There is a category of people who are constantly looking for symptoms of cancer, even in the absence of any reason for this: nutrition is correct, lifestyle is healthy, bad habits are excluded. Such people regularly undergo all kinds of examinations, take tests, listen to the slightest signals from the body. Of course, with gloomy thoughts they somewhat poison the lives of themselves and their fellow physicians, but at the same time they can really recognize the signs of the disease at the beginning of its development.
The other category is not sick with anything, is not looking for anything, they undergo a fluorography or a gynecologist, because they demanded it at work. Such self-confidence often prevents a person from thinking about his health, paying attention to some unusual symptoms and quickly following to the doctor.
However, as you know, cancer does not choose a profession, status, age, just the likelihood of falling ill in a risk group is much higher, which modern medicine is trying to convey, designed to fight diseases that are difficult to treat, and in advanced stages are not amenable at all.
Error in the immune system - an "evil" result
Propaganda directing people to healthy lifestyle life, unfortunately, is not always effective. Drinking, smoking is harmful, being nervous too, and eating even more so, because any adverse factor can trigger the development of a malignant tumor, which, as you know, arises from one normal cell, degenerated and transformed for one reason or another into a cancerous one. Spontaneous mutations occur in human body constantly, but not all of them end in cancer, so it is impossible to feel when, on what day, hour or minute an “evil” cell appeared and why the immune system did not “recognize” it.
In a healthy body, the immune system will quickly detect evil and destroy it, but if the latter is reduced, the defenses are lost, and the immune system becomes unable to recognize and eliminate the “alien”, thus allowing it to multiply. This is how cancerous growth begins.
Cancer cells are characterized by rapid and aggressive reproduction, but they also have different abilities. How quickly the process will go depends on the type of tumor and its location. In this way, The initial symptoms and signs of cancer are determined by many parameters:
- The degree of malignancy of neoplasia;
- Process localization;
- The size of the tumor and the involvement of "neighbors" (nearby organs);
- The stage of the disease (as a rule, in stage 1, cancer is practically asymptomatic, while stage 4 is very difficult, painful and fatal).
The first signs of cancer are practically no different from the symptoms of other diseases, including benign ones, so when you feel headache or weakness, it is unlikely that a person will run to a doctor for a diagnosis. Meanwhile, there are certain signals declaring trouble, which for certain tumors, probably, can be considered the primary symptoms of cancer.
Cancer hides under different "masks"
Most malignant tumors in the first stage do not manifest themselves in any way, therefore they pass unnoticed, the person continues to consider himself healthy, lives, works and makes plans for the future. Meanwhile, general symptoms cancer, if you pay attention to them, little by little begin to appear:
Thus, it is obvious that the general symptoms of cancer in most cases are signs of a general ill health of the body and are characteristic of many pathological conditions, therefore, for self-diagnosis, which many patients love so much, it would probably be useful to acquaint them with specific manifestations the most common cancers.
open confrontation
“Feeling” a victory over the body, cancer begins to give itself away, and then its specific symptoms and signs appear, which allow the patient to suspect a malignant process. For each localization of the tumor, the initial signals are different, so we will briefly try to describe some of them.
Lungs
Morphologically, this process can be represented as follows: tissue cells in some vulnerable place begin to actively proliferate, which leads to atypical tissue growth. In the formed focus, the cells change and lose their functional abilities, which is clearly visible on microscopic examination (atypia). Dysplasia, which is often diagnosed in the cervix, is a typical example of a precancerous condition and is at risk for cervical cancer.
Threatening or obligate neoplasia (precancer) is spoken of in the case of diseases that, if left untreated, one way or another, but transform into cancer, although it is not known when this can happen: in a month or in a few years. Patients who do not want to be treated should understand that precancer can be considered the initial stage of the oncological process, therefore non-invasive tumor (in situ) must be radically eliminated. This gives hope for a full recovery.
