Common Cancers

Head and Neck Cancers

Different areas of head and neck can developcancer. Different areas are depicted below and cancer can arise in any of them

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Oral Cancer

This is the most common cancer. Oral canecr can at different sites like lips, the front two-thirds of the tongue, gums, inner side of cheeks, floor of the mouth(below the tongue) , the hard palate (bony top of the mouth), and retromolar Trigone (the small area of the gum behind the wisdom teeth).
  • Common Symptoms.
  • Persistent mouth sores or ulcer that does not heal.
  • Persistent mouth pain.
  • Decreased mouth opening.
  • A lump or thickening in the cheek.
  • A white or red patch.
  • Persisting difficulty or pain swallowing or chewing.
  • Swelling or node in neck.
    • Early detection of Oral Cancer Self Mouth Eaxmination – Monthly.

    Throat Cancer

    This means cancer of the voice box and other parts of the throat, such as tonsil , back part of tongue and pharynx. Throat cancer is often grouped into two categories: Pharyngeal cancer and Laryngeal cancer. Pharyngeal cancer forms in the pharynx. This is the hollow tube that runs from behind your nose to the top of your windpipe. There are 3 parts of Pharynx – Nasopharynx, Oropharynx and Hypopharynx. Laryngeal cancer forms in the larynx, which is your voice box.
    Common Symptoms
  • Dry Repetitive Cough
  • Changes in voice, such as hoarseness or not speaking clearly.
  • Difficulty in swallowing.
  • Ear pain.
  • A lump in neck or throat.
  • Persisting feeling of some foreign body like sensation.

    • Breast Cancer

    Breast cancer can begin in different parts of the breast. A breast is made up of three main parts: lobules, ducts, and connective tissue. The lobules are the glands that produce milk. The ducts are tubes that carry milk to the nipple. The connective tissue (which consists of fibrous and fatty tissue) surrounds and holds everything together. Most breast cancers begin in the ducts or lobules.
    Breast cancer symptoms
  • a lump in the breast or armpit,
  • bloody nipple discharge,
  • inverted nipple,
  • orange-peel texture or dimpling of the breast’s skin,
  • a change in the size or shape of the breast or nipple.

    • Early Detection of Breast Cancer

  • Breast Self examination.
  • Clinical Breast Examination.
  • Mammography.
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    Gynecologic cancers

     

    Gynecologic Cancer Types

     

    Cervical Cancer
    Cervical cancer begins in the cervix, which is the opening of the uterus (womb) into the vagina (birth canal).
    Endometrial and Uterine Cancer
    Endometrial cancer starts in the inner lining of the uterus (womb).
    Ovarian Cancer 
    Ovarian Cancer begins in the ovaries, which are female reproductive glands that produce eggs (ova) for reproduction as well as the female hormones estrogen and progesterone.

    Symptoms of Gyaneic cancer

  • Abnormal vaginal bleeding(eg post menopausal, post coitus) or discharge is common on all gynecologic cancers except vulvar cancer.
  • Feeling full too quickly or difficulty eating, bloating, and abdominal or back pain, constipation are common only for ovarian cancer.
  • Pelvic pain or pressure is common for ovarian and uterine cancers.
    • Gastrointestinal Cancer 
    Gastrointestinal cancer is a term that encompasses a group of cancers that affect the gastrointestinal tract. Types of gastrointestinal cancer include.
    Common Symptoms
  • Difficulty in swallowing.
  • abdominal pain, tenderness, or discomfort.
  • change in bowel habits, such as frequency or consistency or shape of stool.
  • rectal bleeding or blood in stool.
  • bloating.
  • loss of appetite and weight loss.
  • nausea/vomiting.
  • unintentional weight loss.
  • fatigue.
  • Jaundice.
    • These are common symptoms of gastrointestinal cancer, but there are more symptoms that relate specifically to each type.
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    Lung Cancer

    Lung cancers are divided into non–small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer based on the type of cell in which the cancer started. Mostly seen in smokers. 10% cancer can be in non smokers.
    Symptoms
  • A new cough that doesn’t go away.
  • Coughing up blood, even a small amount.
  • Shortness of breath.
  • Chest pain.
  • Hoarseness.
  • Losing weight without trying.
  • Bone pain.
  • Headache.

    • Bone Tumours

    They may be benign or malignant (bone cancer). Benign (non-cancerous) tumors in the bones are more common than bone cancers. When cancer is detected in bones, it either originated in the bones (as in primary bone cancer) or has spread to the bone after originating elsewhere (a metastasis or secondary cancer that spread to the bones). Breast, prostate, and lung cancers are among the types of cancers that commonly spread to the bone in their advanced stages. Multiple myeloma is another cancer of the immune cells that typically begins in the bone marrow. These tumors are not considered primary bone cancers because they do not arise from the actual bone cells.
    Different types of bone cancer :
  • Osteosarcoma.
  • Chondrosarcoma.
  • Ewing sarcoma.
  • Pleomorphic sarcoma.
  • Fibrosarcoma.
  • Chordoma.

    • Soft Tissue Sarcoma

    A sarcoma is a type of cancer that develops from certain tissues, like bone or muscle. Bone and soft tissue sarcomas are the main types of sarcoma. Soft tissue sarcomas can develop from soft tissues like fat, muscle, nerves, fibrous tissues, blood vessels, or deep skin tissues. They can be found in any part of the body. Most of them develop in the arms or legs. They can also be found in the trunk, head and neck area, internal organs, and the area in back of the abdominal cavity (known as the retroperitoneum).
    Symptoms
    Signs of a benign soft tissue tumor vary widely. If they are close to the surface of the body, they may appear as a lump. Some cause pain; others don’t. They vary widely in how they look as well. If you have pain or if the tumor grows, you should see a doctor.

    Urologic Cancer

    Urologic cancers affect the organs and structures of the male and female urinary system and the male reproductive system.
    Types of Urologic Cancers
  • Bladder cancer.
  • Renal (kidney) cancer.
  • Testicular cancer forms in a testis.
  • Penile cancer is rare.

    • Kidney Cancer

    Symptoms
  • blood in urine, may notice urine is darker than normal or reddish in colour.
  • a persistent pain in your lower back or side.
  • a lump or swelling in your side.

    • Prostate Cancer

    These cancers develop from the gland cells (the cells that make the prostate fluid that is added to the semen).Usually prostate cancer have no symptoms to begin. prostate cancers can grow and spread quickly, but most grow slowly.
    Common Symptoms
  • Symptoms are similar to BPH – benign prostatic hypertrophy in initial stage.
  • Urinary urgency.
  • Nocturnal frequency.
  • Urinary retention.
  • Rectal pain.
  • Blood in urine.
  • Repeated urine infection.
  • Bone pain.
  • Weakness, Weight loss and anorexia.