Sunday, August 28, 2011

What are the symptoms of stomach cancer and Lung cancer


What are the symptoms of stomach cancer and Lung cancer?
I had severe stomach pain 4 days back, till today i have tenderness due to that pain... i am on antibiotics and pain killers...i smoke 4-5 cigrattes a day (from last 10 years) i abdoman is slightly swollen and pain is towards right abdoman...
Cancer - 1 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
http://www.medicinenet.com/lung_cancer/page4.htm#toce What are the signs and symptoms of lung cancer? Symptoms of lung cancer are varied dependent upon where and how widespread the tumor is. Warning signs of lung cancer are not always present or easy to identify. A person with lung cancer may have the following kinds of symptoms: * No symptoms: In up to 25% of people who get lung cancer, the cancer is first discovered on a routine chest x-ray or CT scan as a solitary small mass sometimes called a coin lesion. These patients with small single masses often report no symptoms of lung cancer at the time it is discovered. * Symptoms related to the cancer: The growth of the cancer and invasion of lung tissues and surroundings may interfere with breathing, leading to symptoms such as cough, shortness of breath, wheezing, chest pain, and coughing up blood (hemoptysis). If the cancer has invaded nerves, for example, it may cause shoulder pain that travels down the outside of the arm (called Pancoast's Syndrome) or paralysis of the vocal cords leading to hoarseness. Invasion of the esophagus may lead to difficulty swallowing (dysphagia). If a large airway is obstructed, collapse of a portion of the lung may occur and cause infections (abscesses, pneumonia) in the obstructed area. * Symptoms related to metastasis: Lung cancer that has spread to the bones may produce excruciating pain at the sites of bone involvement. Cancer that has spread to the brain may cause a number of neurologic symptoms that may include blurred vision, headaches, seizures, or symptoms of stroke such as weakness or loss of sensation in parts of the body. * Paraneoplastic symptoms: Lung cancers frequently are accompanied by so-called paraneoplastic syndromes that result from production of hormone-like substances by the tumor cells. Paraneoplastic syndromes occur most commonly with SCLC but may be seen with any tumor type. A common paraneoplastic syndrome associated with SCLC is the production of a hormone called adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) by the cancer cells, leading to oversecretion of the hormone cortisol by the adrenal glands (Cushing's syndrome). The most frequent paraneoplastic syndrome seen with NSCLC is the production of a substance similar to parathyroid hormone, resulting in elevated levels of calcium in the bloodstream. * Nonspecific symptoms: Nonspecific symptoms seen with many cancers including lung cancers include weight loss, weakness, and fatigue. Psychological symptoms such as depression and mood changes are also common. When should one consult a doctor? One should consult a health care provider if they develop the symptoms associated with lung cancer, in particular, if they have * a new persistent cough or worsening of an existing chronic cough , * blood in the sputum, * persistent bronchitis or repeated respiratory infections , * chest pain , * unexplained weight loss and/or fatigue , and/or * breathing difficulties such as shortness of breath or wheezing. and http://www.cancerhelp.org.uk/help/default.asp?page=3897 The symptoms of stomach cancer can be quite vague. Symptoms can include * Indigestion, acidity and burping * Feeling full * Pain * Feeling or being sick * Difficulty in swallowing * Bleeding or tiredness and breathlessness because you have lost blood * Blood clots * Weight loss (usually a symptom of a more advanced cancer) Indigestion and burping The earliest symptoms are often acidity and burping. Many people diagnosed with stomach cancer have had symptoms like these for years. But these are symptoms of other stomach problems too. Most people who have chronic indigestion and wind never develop cancer. About 1 in every 50 people going to the doctor for the first time with indigestion and burping will have stomach cancer. Feeling full Another early symptom can be feeling full up sooner when eating your meals. If this leads to eating less over a period of time, you will start to lose weight. Pain, sickness and difficulty swallowing These are common symptoms. More than half of those diagnosed with stomach cancer have either pain, sickness or some difficulty swallowing. The exact site of the pain can vary. It is most usually in the upper abdomen. Or you may have pain just under your breastbone (sternum) or slightly lower down. You may also feel sick or actually be sick. Bleeding Even early stomach cancers can bleed. Bleeding over a period of time can make you anaemic. This means your red blood cell count is too low. Anaemia will make you look pale and feel tired. If you are very anaemic you may feel breathless. Vomiting blood is not a common early symptom, but it can happen. If it does, the blood may not be clearly seen. The blood you bring up may be bright red, which means it is fresh bleeding. Or it may look like used coffee grounds because the blood has been in the stomach for a while. Blood clots People with stomach cancer are more likely to get blood clots. If you have pain or swelling in a leg, or sudden chest pain and breathlessness, you could have a blood clot in your leg or lung. You should contact your doctor straight away because you will need immediate anti-clotting medication. Advanced stomach cancer Symptoms of a more advanced stomach cancer can include * Loss of appetite * Weight loss * Fluid in the abdomen * Blood in the stool * Anaemia Losing your appetite and losing weight are often later symptoms and can be a sign that the cancer is more advanced. Although some people with early stomach cancer lose their appetite too. With an advanced cancer, it may be possible for your doctor to feel a lump in your tummy (abdomen). Some people with advanced stomach cancer develop fluid in the abdomen. This is called ascites. Some stomach cancers bleed but don't cause you to vomit. The blood goes through your digestive system. This can cause your bowel movements to look black, like tar.



Read more discussions :