Video: Warning Cancer Symptoms
Cancer is a dangerous disease, but in Russia more than 2.8 million people live with this diagnosis. According to statistics, more than 7-8 million people die from cancer every year around the world. Oncological diseases are on the 2nd place in the list of deaths, on the first place are cores. Although our country has become one of the "developed" countries, a complete cure for cancer has not yet been discovered.
Treatment becomes effective when cancer is detected at an early stage. In order not to miss this moment, you need to pay attention to any change in the body, because the causes of cancer can be very different, up to minor pain anywhere in the body.
Factors affecting the development of cancer
The development of cancer is influenced by external and internal (exogenous and endogenous), predisposing and contributing factors. It is important to recognize the causes of cancer in time and take the necessary measures to eliminate the consequences.
Cancer Symptoms
You need to pay attention to the signs of cancer, especially if you have a predisposition to this disease.
Uterine cancer
High estrogen levels. The woman's body recognizes the development of a malignant tumor in the uterus and ovaries in time, sending a signal with the help of estrogen. However, this is an inaccurate indicator, sometimes a malignant tumor can develop even with a negative indicator.
Symptoms of uterine cancer can appear already in the last stages and in advanced form. Uterine cancer in the initial stages rarely manifests itself, unfortunately, but you can still pay attention to some symptoms. As the disease progresses, there are:
1. Allocations.
Unpleasant mucous or purulent discharge can occur with vulvovaginitis, but cancer is no exception. Special care must be taken with bloody discharges.
2. Blood discharge.
If bleeding is observed regularly between menstruation, then a visit to the doctor is necessary to exclude the endometrium.
Rectal cancer
In women, colon cancer often presents with premenstrual discharge. And not very regularly, perhaps such discharge can be observed only between 2-3 cycles, and then stop altogether.
Basically, symptoms such as exacerbation of chronic diseases of the genitourinary system and impaired stool are observed.
- Frequent urge to urinate.
The cause may be diseases of the genitourinary system, a thorough examination by a doctor is needed.
- Chair disorder.
There may be diarrhea, a change in the amount of feces, constipation, etc. Frequent symptoms: bloody discharge with feces and pain in the anus.
Lungs' cancer
Coughing up blood is the first indicator of lung cancer. A painful and dry cough may indicate bronchial asthma, but if the cough is accompanied by sputum and blood, it is recommended to be tested for detection cancer cells.
There are cases when lung cancer is accompanied for no apparent reason and its detection is possible in the initial stages with the help of x-rays.
Skin cancer
Neoplasms in the form of a dark color may indicate cancer. Skin cancer progresses quite quickly, sometimes there are situations of slow effects on the body.
Moles can also be harbingers of cancer: enlargement, change in color and appearance.
breast cancer
breast cancer on early stages You can identify if you regularly monitor the condition of the breast. An increase in size, thickening and discharge from the nipples may indicate a disease. Pain in the early stages may not be observed, so patients do not pay attention to external changes.
A progressive type of cancer is characterized by a change in color in the breast area.
Stomach cancer
You can write endlessly about the symptoms of stomach cancer, there are too many of them. It is these symptoms that contribute to erroneous diagnoses. Often doctors associate the symptoms of cancer with the symptoms of gastritis, without even suspecting that the most important and precious time for the patient is leaving “from under the nose”.
Other signs of cancer include:
- Sudden weight loss.
A sharp weight loss can be observed in any disease. But if there is no apparent reason, then you need to consult a doctor. Cancer first of all "beats" the immune system, which leads to external changes in the body.
- Enlarged lymph nodes.
If the lymph nodes are enlarged and do not change in size within a month, then you need to go to the doctor for a biopsy to rule out cancer.
- Temperature.
A high temperature in cancer indicates an inflammatory process in the body. If the temperature is constantly high, this may also indicate that the cancer affects the entire organ system.
The temperature is not a prime example for determining cancer in the initial stage, more often it rises only in the last stages.
