Early signs and symptoms are the first indicators of potential cancer, prompting crucial diagnostic tests for confirmation. Recognising these signs early on allows for timely and effective medical intervention.
Cancer is one of the leading health risks worldwide, where the body experiences uncontrolled growth and distribution of abnormal cells, causing organ failure and sometimes even death. It has more than 100 types that can develop in different body parts, and thus, there is a need to identify its early signs and symptoms to increase the chances of timely diagnosis. These symptoms may be mild or even uncommon to be associated with cancer. Hence, it is important to know these uncommon signs to get prompt medical help and increase the likelihood of a successful treatment.
Five Uncommon Signs of Cancer
Here are the five uncommon signs of cancer that should not be ignored:
Persistent Cough or Hoarseness
If one has a cough that lasts for more than two or three weeks or has a hoarse voice, which does not disappear even after taking cough syrups or antibiotics, then it is likely that one has lung or throat cancer. Throat cancer may alter the pitch of the voice or the sound it produces, while lung cancer may lead to a cough, which may be dry or may contain blood. If you have these symptoms, especially if you are a smoker or have been exposed to second-hand smoke, it is advisable to get a medical check-up.
Unexplained Weight Loss
Weight loss of 5 kgs or more without alteration in diet or exercise regime can be the early manifestation of various types of cancer, such as stomach cancer, pancreatic cancer, oesophagus cancer or lung cancer. The cancer cells use a lot of energy, and as a result, the patient loses weight. Also, the immune system’s response to cancer affects metabolism, which also causes weight loss in individuals.
Chronic Fatigue
Fatigue that is persistent, severe, and not relieved by rest can be a symptom of cancers such as leukaemia or lymphoma. Unlike typical tiredness, cancer-related fatigue is profound and affects daily functioning. This fatigue can result from cancer-consuming the body’s energy, anaemia caused by cancer, or the body’s response to the disease.
Frequent Infections
Recurrent infections are common in patients with a weakened immune system, and this is evident in blood cancers such as leukaemia. Leukaemia is a type of cancer that interferes with the production of normal white blood cells, which are necessary to help fight off infections.
Changes in Skin
New growths on the skin, open sores that do not heal, changes in a mole or a new mole, or changes in the colour or texture of the skin are early warning signs of skin cancer or internal cancers. Other skin alterations might be the yellowing of the skin and the eyes due to jaundice, which is often a sign of liver cancer, or darkened skin patches, which may be due to endocrine disorders.
Confirming Signs of Cancer
It is advised to consult the best oncologists in Delhi like Dr Ajay Gupta when uncommon signs that can be because of cancer are observed. An oncologist, a doctor who focuses on cancer diagnosis and treatment, will then order additional tests to check if the patient has cancer. They are trained to understand the various aspects of different cancer types and the best approach to treat them.
When to Consult an Oncologist
If you have any symptoms that you feel are uncommon or you are unable to understand their cause, you should see the best oncologists in Delhi. Consultation at an early stage is very important because it may result in early detection, and this is essential for successful treatment.
Diagnosis and Tests
Cancer is diagnosed through several tests, which include:
- Imaging Tests: MRIs, CT scans, X-rays, and PET scans to diagnose the existence of tumors and the spread of cancer.
- Endoscopy: A technique in which a long, narrow instrument with a light and a lens is passed into the body to examine internal organs and collect samples of tissue.
- Biopsy: A tiny piece of tissue is collected from the area believed to contain the cancer and checked for the presence of cancer cells.
- Blood Tests: Done to check for cancer markers and to know the functionality of the concerned organ.
Treatment for Cancer
Cancer treatment is based on the type, location and stage of cancer and the general health of the individual. Common treatments include:
- Surgery: It is used to treat the disease and remove the tumour.
- Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy and other related treatments to eliminate cancerous cells.
- Radiation Therapy: Employing radiation beams that are powerful enough to eliminate cancerous cells selectively.
- Immunotherapy: Enhancing the body’s immune defence to combat cancer.
- Targeted Therapy: Drugs that selectively target molecules that promote the formation of cancer cells.
So, it is important to understand the uncommon signs of cancer because early diagnosis can lead to effective treatment. Preventive measures like awareness and monitoring health are also important as they may help prevent cancer from growing, and if they do, the condition is often detected in its early stage and better managed. It is advised to seek the opinion of an oncologist and get tested as soon as one starts experiencing cancer symptoms.
Consult Dr Ajay Gupta, one of the best oncologists in Delhi, at Apollo for expert care and guidance.
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