colon cancer - feces with blood, with uterine cancer - bloody vaginal discharge, with prostate cancer - semen with blood, with bladder cancer - bloody urine, etc.;
  • Against the background of a malignant tumor process, an increase in lymph nodes occurs, neurological symptoms appear, the patient often undergoes various inflammations, any rashes on the skin or yellowness, sores, etc.

The general symptomatology increases gradually, supplemented by new signs, the condition gradually worsens, which is associated with toxic damage to the body by the products of tumor vital activity.

Ways of metastasis

Malignant tumors tend to spread to other organs, i.e. to metastasize. Usually the stage of metastasis occurs already at late stages tumor process. In general, metastasis occurs in 3 ways: hematogenous, lymphogenous or mixed.

  • Hematogenous way - the spread of the cancer process through the bloodstream, when tumor cells enter the vascular system and transferred to other organs. Such metastasis is typical for sarcomas, chorionepitheliomas, hypernephromas, lymphomas and tumors of the hematopoietic tissue;
  • The lymphogenous pathway involves metastasis of tumor cells through the lymph flow through the lymph nodes and further into nearby tissues. This path of spread of metastases is typical for internal tumors such as cancer of the uterus, intestines, stomach, esophagus, etc.
  • The mixed path involves lymphogenous-hematogenous metastasis. Such a spread of the tumor process is characteristic of most malignant oncologies (cancer of the breast, lung, thyroid gland, ovaries or bronchi).

Stages of development

When diagnosing, not only the type of malignant formation is determined, but also the stage of its development. There are 4 stages in total:

  • Stage I is characterized by a small size of the tumor, the absence of germination of the tumor in neighboring tissues. The tumor process does not capture the lymph nodes;
  • Stage II of a malignant tumor process is characterized by a clear definition of the tumor within its initial localization, although there may be single metastases in the lymph nodes of regional significance;
  • Stage III is characterized by the germination of the tumor in the tissues lying around it. Metastasis in regional lymph nodes becomes multiple;
  • At stage IV, metastasis spreads not only to the lymph nodes, but also to distant organs.

Diagnostic methods

Diagnosis of oncology of a malignant nature consists in the following procedures:

  • X-ray examination, which includes:
  1. X-ray computed tomography;
  2. Endoscopic examination;
  3. Ultrasound diagnostics;
  4. Nuclear magnetic resonance;
  • Radioisotope diagnostics of tumors of malignant origin, which includes:
  1. thermography;
  2. radioimmunoscintigraphy;
  3. Detection of tumor markers;
  4. Study of the level of chorionic gonadotropin;
  5. The level of cancer-embryonic antigen, etc.

Treatment

Malignant formations are treated by three methods: medicinal, radiation and surgical.

Drug therapy consists of specialized preparations for chemotherapy:

  • Antimetabolites like Methotrexate, Ftorafura, etc.;
  • Alkylating agents - Benzotef, Cyclophosphamide, etc.;
  • Herbal medicines like Kolhamin, etc.;
  • Antitumor antibiotic drugs - Chrysomaline, Bruneomycin, etc.

2 Comments

It must be said in addition that the final diagnosis of "cancer" can only be made according to the results morphological studies- histology and immunohistochemistry. Any X-ray diagnostics only helps to make a diagnosis and determine the parameters of the neoplasm. Although, in the ideal case, radiation diagnosticians and pathologists work together (this option is now implemented in a private direction, at UNIM). And then, based on the results of morphology, a decision is made.

yes, as long as it delivers accurate diagnosis cancer will take time for a minimum of 15 days while starting treatment for another 15 days so we lose precious time.

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How to identify a benign or malignant brain tumor

How to identify a malignant tumor

A malignant tumor is a neoplasm whose cells divide uncontrollably and are prone to metastasis. In the initial stages, it is almost impossible to detect it by external signs. In order to identify the disease in the early stages, when it is most easily treatable, it is necessary to conduct a medical examination for prevention.

How to identify a malignant tumor?

Diagnosis of a malignant tumor

First of all, take a blood test for tumor markers. This type of diagnosis helps to determine the presence in the body malignant cells. In the event that the analysis confirmed the presence of oncomarkers in the blood, then an additional series of studies is assigned.

Get diagnosed with a malignant tumor using ultrasound, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, x-rays and mammography. The examination method directly depends on the organ that needs to be checked. For example, a malignant tumor of the breast can be detected using a mammogram, and malignant neoplasms larynxes are detected using microlaryngoscopy or fibrolaryngoscopy. In the first example, the organ is examined with an endoscope, in the second case - with a microscope. Malignant tumors of the fundus, body of the uterus and its cervix are diagnosed using an endoscope. A similar method is used to check the colon for malignant growths. When using all of these methods, a tissue sample is used to detect the tumor, which is sent for a biopsy. This procedure is final, it allows you to make a final diagnosis.

Determine the presence of malignant tumors using immunomagnetic enrichment technology. At present, this is the most modern method for diagnosing this type of disease. To do this, it is necessary to take a blood test, in which, in the process laboratory examination, the amount of Veridex CellSearch is determined. A large number of cells of this type indicates a 100% probability of a malignant tumor in the body.

later, advanced stages diseases are determined by palpation during self-examination or during a medical examination.