Consciously ignoring the signs of cancer, mistakenly assuming that it is incurable, is not worth it. Even the last stage of cancer is not a sentence! With proper treatment, life can be extended by several decades.
Remember! Early detection of cancer increases the chances of recovery.
3 myths about cancer
Myth 1. Cancer is an infectious disease and it is recommended to stay away from cancer patients.
This myth is easily refuted even by the fact that physicians treat the sick without taking special precautions to protect themselves from illness. Even with very long contact, the disease cannot be transmitted from one person to another.
In part, this myth has the right to be. Cancer is inherited.
Myth 2. People with multiple moles have cancer.
Any neoplasm on the skin can cause cancer. The key word is maybe, therefore, all people with moles should not be classified as cancer patients.
Congenital moles are not dangerous, they just need to be monitored regularly. An increase, discoloration, itching, and other signs are a cause for concern and a visit to a doctor.
Myth 3. Cancer cannot be cured.
After a terrible diagnosis, almost 98% of patients panic and 92% of them are not able to pull themselves together.
The expectation of death affects health not with better side. Numerous stresses only provoke the emergence of complex symptoms and bring the “end” closer. Timely detection of the disease at an early stage gives a positive result. There are cases in medicine when people at the last stage of cancer, who are no longer able to walk without someone else's help, miraculously get to their feet. There is only one reason - faith in healing and modern medicine.
The Israel Cancer Center treats all types of oncological diseases by experienced doctors, using modern highly qualified technology. So don't despair. Quality cancer treatment is possible.
Oncological diseases occupy a leading position in terms of patient mortality worldwide. A complete cure for cancer patients is possible only in the early stages of the disease, but many types of malignant neoplasms at the initial stage of formation are almost asymptomatic. However, there are a number of common oncological signs by which you can independently suspect the presence of cancer.
General symptoms
Oncologists point to the existence of the so-called small symptom complex, the detection of which is considered a reason for an immediate consultation with an oncologist:
- severe fatigue and gradual deterioration of health;
- headaches, dizziness, night sweats and progressive general weakness;
- persistent subfebrile body temperature, periodic febrile conditions in the evening;
- prolonged itching of the skin, violation of the structure and shape birthmarks, nevi and moles;
- an asymmetric increase in some areas of the papilloma with the formation of a red corolla, a sensation of a "foreign body" and tingling of the skin;
- symmetrical enlargement of a group of lymph nodes in the cervical region, inguinal or axillary areas;
- chronic course of ulcers, cracks and erosions on the skin or in the oral cavity;
- an increase in the volume of soft tissues, which is accompanied by an atypical color and pattern of the skin in this area;
- frequent attacks of bone pain, pathological fractures and local hyperthermia.
Specific signs of the disease
Oncologists are wary of the following symptoms:
- severe and prolonged pain when swallowing food. Such pain can be repeated repeatedly. Over time, the patient may experience tingling, scratching, and a "foreign object" feeling in the throat;
- retention of food in the esophagus;
- constant feeling of fullness in the stomach with frequent belching during meals;
- the presence of mucous and blood inclusions in the feces in combination with dull pain in the anus;
- prolonged purulent discharge from the nasal passages, which are not associated with rhinitis and sinusitis;
- persistent and recurrent bouts of dry cough, chest pain and bloody sputum;
- changes in acuity and a decrease in the field of view;
- constant headaches, lack of coordination of movements;
- frequent urge to urinate, mucous-blood discharge from the genitals, chronic pain in the pelvic area.
Analyzes
Examination of feces
Examination of a patient with suspected bowel cancer necessarily includes an analysis of feces for the presence of blood elements. Recent research by scientists at the University of Potsdam has led to the development of an innovative method for diagnosing intestinal cancer. The essence of the technique is to identify cancer cells that stand out from a malignant neoplasm of the gastrointestinal tract. It is noteworthy that such an analysis is able to diagnose early forms of oncology in the absence of specific symptoms of cancer.
