Symptoms of Cancer

If you experience symptoms persisting for a couple of weeks, it's crucial to consult a doctor.

Cancer can present with various symptoms, although frequently these symptoms are attributed to illness, injury, benign tumors, or other health issues. If symptoms persist beyond a few weeks, it's advisable to seek medical attention promptly to facilitate early diagnosis and treatment. It's important to note that cancer may not always cause pain, so it's wise not to wait until pain develops before seeing a doctor.

To learn more about symptoms specific to particular types of cancer, refer to the list of PDQ® cancer treatment summaries for both adult and childhood cancers, each providing comprehensive information on symptoms associated with a specific cancer type.

Some common symptoms that cancer may cause include:

• Bladder changes:
  • Trouble urinating
  • Pain when urinating
  • Blood in the urine
  • Bleeding or bruising, for no known reason
• Bowel changes:
  • Blood in the stools
  • Changes in bowel habits
  • Cough or hoarseness that does not go away
• Eating problems:
  • Pain after eating (heartburn or indigestion that doesn’t go away)
  • Trouble swallowing
  • Belly pain
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Appetite changes
  • Fatigue that is severe and lasts
• Mouth changes:
  • A white or red patch on the tongue or in your mouth
  • Bleeding, pain, or numbness in the lip or mouth
• Neurological problems:
  • Headaches
  • Seizures
  • Vision changes
  • Hearing changes
  • Drooping of the face
• Skin changes:
  • A flesh-colored lump that bleeds or turns scaly
  • A new mole or a change in an existing mole
  • A sore that does not heal
  • Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes)
  • Swelling or lumps anywhere such as in the neck, underarm, stomach, and groin
• Weight gain or weight loss for no known reason