What are the causes and symptoms of cancer? Having a clue about a cancer may lead to early diagnosis. The best treatment is to catch a cancer when it is small and has not spread. Some of these symptoms may be caused by common illnesses. Listed below are some of them. If you experience any of them, seek medical attention immediately. Listed below are the causes and symptoms of cancer. For more information, visit the ACS website.
Blood cancer
The causes and symptoms of blood cancer vary for both men and women, but they are often similar. Some women will experience sex-specific symptoms. For example, menstrual periods may become irregular or heavier than usual. If these changes occur on a regular basis, you may have blood cancer. In either case, you should see a doctor to get tested. If you have experienced any of these symptoms, book an appointment with your GP.
Treatments for blood cancer range from active surveillance with no cancer-directed treatment to targeted drugs, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy. Blood cancers are treated by Yale Medicine's experienced oncologists and clinicians who review challenging cases at tumor boards. For more information about blood cancer and its symptoms, download our booklet. It will explain key facts about the disease and how it's diagnosed. And, if you or a loved one has been diagnosed, you can get help by seeking professional advice and talking to a therapist. Finding a support group is also beneficial.
Among the causes and symptoms of blood cancer, lymph node biopsy is a good way to find out if the condition has spread. A lymph node biopsy requires a small incision and stitches. The results of this test will reveal if your cancer has spread to any other areas. If your doctor believes this may be the case, they will perform a stem cell transplantation, which involves re-infusing healthy blood-forming stem cells into your body. These stem cells may be derived from bone marrow, circulating blood, or umbilical cord blood.
Ovarian cancer
One of the early signs of ovarian cancer is a feeling of pain in the pelvic area that resembles menstrual cramps. This is very common during menstruation, but may be missed if it's not accompanied by any other symptoms. Depending on the extent of the cancer, pelvic pain may be on only one side of the pelvis or it may be diffuse and hard to pinpoint.
The cause of ovarian cancer is unknown, but genetic factors are known to increase your risk. These factors include your family's history and the genes you inherit from your mother. Your parents and grandparents passed down their genetic makeup, which can have an effect on yours. It can also be caused by changes in your genes over time, which are called mutations. Two of the most common gene mutations that cause ovarian cancer are BRCA1 and BRCA2.
Ovarian cancer develops when cells in your body begin to grow abnormally. These cells can develop in any part of your body, including the ovaries. Normally, all cells undergo a natural process known as "programmed cell death" when they reach an unfavorable stage. When cells become abnormal and multiply beyond control, they turn into cancer. This growth of cells often leads to invasion of surrounding tissues or breaking away from the initial tumor. There are two main types of ovarian cancer: epithelial ovarian cancer and stromal ovarian cancer. The epithelial type is more common, and includes mucinous and serous carcinomas. Stromal tumors are rare, but usually develop at an earlier stage.
Breast cancer
The most important way to diagnose breast cancer is to be aware of the early signs and symptoms. Symptoms vary for different women, and sometimes they do not occur at all. Some women have a new lump, thickened breast skin, pulling in of the nipple, or blood. Others may only experience pain in one or two areas of the breast. Although these symptoms may indicate breast cancer, they are often common to other conditions.
Inflammatory breast cancer occurs when cancer cells block the lymph vessels in the skin. The disease can begin in either the lobules or ducts that supply milk to the breast. The cancer can spread to nearby lymph nodes and distant organs, including the bones. When the cancer has spread, treatment is more difficult than for other types of cancer. When the disease has spread to the lymph nodes or other areas of the body, it is called stage 4 cancer.
The risk of developing breast cancer is higher in women with a family history of the disease. Some women carry abnormal genes that increase their risk. Genetic testing can reveal if someone has these genes. Other lifestyle factors may also increase the risk of developing breast cancer. Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption are known risk factors. Obesity is also linked to certain types of cancer. For high-risk women, hormone treatments and pre-emptive mastectomy are options.