I would like to note that in the first place, everyone should not be concerned about the question: How to determine a malignant tumor? but how to prevent its occurrence. To do this, you need to maintain a normal state immune system. It is she who recognizes and immediately destroys all unnecessary and alien cells.

How to identify a brain tumor?

One of the most serious diseases today is a brain tumor. The outcome of the disease directly depends on the structure, type, location and size of the neoplasm. Only modern diagnostics can save a person's life.

Diagnosis of a brain tumor

Any tumor can be either benign or malignant. However, the absence of cancer cells does not always mean that nothing threatens a person's life. Benign neoplasms no less dangerous than malignant ones, as they can cause violations vital functions brain and compress tissues and blood vessels.

Headache - main feature brain tumors. If it intensifies in the morning and is accompanied by nausea or vomiting, you should be wary. These symptoms are present in the majority of patients with a confirmed diagnosis, although they do not always indicate the presence of a neoplasm. In order to exclude a brain tumor, it is necessary to undergo an examination.

Sooner or later, a brain tumor begins to cause a violation of vital important functions. And only the location of the tumor depends on what symptoms it manifests itself. Tumors of the frontal lobe lead to memory impairment, with a tumor in temporal lobe hallucinations may appear, parietal - convulsions, and with damage occipital lobe impaired coordination of movements.

In addition, the character may deteriorate, numbness occurs in the limbs, speech, vision and hearing are disturbed, and the ability to concentrate is reduced. When you or someone close to you appears similar symptoms you need to see a doctor urgently.

But do not forget that identifying symptoms is only the first stage of diagnosis. Further, under the supervision of a doctor will be carried out full examination. First of all, consult a neurologist who will give an objective assessment of your condition and give further recommendations.

Also make an appointment with an optometrist. When examining the fundus, it is often possible to identify abnormalities that indicate a neoplasm.

Another reliable way to determine a brain tumor is magnetic resonance or computer diagnostics. They allow you to make a final diagnosis and tell if there is a neoplasm. In order to obtain the maximum reliable result you may need to inject a contrast agent into the body. The diagnosis can be found out after half an hour of examination.

Other articles on this topic:

Prognosis for the life of patients with benign and malignant brain tumors

Brain tumors are a group of diseases that occur in 20 people out of the population. All tumors of the central nervous system divided into benign brain tumors and malignant. However, the course of the process, caused by both benign and malignant neoplasms, is severe.

The etiology of any tumors is unknown. There are only various assumptions why this disease can develop. In most cases, neoplasms occur spontaneously, without any connection with environmental factors or the state of the body. In some cases, a hereditary relationship can be traced, but there is no reliable confirmation of this fact.

Classification of types of brain tumors

  1. Tumors of the brain. Occurs in 90% of cases.
  2. Tumors spinal cord. The frequency of their diagnosis is 10%.

In relation to the brain:

  1. Intracerebral. They originate from the cells of the substance of the brain.
  2. Extracerebral. Can develop from meninges, bone structures of the skull, cranial nerves.

In relation to the spinal cord:

  1. Intramedullary - located in the substance of the spinal cord.
  2. Extramedullary - located outside the spinal cord in the spinal canal.

Benign brain tumors do not have a direct destructive effect on the substance of the brain and on the body as a whole. But the features of the physiology of both the brain and the spinal cord are such that they are located in a closed space formed, respectively, by the bones of the skull and spine. Therefore, even a benign tumor of the head causes compression of the brain, the death of its cells, the development of appropriate symptoms, up to death.

A malignant brain tumor, in addition to a squeezing effect, has toxic effect on the human brain and body. Destroys neurons, sprouting in them. Metastasizes to other organs and tissues, forming secondary foci.

Features of the clinical picture in different types of tumors

All symptoms are divided into three groups:

  1. Cerebral symptoms.
  2. local symptoms.
  3. Remote symptoms.

The first group includes signs caused by the development of intracranial hypertension due to an increase in tissue volume (this process is called "plus tissue"):

  1. specific headache- intensifies in the morning, has the character of aching, arching. Patients report a feeling of "heavy head".
  2. Nausea varying degrees expression, up to vomiting.
  3. AT severe cases there is depression of consciousness.

Symptoms of the second group - depend on the location of the tumor, are caused by compression or destruction of the substance of the brain. The third group includes signs caused by the dislocation of brain structures when the tumor reaches a large size. External manifestations will be observed not in the place of localization of the neoplasm, but in the place of displacement of the brain.

Clinical symptoms of a malignant brain tumor, depending on its location:

  1. Frontal lobe. The defeat of this department leads to personality disorders, behavior change, lack of adequate critical perception of one's condition. Can develop speech and movement disorders.
  2. The temporal share. When the process is localized in this area, “paroxysms of sensations” may develop. There are hallucinations of a different nature - taste, visual, auditory, emotional. With an extensive lesion, movement disorders, speech impairment are observed. hearing, memory, writing.
  3. Parietal lobe. Since this area is responsible for all types of sensitivity and the sensation of the position of the body in space, sensitivity disorders will be observed if it is damaged. There may be sudden attacks of pain, fever or chills, a feeling of "cotton limbs". Violated coordination and balance.
  4. Occipital lobe. There is a visual impairment according to the type of loss of visual fields, flickering flies, changes in color perception.
  5. The ventricles of the brain. With their defeat, intracranial hypertension quickly develops with the appearance of cerebral symptoms.
  6. Turkish saddle. Since the pituitary gland, which is responsible for the endocrine balance of the body, is located here, various hormonal disorders develop when this area is affected.
  7. Spinal cord. In this case, there is a symptomatology due to irritation of the nerve roots - a pain syndrome, depending on the localization of the pathological process.