General urine analysis
It allows you to determine the general condition of the urinary system. By the color of urine and the inclusion of leukocytes and erythrocytes, oncology or inflammatory-destructive changes in the kidneys can be suspected. Subsequent diagnosis requires additional diagnostic procedures and a doctor's consultation.
Recently, the press has published information about the successful scientific research of American scientists in the field of cancer diagnosis. Bladder and prostate by urinalysis.
General blood analysis
The development of malignant neoplasms provokes an increase in the concentration of certain biologically active substances in the blood. These substances are called tumor markers. Determination of the amount of a specific protein in the circulatory system is considered an integral part of the screening examination.
Cancer screening
A diagnostic technique that allows to establish the presence of a cancerous lesion in the preclinical stage of tumor development. Is it possible to determine cancer by blood analysis by analyzing the number of tumor markers? Blood analysis has such goals as early detection of cancerous tumors, differentiation of malignant and benign processes, monitoring the results and effectiveness of anticancer treatment, as well as timely detection of recurrence of the disease.
For diagnosis, blood is taken from the patient on an empty stomach. The duration of a laboratory study, as a rule, is one day.
The traditional set of oncomarkers includes:
- CEA-marker, which indicates the presence of neoplasms and metastatic lesions internal organs;
- CA 19-9 marker for the detection of pancreatic tumors;
- CA-15-3-marker, which makes it possible to detect breast cancer;
- CA-125 is a marker of metastatic and cancerous lesions of the ovaries.
Is it possible to determine cancer on its own by the level of tumor markers? It is impossible to answer unambiguously. The concentration of such substances can increase against the background of chronic inflammatory processes or viral infection of the body. Concerning an oncologist should analyze the results of a laboratory study, which in most cases recommends that the patient undergo an additional diagnostic examination.
Useful video
Diagnosis of cancerous tumors is a comprehensive examination using specific instrumental and laboratory methods. It is carried out according to indications, among which there are violations identified by a standard clinical blood test.
Malignant neoplasms grow very intensively, while consuming vitamins and microelements, as well as releasing the products of their vital activity into the blood, leading to significant intoxication of the body. Nutrients taken from the blood, the products of their processing also get there, which affects its composition. Therefore, it is often during routine examinations and laboratory tests that signs of a dangerous disease are detected.
Cancer can be suspected based on the results of standard and special studies. In pathological processes in the body, changes in the composition and properties of blood are reflected in:
- general analysis blood;
- biochemical research;
- analysis for tumor markers.
However, it is impossible to reliably determine cancer by a blood test. Deviations of any indicators can be caused by diseases that are in no way connected with oncology. Even a specific and most informative analysis for oncomarkers does not give a 100% guarantee of the presence or absence of a disease and needs to be confirmed.
Is it possible to determine oncology (cancer) by a general blood test?
This type of laboratory study gives an idea of the number of basic shaped elements that are responsible for the functions of the blood. A decrease or increase in any indicators is a signal of trouble, including the presence of neoplasms. A sample is taken from a finger (sometimes from a vein) in the morning, on an empty stomach. The table below lists the major categories of CBC or CBC and their normal values.
When interpreting the analyzes, it must be taken into account that, depending on gender and age, the indicators may vary, and there are also physiological reasons for increasing or decreasing values.
