Everything to Know About Cancer

Cancer is one of the biggest scourges of mankind, accounting for nearly 1 in 6 deaths globally. In India alone, about 2.5 million people are affected by cancer, and over 7 lakh new cases get registered every year.

Cancers affecting the oral cavity and lung cancer in males and breast cancer in case of females constitute the majority of the cancer incidences in the country.

How do you know you have cancer?

The symptoms of cancer may or may not show depending on the type of cancer and the location of metastases.

Some common signs and symptoms are:

1. Pain and fractures

2. Headache

3. Seizures

4. Dizziness

5. Jaundice or inflammation in the abdominal area

6. Shortness of breath

7. Confusion

8. Difficulty in movement

9. Vision problems

Which are the most common types of cancer and their Symptoms?

1. Stomach Cancer

Stomach cancer begins in the stomach. It develops in the inner lining of the stomach. The cell may grow into a tumour. It is also termed as gastric cancer. Infections are caused due to the spread of bacteria, called H. pylori which may increase the risk of this condition. This leads to the formation of ulcers.

Symptoms of Stomach Cancer:

1. Improper digestion

2. Heartburn

3. Slight nausea

4. loss of appetite

5. Feeling bloated after eating a meal

2. Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer develops in the tissues of the pancreas that lies at lower part of the stomach. In most cases pancreatic cancer is not clear and is difficult to understand. There is an increased risk of developing pancreatic cancer for people who smoke.

Symptoms of Pancreatic Cancer:

1. Pain in the upper abdomen

2. Yellow skin and white eyes (Jaundice)

3. Loss of appetite

4. Weight loss

5. Clotting of blood

6. Depression

3. Brain Cancer

Brain cancer develops due to the abnormal growth of cells in the brain. It arises due to the spreading of
cancer cells from various other parts of the body to the brain.

Symptoms of Brain Cancer:

1. Weakness

2. Difficulty in walking

3. Seizures

4. Headaches

5. Nausea,

6. Vomiting

7. Blurred vision

4. Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is formed in the breast cells. It usually begins in the inner lining of the milk ducts. It is most common in females.

Symptoms of Breast Cancer:

1. Pain

2. A lump

3. Tissue in the breast becomes thick

5. Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is a disease characterized by abnormal growths, or cancers, in the lungs. Most of the lung tumours are malignant, i.e. they spread throughout the body by destroying the healthy tissues around them.

Symptoms of Lung Cancer:

1. Persistent cough which worsens over time

2. Haemoptysis, i.e., coughing up blood or sputum

3. Wheezing or hoarseness

4. Persistent chest pain which gets worse with deep breathing or coughing or laughing

5. Respiratory infections like bronchitis or pneumonia which doesn’t go away

6. New cough or onset of wheezing

7. Shortness of breath

8. Feeling tired or weak frequently

9. Unexplained weight loss and loss of appetite

6. Neuroendocrine Cancer

A neuroendocrine tumour originates in the body’s neuroendocrine system which consists of the hormone-producing endocrine cells and the nerve cells. The tumour can develop in different parts of the body such as the brain, lungs and the gastrointestinal tract including the stomach and the intestines.

Symptoms of Neuroendocrine Cancer:

1. Chronic diarrhoea resulting in weight loss

2. High blood pressure

3. Fatigue

4. Nausea and vomiting

5. Bleeding

6. Black Stools

What is the Best Treatment for Cancer?

The treatment depends on the type of cancer, the place of origin of the cancer, size of the tumour, age of the patient and other factors.

1. Systematic Therapy, including chemotherapy, targeted therapy, hormone therapy and biological treatment that affects the entire body.

2. Local Therapy, which is focused on the area affected by cancer. This includes radiation therapy, surgery etc.

3. Palliative treatments, i.e. certain medications, to reduce or control the side effects of cancer treatments.

At S.L Raheja Hospital (A Fortis Associate), which offers the latest cancer treatment in Mumbai, the oncology team provides personalized treatment programs using advanced technologies and designs specialized treatment plans based on the regions of metastases.