Cancer symptoms

The cancer usually increases quietly, without any specific signs or symptoms.

Nobody knows your body better than you. If you have a specific pain that lasts for a long time, if you palpate a symptomatic lump on your body or experience unusual symptoms, you should see a doctor. Keep in mind that many cancer symptoms are the same  as in other diseases. Early detection of cancer can save your life.

There are more than 100 different types of cancer with different symptoms. Therefore it is impossible to determine a specific group of symptoms that is characteristic of this type of disease. Consequently, cancer is a disease that has no specific symptoms.

At the early stage, while the tumor is small in size, the  disease doesn't  shows any signs or symptoms. If the cancer is located in specific areas, such as the brain, some symptoms may occur even if the tumor is small in size.

At the early stage, while the tumor is small in size, the disease doesn't shows any signs or symptoms. If the cancer is located in specific areas, such as the brain, some symptoms may occur even if the tumor is small in size.
As the cancer grows, it starts pressurising the surrounding organs, blood vessels and nerves. This pressure can lead to the appearance of the first symptoms. Hence, symptoms may occur depending on the cancer location, its size and and on the degree of influence on the organs and tissues. In case of metastatic disease (cancer), the symptoms can occur in different parts of the body.

However, cancer size usually increases quietly, without any specific signs or symptoms. Pancreatic cancer, for example, shows no symptoms until it reaches a certain size and starts to pressure the surrounding nerves or organs. For example, if it grows around the bile duct, symptoms will appear when it begins to obstruct the bile flow, after which the patient exhibits yellowish skin and eyes. 

Nontheless, cancer does generally show symptoms when in an advanced stage, while already occupying the surrounding tissues. Sometimes, symptoms like fever, fatigue and weight loss may be signs of cancer, all of which a consequence of the cancer using up more energy from the body or affecting the body in creating its energy. In addition,  cancer may influence the immune system, which in return starts reacting with the above symptoms and signs.