Interesting! Signs of dysfunction of the roots - lack of sensitivity in the area innervated by the affected segment. A benign tumor of the spinal cord causes its compression and dysfunction of organs located below the site of compression.

Methods for diagnosing and treating tumors

Diagnosis is based on data comprehensive survey sick. Of no small importance are the anamnesis of the disease and the features of the clinical picture. Imaging techniques are used to clarify the location and extent of the lesion. Laboratory diagnostics does not have of great importance in diagnosis and is used only to detect secondary pathologies caused by the tumor.

  1. MRI with contrast. The most optimal method that gives the most informative result. Allows you to clarify the localization of the tumor, its relation to the functional areas of the brain, the degree of damage to the medulla.
  2. According to the indications, angiography, craniography, and a study of the electrical activity of the brain are used.

Removal of a benign tumor - surgical treatment is used to completely eliminate the manifestations of the disease. The only difficulty may be the location of the tumor in places where surgical intervention can lead to damage to the nerve or vessel.

Removal of a malignant tumor is technically more difficult, since it requires resection not only visually damaged tissue, but also apparently healthy tissue around the tumor. This technique is called ablastika, and is aimed at the maximum removal of tumor cells to prevent recurrence.

Forecast for life

The course of a malignant neoplasm is always more severe, and the chances of recovery are low. This is due to the double action of the tumor - local compression of the substance of the brain and the development of an intoxication syndrome that affects the entire body. A benign brain tumor - the prognosis in this case is more favorable. Surgery allows you to completely get rid of the disease.

Cyber ​​Clinic Spizhenko

Diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

Center Cyber ​​Knife, radiosurgery,

radiotherapy, CT

and MRI studies

Urology, reproductive health

Department of Radiology, Department of Neurosurgery

CSD Health care

How to distinguish a benign tumor from a malignant one

Cancer cells break all the rules cell division. A single atypical cell among millions of decent brothers can lead to the development of a cancerous tumor.

The sequence of processes occurring in the body that lead to cancer are complex and variable. A combination of genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors can turn a normal cell into a pathological one.

What is the mechanism of tumor formation?

Our body is a unique system that maintains a balance between new and old cells. Our body is made up of countless cells. They differ in structure and function. However, regardless of whether this cell is heart or blood, it matures from its earlier predecessors. All cells are programmed to die on time. Their death is carefully controlled by the whole organism. Cell death is called apoptosis.

division, maturation and apoptosis mandatory conditions cell life. The accumulation of tumor cells occurs for several reasons: due to uncontrolled division, due to the impossibility of cells to mature and turn into their highly professional descendants (they simply remain at the development stage), and the impossibility of dying in time.

Tumors are clones. Tumor cells originate from one and recreate copies of the original cell. Damage to genes leads to disruption of division, maturation, and programmed death. When the body's defense system fails, the damaged cell survives and forms many clones.

Cancer cells not only violate the rules of division, but also do not respond to all sorts of stop signals coming from our body. For example, breast cancer cells grow without estrogen, which is normal condition growth. Most cells can report that they are squeezed by other cells, but cancer cells ignore this signal and continue to multiply.

Tumors are such a diverse phenomenon that it is sometimes difficult to classify and divide them into groups. The causes of occurrence, the mechanism of growth, location and distribution determine the type of tumor. In this regard, tumors are divided into benign and malignant.

What is the difference between benign and malignant tumors?

To benign doctors include neoplasms that do not carry a big threat and have a favorable prognosis for life. Such tumors grow slowly, they lack the ability to relapse and metastasize, they do not grow into neighboring tissues and organs. Often, benign tumors stop growing and begin to develop in the opposite direction.

However, all this does not mean that such tumors are harmless. For example, a benign tumor of the endocrine gland can cause malfunctions hormonal balance, and in the small intestine with large sizes - to squeeze the intestinal loops, causing intestinal obstruction.

Malignant tumors, as the name implies, are extremely dangerous for the body. They are characterized by rapid growth, the ability to spread throughout the body, giving metastases, and also to grow into neighboring tissues and organs. A malignant tumor can completely remove the organs and vital systems of the human body from normal functioning.

A malignant tumor does not always have a clear difference from a benign one. In this regard, there are individual groups neoplasms: locally destructive and potentially malignant. The first have all the features of malignant, except for metastasis (basal cell skin cancer, desmoid fibroma). Potentially malignant tumors superficially resemble benign ones, but can metastasize (carcinoid, giant cell tumor of bone).

How to determine a cancerous tumor?

Unfortunately, none of us is immune from the appearance of a malignant tumor. But if you recognize cancer at an early stage, you can successfully recover from the disease. Next, we will talk about the symptoms of this disease - if you find any of them in yourself or your loved ones, you will need to check with good doctor. Diagnosis of cancer should be carried out by a professional doctor who will prescribe competent treatment.

