Cancer: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments

Symptoms

Cancer symptoms can vary widely depending on the type and location of the tumor. However, some common symptoms include:

persistent pain: pain in any part of the body that does not improve with common medications
weight loss: significant weight loss without changes in diet or physical activity
extreme fatigue: constant and prolonged tiredness, even after rest
skin changes: changes such as darkening, redness, or sores that do not heal
changes in bowel or urinary habits: constipation, persistent diarrhea, or changes in urinary frequency
unusual bleeding: unexplained bleeding, such as blood in the stool, urine, or coughing up blood
lumps or swelling: presence of lumps or swellings that do not go away
difficulty swallowing: persistent difficulty in swallowing

These symptoms can also appear in other diseases. Therefore, it is essential to seek a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis.

Causes

Several factors can contribute to the development of cancer, and it is essential to understand the possible causes of the disease. The main risk factors include:

smoking: tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of cancer
sun exposure: excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun or artificial sources, such as tanning beds, increases the risk of skin cancer
genetic factors: a family history of cancer can increase the risk due to inherited mutations
exposure to chemicals: prolonged contact with certain chemicals can raise the risk of developing cancer
viral infections: some viruses, such as human papillomavírus (HPV) and hepatitis B and C viruses, are associated with a higher risk of cancer
diet and lifestyle: an unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, excessive alcohol consumption, and obesity are risk factors for cancer development
advanced age: the risk of developing cancer increases with age

Diagnosis

Cancer diagnosis usually involves a combination of exams and tests performed by a healthcare professional specialized in oncology. Early diagnosis is crucial for successful treatment. The exams may include:

imaging tests: computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and ultrasound are used to visualize the inside of the body and identify possible tumors
biopsy: removal of a tissue sample for analysis to confirm the presence of cancer cells
blood tests may include tumor marker tests, which detect substances produced by cancer cells in the blood
endoscopy: insertion of a flexible tube with a camera to examine internal areas of the body and collect tissue samples
laboratory tests: additional lab tests to determine the extent and type of cancer present

Treatment

Cancer treatment depends on its stage, the patient’s overall health, and other factors. The main treatment options include:

surgery: removal of the tumor and some of the healthy tissue surrounding the affected area
chemotherapy: use of drugs to destroy cancer cells or stop their growth
radiation therapy: use of radiation to destroy cancer cells and shrink tumors
targeted therapy: treatment that uses specific drugs to target cancer cells with certain genetic and molecular characteristics
immunotherapy: stimulation of the patient’s immune system to fight cancer cells
palliative care: in advanced cases, palliative care aims to relieve symptoms and improve the patient’s quality of life

Einstein Oncology and Hematology offers comprehensive care from diagnosis to treatment. Learn more.

Prevention

Although not all cancer cases can be prevented, certain measures can help reduce the risk of the disease:

no smoking: avoiding tobacco use is one of the most effective ways to prevent cancer
sun protection: use sunscreen and protective clothing to reduce exposure to UV rays
healthy diet: eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and low in processed foods
physical activity: exercise regularly to maintain a healthy weight
vaccination: vaccines against cancer-related viruses, such as HPV and hepatitis B, can help prevent the disease
alcohol consumption control: limit the intake of alcoholic beverages
regular screenings: undergo screening tests as recommended by healthcare professionals for early cancer detection, especially for those with a family history of the disease