| Name, unit of measurement | Description | Quantity |
| Hemoglobin (HGB), g/l | Component of erythrocytes, transports oxygen | 120-140 |
| Erythrocytes (RBC), cells/l | Red cell count | 4-5x10 12 |
| color indicator | Has diagnostic value in anemia | 0,85-1,05 |
| Reticulocytes (RTC). % | young erythrocytes | 0,2-1,2% |
| Platelets (PLT), cells/l | Provide hemostasis | 180-320x10 9 |
| ESR (ESR), mm/h | The rate of sedimentation in the plasma of erythrocytes | 2-15 |
| Leukocytes (WBC), cells/l | Perform protective functions: maintaining immunity, fighting foreign agents and removing dead cells | 4-9x10 9 |
| Lymphocytes (LYM), % | These elements are the components of the concept of "leukocytes". Their number and ratio is called the leukocyte formula, which is of great diagnostic value in many diseases. | 25-40 |
| Eosinophils, % | 0,5-5 | |
| Basophils, % | 0-1 | |
| Monocytes, % | 3-9 | |
| Neutrophils: stab | 1-6 | |
| segmented | 47-72 | |
| myelocytes | 0 | |
| metamyelocytes | 0 |
Almost all of these blood counts in oncology change in the direction of decrease or increase. What exactly does the doctor pay attention to when studying the results of the analysis:
- ESR. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate in the plasma is above normal. Physiologically, this can be explained by menstruation in women, increased physical activity, stress, etc. However, if the excess is significant and is accompanied by symptoms general weakness and subfebrile temperature, cancer can be suspected.
- Neutrophils. Their number has been increased. Especially dangerous is the appearance of new, immature cells (myelocytes and metamyelocytes) in the peripheral blood, which is characteristic of neuroblastomas and other oncological diseases.
- Lymphocytes. These indicators of KLA in oncology are above the norm, since it is this blood element that is responsible for immunity and fights cancer cells.
- Hemoglobin. It decreases if there are tumor processes of internal organs. This is explained by the fact that the waste products of tumor cells damage red blood cells, reducing their number.
- Leukocytes. The number of white blood cells, as tests show in oncology, always decreases if the bone marrow is affected by metastases. The leukocyte formula is shifted to the left. Neoplasms of another localization lead to an increase.
It should be borne in mind that a decrease in hemoglobin and the number of red blood cells is characteristic of ordinary anemia caused by iron deficiency. An increase in ESR is observed in inflammatory processes. Therefore, such signs of oncology in a blood test are considered indirect and need to be confirmed.
Biochemical research
The purpose of this analysis, which is carried out annually, is to obtain information about the metabolism, the work of various internal organs, the balance of vitamins and microelements. A biochemical blood test for oncology is also informative, since a change in certain values allows us to draw conclusions about the presence of cancerous tumors. From the table you can find out what indicators should be normal.
It is possible to suspect cancer by a biochemical blood test when the following values are not normal:
- Albumin and total protein. They characterize the total amount of proteins in the blood serum and the content of the main one. A developing neoplasm actively consumes protein, so this indicator is significantly reduced. If the liver is affected, then even with good nutrition, there is a deficiency.
- Glucose. Cancer of the reproductive (especially female) system, liver, lungs affects the synthesis of insulin, inhibiting it. The result is symptoms diabetes, which reflects a biochemical blood test for cancer (sugar levels rise).
- Alkaline phosphatase. Increases, first of all, with bone tumors or metastases in them. It may also indicate oncology of the gallbladder, liver.
- Urea. This criterion allows you to evaluate the work of the kidneys, and if it is elevated, there is a pathology of the organ or there is an intensive breakdown of the protein in the body. The latter phenomenon is characteristic of tumor intoxication.
- Bilirubin and alanine aminotransferase (ALAT). An increase in the amount of these compounds informs about liver damage, including a cancerous tumor.
If cancer is suspected, a biochemical blood test cannot be used as a confirmation of the diagnosis. Even if there are coincidences on all points, additional laboratory tests will be required. As for blood donation itself, it is taken from a vein in the morning, and it is impossible to eat and drink (boiled water is allowed) from the previous evening.
Basic Analysis
If a biochemical and general blood test in oncology gives only a general idea of the presence of a pathological process, then a study on tumor markers even allows you to determine the location of a malignant neoplasm. This is the name of a blood test for cancer, which identifies specific compounds produced by the tumor itself or the body in response to its presence.