Cancer Symptoms

There are the following common signs cancer: swelling, coughing, hoarseness and shortness of breath, bleeding, unexplained weight loss, negative changes in work digestive tract and moles. Let's consider each of them in a little more detail.

  1. Small swellings and lumps on the body are often harmless, but not always. If you notice an abnormal seal on any part of the body, it is better to see a doctor just in case. For example, breast cancer is diagnosed precisely by the formation of bumps and seals in the mammary gland. It is recommended that every woman periodically feel her breasts to check her condition. In case of detection of abnormal seals, it is imperative to contact a mammologist.
  2. If a person develops lung cancer, they will suffer from coughing, hoarseness, and shortness of breath. These same signs may indicate inflammation and infection, but in any case, you need to see a doctor. It is especially important to pay attention to these symptoms if shortness of breath and cough do not go away within two weeks. Also look for blood in the sputum.
  3. Hoarseness may indicate cancer of the larynx.
  4. Any bleeding for no apparent reason will indicate a malfunction. internal organs, including cancer.
  5. It is important to pay attention to changes in the functioning of the digestive tract, if they are not caused by excitement, changes in diet and diet, or medication. Can indicate the presence of cancer frequent appearances constipation or diarrhea for no apparent reason, pain in the abdomen and intestines. A feeling of incomplete bowel cleansing after a stool can also indicate the development of the disease.
  6. Weight loss without objective reasons can also indicate the development of the disease. If you have lost a significant amount of weight in the past few months without experiencing severe stress, dieting, or active physical training you should definitely see a doctor.
  7. Pay attention to your moles. Melanoma is considered one of the types of cancer - it can form on an existing mole or appear as a new large one. You need to contact a specialist if you have the following symptoms:
    • Asymmetrical moles with uneven edges (usually symmetrical and even);
    • Non-standard color (the usual mole is brown, melanoma may have an admixture of black, red, pink, bluish and white);
    • Large moles (melanomas larger than 7 mm);
    • If the mole is covered with a crust, itches and bleeds.

If strange spots appear on the skin that do not go away for a long time, be sure to consult a doctor. In no case should you remove moles on your own, as well as damage them - this can lead to the development of a tumor! If you have large raised moles, try not to touch them, and if this happened and blood began to flow, be sure to see a doctor. Any mole with careless handling can lead to the development of the disease. Especially large ones are recommended to be removed by a specialist - it is fast and safe.

If you have any of the above symptoms, do not hesitate to visit a specialist. The doctor will assess your state of health and, if necessary, send you for procedures and examinations, after which he will prescribe suitable treatment. If cancer is suspected, you will be sent for a tomography, a biopsy, and a specialized doctor will be advised.

People who are at risk

  1. Those who are subject to long and harmful effects. This includes contact with carcinogens, toxic dyes and radiation. Smokers are also at risk.
  2. Hereditary predisposition to cancer. In this sense, certain types of cancer can be distinguished, for example, cancer of the genital organs or intestines. If your blood relatives suffered from such diseases, then you are several times more likely to have the disease. If at least two or three relatives had cancer, you should consult a genetic oncologist.
  3. Those who are sick precancerous diseases or has chronic injury or inflammation. Precancerous diseases are those that can lead to cancer. These include mastopathy, intestinal polyposis, cirrhosis of the liver.

Those who are at risk need to be examined once or twice a year in a specialized clinic.

Often, a cancerous tumor does not show up in any way. specific symptoms. Therefore, most people are aware of terrible diagnosis only when it is already very difficult to cope with the disease, and sometimes even impossible. And there is also such a category of citizens who, with any ailment, think about the worst and try to detect signs of cancer in themselves. Perhaps excessive vigilance is also useless, but if you really notice something is wrong in your condition, you should undergo a medical examination. Better to be safe!

Cancer: signs and symptoms

Diseases of this kind manifest themselves in different ways. But there are common signs of women and men. In general, three groups of symptoms can be distinguished:

  • Unsuccessful treatment of diseases. When you spend enhanced therapy any pathologies, whether it is a stomach ulcer, inflammation of the bladder or pneumonia, and there is no improvement for a long time, you should be wary. Perhaps this indicates the presence of a cancerous lesion.
  • small manifestations. Reduced efficiency, constant feeling of discomfort, fatigue, decreased interest in the surrounding reality, unreasonable weight loss - all this can speak of oncology.
  • Tissue growth. If at visual inspection or palpation, you find that you have a deformation or asymmetry of some part of the body, you should be alert. Perhaps such a tumor is dangerous.

Now we will list the first symptoms of cancer, with the appearance of which it is necessary to consult a doctor.

