Cancer symptoms may depend upon the person and the type of cancer he or she has. However, symptoms of all cancers may include fever, fatigue, or weight loss. This may be due to the cancer using up much of the body energy to replicate itself and grow abnormal cells.
Cancer treatments such as radiation therapy, surgery, or chemotherapy can rob the body of energy and cause fatigue.
Other effects of cancer include nausea and vomiting, stress, depression and anxiety, changes in activity or rest patterns, loss of weight, and appetite and sleep disturbances.
Specific symptoms for various cancers are described below. Be sure to check with your doctor about various types of cancer and specific symptoms.
Please speak with your health care professional if you suspect any of these symptoms.
- Blood in the urine
- Pain during urination
- Frequent urination
- A change in how the breast or nipple feels
- A lump or thickening in or near the breast or in the underarm area
- Nipple tenderness
- A change in how the breast or nipple looks
- A change in the size or shape of the breast
- Change in the skin of the nipple or areola
- Nipple discharge
- A change in bowel habits
- Diarrhea, constipation, or feeling that the bowel is not completely empty
- Blood (either bright red or very dark) in the stool
- Stools that are narrower than usual
- General abdominal discomfort (frequent gas pains, bloating, fullness, and/or cramps)
- Weight loss with no known reason
- Constant tiredness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Blood in the urine
- Pain in the side that does not go away
- A lump or mass in the side or the abdomen
- Weight loss
- Fever
- Fatigue
- General sickness
- A cough that doesn\'t go away and gets worse over time
- Constant chest pain
- Coughing up blood
- Shortness of breath, wheezing, or hoarseness
- Repeated problems with pneumonia or bronchitis
- Swelling of the neck and face
- Loss of appetite or weight loss
- Fatigue
- “Ugly-looking” moles
- Change in the size, shape, color, or feel of an existing mole
- Swollen, painlful lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, or groin
- Unexplained weight loss
- Fever
- Soaking night sweats
- Coughing, trouble breathing, or chest pain
- Persistant weakness and tiredness
- Pain, swelling, or a feeling of fullness in the abdomen
- Pain in the upper abdomen or upper back
- Yellow skin and eyes, and dark urine from jaundice
- Weakness
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea and vomiting
- Weight loss
- Inability to urinate, or difficulty starting or stopping the urine flow
- Frequent urination
- Weak or interrupted flow of urine
- Pain or burning during urination
- Difficulty having an erection
- Blood in the urine or semen
- Frequent pain in the lower back, hips, or upper thighs
Resources:
J&J Health Channel
- New skin growths or a sore that does not heal
- Changes in size, shape, or color of moles
- Small, smooth, shiny, pale, or waxy lump on the skin
Please speak with your health care professional if you suspect any of these symptoms.
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