In total, about 200 tumor markers are known, but a little more than twenty are used for diagnosis. Some of them are specific, that is, they indicate damage to a particular organ, while others can be detected during different types cancer. For example, alpha-fetoprotein is a common oncomarker for oncology, it is found in almost 70% of patients. The same applies to CEA (cancer-embryonic antigen). Therefore, to determine the type of tumor, blood is examined for a combination of common and specific tumor markers:
- Protein S-100, NSE – brain;
- , SA-72-4, - the mammary gland is affected;
- , alpha-fetoprotein - cervix;
- , hCG - ovaries;
- , CEA, NSE, SCC - lungs;
- AFP, SA-125 - liver;
- SA 19-9, CEA, - stomach and pancreas;
- SA-72-4, CEA - intestines;
- - prostate;
- , AFP - testicles;
- Protein S-100 - skin.
But with all the accuracy and information content, the diagnosis of oncology by a blood test for tumor markers is preliminary. The presence of antigens can be a sign of inflammation and other diseases, and CEA is always elevated in smokers. Therefore, without confirmation by instrumental studies, the diagnosis is not made.
Can you get a good blood test for cancer?
This question is legitimate. If bad results are not a confirmation of cancer, can it be the other way around? Yes it is possible. The result of the analysis may be affected by the small size of the tumor or the use of drugs (given that for each tumor marker there is a specific list of drugs, the use of which can lead to false positive or false negative results, the attending physician and laboratory staff should be notified of the drugs taken by the patient).
Even if the blood tests are good and instrumental diagnostics did not give a result, but there are subjective complaints of pain, we can talk about an extraorgan tumor. For example, its retroperitoneal variety is detected already at stage 4, before that it practically did not let you know about yourself. The age factor also matters, since metabolism slows down over the years, and antigens also enter the blood slowly.
What blood parameters show oncology in women
The risk of getting cancer is approximately the same for both sexes, but the beautiful half of humanity has an additional vulnerability. The female reproductive system is at high risk of cancer, especially the mammary glands, which makes breast cancer the 2nd most common cancer among all malignant neoplasms. The epithelium of the cervix is also prone to malignant degeneration, so women should be responsible for examinations and pay attention to the following test results:
- KLA in oncology shows a decrease in the level of red blood cells and hemoglobin, as well as an increase in ESR.
- Biochemical analysis - here the cause for concern is the increase in the amount of glucose. Such symptoms of diabetes are especially dangerous for women, as they often become harbingers of breast and uterine cancer.
- In the study of tumor markers, the simultaneous presence of SCC antigens and alpha-fetoprotein indicates the risk of damage to the cervix. Glycoprotein CA 125 - the threat of endometrial cancer, AFP, CA-125, hCG - ovaries, and the combination of CA-15-3, CA-72-4, CEA suggests that the tumor can be localized in the mammary glands.
If something is alarming in the analyzes and there are characteristic signs of oncology in the initial stage, a visit to the doctor cannot be postponed. In addition, you should visit a gynecologist at least once a year, and regularly examine your breasts on your own. These simple preventive measures often help detect cancer in its early stages.
When is an analysis for tumor markers needed?
You should undergo an examination with a prolonged deterioration in well-being in the form of weakness, constant low temperature, fatigue, weight loss, anemia of unknown origin, swollen lymph nodes, the appearance of seals in the mammary glands, changes in the color and size of moles, disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, accompanied by discharge of blood after defecation, obsessive cough without signs of infection, etc.
Additional reasons are:
- age over 40;
- oncology in a family history;
- going beyond the norm of indicators of biochemical analysis and KLA;
- pain or prolonged dysfunction of any organs or systems, even to a slight extent.
The analysis does not take much time, while helping to identify a life-threatening disease in time and cure it in the least traumatic ways. In addition, such examinations should become regular (at least once a year) for those who have relatives with oncology or have crossed the age limit of forty.