  1. Sudden weight loss. Many people at an early stage of the development of the disease begin to lose weight rapidly. If you lose more than five kilograms in a short time, visit your doctor immediately.
  2. Increased temperature and fever. This symptom usually appears when the cancer has already spread widely. But it is he who can be the first call.
  3. Fatigue and weakness. These are perhaps the most important first signs of cancer, characteristic of absolutely any type of cancer. However, many simply ignore them.
  4. Pain in the bones. This symptom may indicate malignant neoplasms in the bone tissue.
  5. Change in the quality and color of the skin cover. Dermatological signs, such as darkening, redness, yellowness of the skin, itching, and others, may indicate the presence of skin cancer or oncology of internal organs.
  6. Changes in the size, color, thickness, shape of moles, as well as the occurrence of wounds or ulcers that are not amenable to therapy. Moles can transform into malignant tumors, so do not ignore such manifestations.
  7. Violations of the functioning of the bladder and disorders of the stool. You should consult a specialist if you suffer persistent constipation or, conversely, diarrhea. Changes such as pain during emptying, more frequent or rare urination should also alert.
  8. Constant headache. This symptom may indicate the presence of a brain tumor.
  9. Unusual discharge, bleeding. Blood impurities in feces, urine, vaginal bleeding in women - all this can be a manifestation of cancer.
  10. Persistent cough, sore throat, hoarseness, and trouble swallowing and indigestion. If, when you cough up sputum, you find blood clots, you need to urgently visit a doctor, because you may have oncology lung tissue. Swallowing problems and digestive disorders are often not signs of cancer, but if they occur together, you can suspect a cancer of the pharynx, esophagus, or gastrointestinal tract.

Symptoms of different types of cancer

Of course, in addition to general manifestations, there are specific signs of oncological diseases that are characteristic only for one or another variety. And still, even if you find any characteristic symptom, you should not immediately think that you have cancer. First visit a specialist, and then draw conclusions.

Stomach cancer

In the early stages of the disease, the signs are inaccurate and scarce. Often, not only patients, but the doctors themselves write off the symptoms that have appeared on gastritis. In this case, everything is limited to the appointment of medications, and a complete examination is not carried out. And yet, specialists who listen attentively to the complaints of patients sometimes catch the first signs of an oncological disease. These include:


The described first signs of oncology can manifest themselves both against the background of a previous stomach disease (for example, an ulcer), and against the background of absolute health. Only when a malignant tumor becomes widespread do they appear vivid symptoms: persistent vomiting, intense pain radiating to the back, severe sharp weakness, sallow skin color.

breast cancer

The first signs of oncology in women in this case are retraction and flattening of the nipple and bloody discharge from it. Pain does not appear diagnostic symptom. With pain, it may be completely absent, but with mastopathy, on the contrary, it may have a pronounced character. Depending on what form the cancer has, the signs and symptoms will vary. So, with a mastitis-like form of the disease, the mammary gland greatly increases, swells and hurts. The skin becomes hot to the touch. The erysipelatous form is characterized sudden appearance redness on the skin of the chest, as well as a significant increase in temperature. Shell oncology is manifested by a bumpy thickening of the skin. A kind of shell is formed, covering part chest and sometimes the whole of it.

Rectal cancer

As already mentioned, usually the signs of oncological diseases in the early stages are not particularly pronounced. Colon cancer is no exception. Symptoms that can be noticed: dull pain during bowel movements at the time of the passage of stool, mucus and blood in the stool, subsequently a ribbon-like stool. Such manifestations are often mistaken for signs of hemorrhoids. However, there is a difference: with hemorrhoids, blood in the feces usually appears at the beginning of a bowel movement, and with rectal cancer, at the end. At a later stage, constipation is added to the listed symptoms, followed by diarrhea, frequent urge to defecate, and discharge of fetid purulent-bloody masses.

Skin cancer

This type of oncology can also have different forms: ulcerative, nodular, infiltrative. However, often the first signs of skin cancer, regardless of form, are the same. Dense painless nodules of a waxy pinkish-yellowish color appear on the body. Gradually they grow. Very rarely there are forms with sluggish growth, which for many years do not show visible changes. But there are also such cases.

Lung cancer

Depending on where the primary tumor originates, lung tissue or bronchus, the first signs of oncology will vary. When central cancer(cancer of the bronchus) first develops a hacking dry cough, later sputum appears, often it has blood impurities. For this form of the disease, the causeless occurrence of pneumonitis is very characteristic ( lung inflammation), accompanied by an increase in temperature, increased cough, general weakness, in some cases chest pains. Peripheral cancer, which originates in the lung tissue, is almost asymptomatic at the initial stage and is often detected during a preventive x-ray examination.

A brain tumor

Signs of oncological diseases of the brain are numerous, and they cannot be called specific. It is noteworthy that many neoplasms do not manifest themselves at all and are most often found only after death, at autopsy. This applies, for example, to a pituitary tumor. It should also be borne in mind that not all formations are malignant - benign tumors often appear in the same way as cancerous ones. The only way to check the nature of the symptoms present is to undergo an examination.

Symptoms in these types of oncology are associated with the pressure of the tumor on the brain and, in connection with this, a violation of its work. The signs are similar in both the primary and metastatic (when the neoplasm penetrates into other parts of the brain) stages and are characterized by weakness, headache, absent-mindedness, the appearance of convulsions and spasms, and difficulty in motor processes. Nausea and vomiting are also possible (especially in the morning), blurred vision, weakening intellectual activity associated with impaired memory and concentration, a gradual decrease in mental activity, changes emotional state, difficulty of speech processes. These symptoms, as a rule, do not appear immediately, so for a long time the disease may go unnoticed.

