A plethora of cancers exist, all of which are equally devastating. While most understand the warning signs affiliated with more common cancers, such as breast or colon, others recognize common aches and pains as being harmless at best rather than the signs of a lesser discussed cancer, like carcinoma.
Carcinoma is a type of cancer that originates in the cells that make up the skin or the lining of vital organs, including the liver and kidneys. The abnormal cells of carcinoma divide uncontrollably and can spread to other portions of the body, but this is not always the case. Carcinoma can occur in a multitude of portions of the body, but six types seem to be the most common, including basal cell, renal cell, squamous cell, ductal carcinoma in situ, invasive ductal, and adenocarcinoma.
Regardless of what type of carcinoma one might be diagnosed with, they each share similar symptoms that many people opt to ignore. From swelling of the skin, anemia, minor or significant weight loss, and lower back pain to lumps, sores, or a fever, carcinoma effects people in ways that they would otherwise not notice. Because of this, it is salient to recognize symptoms and threats, and to routinely undergo screenings with medical professionals to ensure that the common is not, in fact, much more serious.
1. Swelling: What to Be Wary Of and What to Ignore
Swelling, or edema when medically speaking, can be the result of many conditions, including cancer. This retention of fluid is usually the consequence of poorly functioning kidneys, which are vital organs commonly damaged by carcinoma. Plenty of signs help differentiate between normal and abnormal.
After walking, standing, or sitting, those with edema notice that their lower legs and feet begin to swell, sometimes painfully. Additionally, those with the condition notice their rings fit entirely too tight and that their hands feel tight when making a fist. A large, swollen, and hardened belly is of the utmost importance to remain watchful of and those suffering from such a symptom should be checked for cancer if they are not taking medication of which edema is a side effect. Difficulty breathing and heart palpitations are serious warning signs of swelling, too.
2. Is Your Lower Back Pain Harmless?
Often times, lower back pain is simply part of life. Be that as it may, pain that comes and goes once in a while is a sign of working too hard or a poor night’s sleep, but relentless aches should be evaluated by a medical professional. Spinal tumors are a common consequence of this pain, as is infection. Lower back pain is a symptom for ninety percent of those with spinal tumors and metastases, and over twenty-thousand cases are reported annually of such conditions.
To recognize when this pain is something more serious than a benign ache, it is essential to understand when it becomes persistent and is not easily abated by rest. Those with malignant lower back pain may also see that their legs grow weak and tired as an outcome.
3. A Visual Symptom: The Lump
Common with basal cell carcinoma, lumps are one of the most obvious signs that something is wrong internally, thus effecting the exterior. Occurring in cells that line the deepest portion of the skin’s outer layer, lumps can be either benign or malignant, but professionals almost always recommend the quick removal of these blemishes to avoid scarring and the metastization of the cells. Most commonly, this form of the disease is associated with people who have spent a lot of time in the sun and can also appear as red patches, shiny bumps or scars, open sores, and pink growths in addition to the common lump.
4. Anemia
This sign is often in direct correlation with other symptoms, especially edema. A condition where the body does not have enough red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout the body, anemia can be as deadly as it is hard on the body in general. While anemia is a side effect of the treatment of many cancer conditions, cancers like carcinoma can cause it as well.
Cancer tires out red blood cells faster than they would normally deteriorate, making the transference of oxygen throughout the body a difficult feat. Cancer prevents the regeneration of red blood cells and generally affects a person’s ability to utilize stored vitamins and minerals, specifically iron. Though cancer can cause anemia, it is important to note that anemia does not cause cancer and is often just the result of a vitamin deficiency in the body.
5. The Common Fatigue
Much like anemia, fatigue is a symptom that results from cancer itself or other symptoms. When cancer cells invade the body, it works hard to destroy it, resulting in fatigue. However, the tiredness after a long day at the office and that experienced with carcinoma are two entirely different things.
Cancer-related fatigue is relentless; it never subsides and it progresses. Daily activities become difficult to complete and one becomes too tired to do the things that they normally would. Additionally, arms and legs are described as feeling heavy and mental confusion tends to become the norm. Fatigue can result from anemia as well.
6. A Random Fever
Everyone battling cancer will fall victim to a fever because of its destruction on the immune system. The body’s difficulty in warding off infection results in fevers often, but that does not always mean that something worse is lingering within the body.
Of course, fevers are common in everybody at some point in their lives. Seasonal changes, colds, and minor bugs all cause fevers, but frequent spikes in temperature could demonstrate the early signs of cancer. Malignant cancer cells release substances in the bloodstream, which forces the immune system to respond accordingly, thus causing a spike in temperature. It is important to note, though, that this is not a symptom always linked to cancer.
7. Abnormal Weight Loss
A major difference can be found between losing five pounds after exercising for a week and dropping a significant amount of weight for no real reason at all. Because of the effect carcinoma has on the immune system and random portions of the body, a person who has it will lose their appetite. Additionally, cancer cells use up the majority of the body’s supply of energy, thus altering the way that the body converts food into energy. This negative change has a direct relationship to fatigue as well. Basically, if you are tired and lacking energy, you will be less inclined to eat.