Finally

We have listed the signs of the main oncological diseases, but, of course, we have not touched on all types of cancer. There are a lot of them, and the symptoms in each case will be different. For example, the main manifestations of uterine cancer are bleeding and discharge in the form of whites from the vagina. The main symptom is pain when swallowing food, and the most common bladder symptom is blood in the urine. Do not be negligent about your health and immediately consult a doctor at the slightest suspicion of a terrible disease!

And urine, even if you have no complaints about your health. Of course, they will not unequivocally indicate the presence of a tumor, but certain deviations can alert the doctor, as a result of which he will prescribe an in-depth examination. At feeling unwell maybe even more than once a year. Sometimes this simple precaution allows the tumor to be removed in time and removed before it metastasizes.

There are special tumor markers that can detect a tumor in the blood. But this method is not used for primary diagnosis, since there are a great many types of cancer, and, accordingly, oncomarkers. It's just not possible to explore everything. Therefore, this analysis is prescribed only if a particular type of cancer is suspected.

Pass annually ultrasound procedure abdominal organs. It allows you to identify a tumor that has a minimum size and does not yet bother. In some cases, the doctor may detect enlarged lymph nodes, which in large numbers may indirectly indicate oncopathology.

Women of any age should see a gynecologist twice a year. A specialist can diagnose the onset of cancer or detect adverse factors that may lead to it. It is also useful to have an ultrasound examination of the pelvic organs once a year.

Contact your surgeon or oncologist immediately if you find swelling in one place or another. Especially, formations that appeared for no apparent reason (trauma, inflammation, infection) should be alerted. Also, the reason for a visit to the doctor is that suddenly began to grow or change color. This seemingly harmless symptom may indicate skin cancer - melanoma.

It is most difficult to diagnose a tumor located in. Often it does not cause concern until it grows to an impressive size. Preventive examination of the brain in most cases is not carried out. Therefore, you should carefully listen to your feelings. If you suffer from persistent headaches, problems with coordination, nausea and vomiting that occurs on an empty stomach in the morning, contact a neurologist immediately and get a referral for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

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note

Today, at the disposal of medicine, there are special tumor markers, thanks to which it is possible to detect cancer by a blood test even before it clinical manifestation. Tumor markers are proteins produced by cells various tumors. And after diagnosing it on biochemical level, it is possible to determine the nature of the cancerous tumor. Other articles on the topic "Blood Cancer"

Useful advice

Cancer researchers at Soroka Hospital in Be'er Sheva and Be'er Sheva University have discovered a simple test that can identify a tumor in the body from a blood test. The first experiments showed that the cancer test was ninety percent effective. Detecting cancer before it spreads in the body is the best direction in the fight against oncological diseases because the sooner cancer is detected, the more likely it is to be cured.

Cancer is a malignant neoplasm that is constantly growing and as a result can metastasize first to the nearest tissues, organs and lymph nodes, and then through the blood to any place in the body.

Before considering all the symptoms of cancer, it is necessary to clarify one small detail for readers. You must understand that even the totality of any signs may not necessarily indicate a malignant cancer. Often this common diseases, infection, inflammation, which can manifest itself in the same way.

Cancer of organs only in the initial stages is associated with specific fabric, later after development in phase 4, the tumor begins to spread metastases that can cover any organs.

To find out exactly if you have an oncological disease, you must pass, for biochemistry and. And after confirmation, connect additional diagnostic methods: MRI, CT, ultrasound, etc. Consider all the common symptoms of cancer and how to recognize oncology?

Headache

If you have a constant headache for no apparent reason in one place, then this may also indicate brain cancer. At the same time, donating blood for tumor markers is not worth it, since the tumor does not have a specific antigen and it is better to immediately go for an MRI.

tumor markers

  • Bun S100

Birthmarks of an unusual and strange shape

Usually strange moles that are irregularly shaped and also strange dark spots indicate melanoma or skin cancer. You can go first of all to donate blood for the oncomarker S-100.

Elevated temperature

If you have persistent chills, fever without additional reasons- snot and other signs indicating a cold. It is impossible to say what kind of cancer this symptom indicates. Therefore, first of all, you need to pass a general and biochemical blood test. The temperature in cancer lasts quite a long time.

Lumps in the chest

Usually indicates breast cancer in women. On palpation, it is necessary to note exactly the solid clots inside the mammary gland. Collectively, any mucous fluids with bad smell. In this case, you should immediately go to a mammologist, who, after examination, will send you to an oncologist for examinations.

tumor markers

  • SA 15-3

Deteriorated condition of nails and hair

When the tumor is actively developing, a large amount of antibodies and waste products are produced in the blood, and it is possible severe inflammation. In addition, the neoplasm itself consumes a large amount of energy and nutrients for growth. Therefore, nails and hair may not be enough. In this case, the hair may fall out, their color becomes dull, and the nails become brittle and constantly peel off.

Bleeding from the vagina

Usually indicates cancer of the body of the uterus, ovaries. In addition, the lower abdomen may hurt. In the intermenstrual period, there may be heavy bleeding, and it also happens that blood is present in the urine.

tumor markers

  • SA 125

NOTE! To quickly diagnose uterine cancer, you just need to visit a gynecologist once a year, who can recognize the disease in time. At the same time, a neoplasm is very clearly visible on the cervix.

Frequent fainting

If fainting occurs for no known reason. That could indicate brain cancer. In this case, a clinical and biochemical blood test is given, and then the doctor is already looking at the test results.

Bumps on the bones

if you have solid seals on the legs, arms, thigh, or shoulder, this may indicate bone cancer. But you must understand that they could arise from bruises or fractures. You should immediately consult a doctor and take an X-ray of the bones.

tumor markers

  • TRAP 5b

Distractedness and memory impairment

Indicates that a cancerous tumor has begun to grow seriously in the head. This is due to the fact that the tumor uses a lot of resources for its growth.

Decreased appetite

This is accompanied by significant weight loss. It can indicate both cancer of the gastrointestinal tract, and on. At later stages, it can refer to almost any oncology.

Profuse sweating

If everything was fine with you before, and then you abruptly began to constantly sweat, even in a cool room, then this may indicate a violation of the nervous system. Usually refers to a series malignant formations in the neuroendocrine region.

Heat

If you feel hot flashes in your face and throughout your body at different intervals, then this may indicate cancer of the endocrine system.

Mood change

It can indicate both brain cancer and some tumors that affect the hormonal background of a woman.

vision loss

Indicates malignant neoplasms optic nerve. But it may be due to severe stress, physical shock or external factors. Also, vision falls due to genetics. Against the background, general well-being worsens.

Abdominal pain

May indicate cancer of the stomach, pancreas, or intestines. At the same time, the type of pain is similar to gastritis or an ulcer. In this case, it is imperative to undergo an examination of fibrogastroduodenoscopy (FGDS) and fluoroscopy of the stomach. The disadvantage of this group of oncology is that the first signs of cancer appear only at stage 3.

weight loss weight loss

It should be noted here that the decline is rapid and despite the fact that a person does not lose weight, does not diet and does not play sports. It usually indicates cancer in the colon, small intestine, or rectum. In addition, there may be a difficult act of defecation, a constant feeling that the intestines are full.

Skin color changes

Yellow color usually indicates pathologies in the liver and pancreas. In this case, when the color changes, the color of the sclera of the tongue may change and skin itching may appear. I would also like to add that this can also occur at the last stage of almost any cancer, when metastases reach the liver.

Labored breathing

Dry cough, later sputum appears. At the very beginning, a cough may be without any symptoms at all. After that, shortness of breath, shortness of breath, shortness of breath may appear. Indicates, but cough may also be present in stomach cancer, but in more rare cases.

Difficult to swallow

May indicate cancer of the pharynx, throat. In this case, the tumor can grow to such a size that a person then simply cannot swallow, as well as breathe.

Heartburn

When gastric juice in connection with the tumor enters the esophagus. In this case, a person constantly feels severe heartburn. It can indicate both stomach cancer and duodenal cancer.

Enlarged lymph nodes

By itself, edema mainly appears on the face. This is due to the fact that they react to the tumor The lymph nodes. It can indicate cancer of anything, which is why it is better to immediately consult a doctor and take blood tests.

Swelling of the upper body

squeezing lymphatic vessels and the circulatory system near the lungs due to the growing tumor leads to the fact that puffiness appears on the face and in the upper body. Occurs against the background of frequent smoking.

Fatigue

The tumor has waste products that are intensively produced in the blood, plus with the growth of cancer, the tumor can prevent normal functioning organ due to which stagnation of substances occurs. There is intoxication, pain in the head, malaise, constant weakness in oncology.

Blood in stool


Indicates bowel cancer. It may also be accompanied by a difficult act of defecation due to the fact that the cancerous tumor has already grown strongly. The stool becomes dark in color due to blood. It is necessary to urgently consult a doctor, because later, due to the tumor, the patient will not be able to go to the toilet at all. Blood appears as a result of damage to the vessels by the tumor as a result of violent growth.

Constipation, diarrhea

A general disorder of the digestive process may indicate several oncological zones: from stomach cancer to the intestines.

Difficulty urinating

It is not always accompanied by pain, usually it can already begin at stages 1, 2 of prostate cancer. This is due to the fact that the prostate gland swells and narrows the urethra. Then the man needs to make every effort and tighten the press in order to go "in a small way."

In the last stages of cancer, the act of urination may not be possible at all, and doctors put a catheter. A cancerous tumor overwhelms the nerves responsible for male libido, and the man begins to have sexual problems.

Blood in the urine

May be associated with carcinoma in men prostate, and in a woman's body, cancer develops in the uterus. At the same time, these diseases at stage 3 begin to affect the nearest organs, kidneys, liver and bladder from which there may also be blood.

Swelling of the scrotum and penis

Testicular or penile cancer. But in the last stage of a prostate tumor, these symptoms may also appear. Plus there is swelling of the lower extremities.

Back pain

This does not always indicate osteochondrosis or inflammation in the spine. Sometimes it can be cancer of the vertebrae.

Discharge from the nipples

Accompanied by pain in the chest. Indicates defeat. cancer cells breast with metastases. In addition, it is best to check the breast itself for lumps and if there are any, then immediately consult a doctor. The discharge itself smells bad.

What can cause cancer?

The exact causes of cancer development have not yet been established, but there are several factors and assumptions.

  1. Improper nutrition
  2. Ecology
  3. Work related to pesticides and chemistry.
  4. Smoking
  5. Alcohol
  6. Genetics
  7. Unprotected sex and sexually transmitted diseases.
  8. Stress

How to detect cancer at an early stage?

Not all of the above symptoms of oncology indicate that you have a malignant tumor. But if there are at least 10 signs of cancer, then you should worry. But you must understand that only internal symptoms it is impossible to identify the disease and it is worth resorting to other studies.

How to fully detect cancer?

  1. Take a blood test with a leukocyte formula
  2. Donate blood for biochemistry
  3. Tests for tumor markers.
  4. Biopsy of suspicious tissue.

Signs of cancer in women

Oncological diseases in women appear a little brighter in the initial stages than in men. During pregnancy, this can lead to miscarriage.

The fact of the presence of a tumor is often the only sign of cancer for a long time, although hidden, like the underwater part of an iceberg. Due to the peculiarities of the growth kinetics, up to a certain period, not only in the preclinical, but often in the clinical phase, cancer does not manifest itself in any way.

Patients really have a number of tumors (breast, skin, mucous membrane of the lip, oral cavity, lymphogranulomatosis) to the question "What worries you?" they answer: “Nothing bothers me, only there is some kind of induration (ulcer)”, that is, they only indicate the fact of a painless formation.

At lung cancer, especially the peripheral form, the fact of the presence of shadowing on fluorography before the involvement of the pleura or other structures is the only sign of a tumor. The same can be said about malignant tumors of the mediastinum, ovaries and some other organs. Quite often, the presence of a tumor can be confirmed by computed tomography of the spine.

Therefore, even with such a paucity of symptoms, the presence of a tumor cannot be discounted. Moreover, the presence of a painless or mildly painful tumor-like formation is not only pathognomonic, but also the most reliable sign developing malignant tumor. Moreover, even with pronounced clinical manifestations of cancer, without the very fact of detecting a formation, there will always be a doubt about its presence. That is why raising the fact of the presence of a tumor to the rank of reference symptom No. 1 is of fundamental importance.

Presence of a mucosal tumor

The signs that cause suspicion of malignancy include: the appearance of "granular" areas of focal elevations, erosion against the background of leukoplakia, erythroplakia, polyposis growths, atrophic-hypertrophic and inflammatory conditions of the mucosa, slight bleeding on contact, lack of a tendency to heal. However, the decisive criterion for establishing early forms cancer are the results of targeted biopsy.

Small forms of cancer on the surface of the mucous membranes and skin are characterized mainly by two types of growth.

Type 1 - plaque-like cancer. The tumor slightly bulges into the lumen of a hollow organ, with a spherical or uneven surface, in the form of a platform or with a depression in the center, with the appearance of additional growths, pinkish-gray in color, and on the skin often with a pearlescent sheen along the edges and a denser consistency than the surrounding tissues . Less often, the focus of tumor growth is located in the dermis or in the submucosal layer and is characterized by some elevation, thickening of the walls, smoothing of the folds and density.

Type 2 - ulcerative, with undermined depressions and jagged edges. Resembles a peptic ulcer or fissure; the form of growth in its pure form occurs only in the first stages of clinical manifestation. It is characterized by a heterogeneous consistency, fragility and bleeding on contact.

The presence of a tumor in the internal organs

In parenchymal and non-hollow organs, the presence of tumors of small forms (up to 2 cm), depending on the localization, can be established using modern X-ray, computer and ultrasound equipment and even by palpation (mammary gland). The formation of a rounded regular or irregular shape with fuzzy boundaries, dense consistency. On radiographs, characteristic radiant contours called "corona maligna" are determined.

Expressed clinical forms tumors of hollow organs are divided into three types: exophytic (into the lumen of a hollow organ), endophytic (ulcerative) and mixed (saucer-shaped) forms. The latter is an exophytic form with a pronounced decay in the center and ridge-like undermined edges. The fourth type of tumors with an infiltrative form of growth should be singled out as the most difficult to diagnose. The presence of tumors with such forms of growth with a certain regularity is due to the histotype of cancer (such as scirrhos with a predominance of stroma), characterized by predominant growth in the submucosal layer, stenosis and/or atrophy of surrounding tissues. At and x-ray studies the presence of a tumor is indicated by the following characteristics: smoothed or “frozen”, rigid folds, lack of peristalsis, narrowing of a hollow organ, thickening of the walls, loss of mobility, pronounced density. During endoscopic examination, the affected mucosa has a "variegated" appearance (alternation of whitish-gray areas with hyperemic ones).

Forms of tumor growth parenchymal organs, bones and soft tissues and the signs that characterize them are even more diverse. The accepted classifications take into account the localization of the tumor and clinical and anatomical features. The greatest difficulties in establishing the presence of a tumor are infiltrative or diffuse forms growth, manifested only by a change in the size and shape of the organ. Typically, these tumors are isolated as special variants. For example: in the lungs - peribronchial form, in the mammary gland - armored or edematous-infiltrative, in the liver - diffuse or cirrhosis-cancer; when an infection is attached - pneumo-like

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