How to prepare for the test for oncomarkers
Blood for research on antigens is donated from a vein in the morning. The results are issued within 1-3 days, and in order for them to be reliable, certain recommendations must be followed:
- do not have breakfast;
- do not take any medications and vitamins the day before;
- three days before making a cancer diagnosis by a blood test, exclude alcohol;
- do not take fatty and fried foods the day before;
- a day before the study, exclude heavy physical exertion;
- on the day of delivery, do not smoke in the morning (smoking increases CEA);
- so that third-party factors do not distort the indicators, first cure all infections.
After receiving the results on hand, one should not draw any independent conclusions and make diagnoses. This blood test for cancer does not have 100% certainty and requires instrumental confirmation.
Many malignant neoplasms in the early stages of their occurrence are asymptomatic or disguised as other diseases. Over the problem - how to recognize cancer at stages 1-2, medical specialists from all countries are working. The prognosis of recovery and survival directly depends on the stage at which the tumor focus was diagnosed.
Risk subgroups and predisposing factors
It is quite possible to detect cancer at an early stage - for this you just need to be attentive to your own health and undergo a comprehensive diagnostic examination annually. Particular attention should be paid to people belonging to the risk subgroup for oncopathology:
- abusing tobacco, alcohol products, drugs;
- persons whose immediate blood relatives are already suffering from various cancerous lesions;
- previously exposed to radiation;
- workers in industries with especially harmful working conditions.
Early diagnosis in the above category of citizens is the primary task of medical staff. Especially if there is one or a group of predisposing exogenous or endogenous factors:
- age category after 45–65 years, as the body ages, its tissues and structures wear out, more often there is a failure in cell division, their mutation;
- presence bad habits- in tobacco, alcoholic products there are significant amounts of various carcinogens;
- negative external factors- geographical place of residence, unfavorable environmental conditions, low level of access to medical care;
- the usual way of life of a person - for example, a tendency to hypodynamia, a poorly adjusted diet, chronic stressful situations, workaholism;
- negative hereditary predisposition - a 35–45% chance of the formation of a cancer focus in those whose closest relatives have already encountered a detected tumor focus.
A malignant neoplasm can form not only in people with low financial capabilities, but also in wealthy people.
What are the signs of cancer
In the early stages, the focus of mutated cells, as a rule, does not manifest itself in any way. It is diagnosed already after germination in the nervous and vascular structures, when the activity of tissues and organs is disrupted. Suspicious for cancer clinical manifestations:
- trophic defects that do not regenerate for a long time, wounds - despite the ongoing therapeutic efforts to heal them;
- unexplained discharge and bleeding;
- visually noticeable change in the shape and color of nevi, warts, moles;
- the formation of seals on the body, various swelling, retractions;
- prolonged cough, increased shortness of breath - in the absence of chronic pathologies of the respiratory structures;
- a significant decrease in appetite, a sharp weight loss, up to cachexia;
- frequent pain impulses various parts bodies without predisposing somatic conditions;
previously uncharacteristic, stubbornly increasing weakness, increased fatigue; - decrease in working capacity against the background of persistent dizziness, excessive sweating;
- detection of frequent subfebrile temperature;
- sensation of a foreign body in the region of the larynx, esophagus, stomach;
- independently determined increase in lymph nodes - in the armpits, inguinal region;
propensity to viral and infectious pathologies; - a sharp disorder of visual, auditory, speech function.
How to determine a cancerous lesion should be decided only by a specialist - it is not recommended to draw conclusions only on the basis of the above signs. Appropriate diagnostic procedures must be carried out.
Laboratory research
After a thorough history taking - complaints, family diseases, when and what symptoms a person noticed in himself, a specialist will conduct a physical examination.
The patient undergoes thermometry and anthropometry, visual examination - staining of the skin and mucous membranes, sclera and tongue. Then the activity of the respiratory and cardiovascular systems is listened to, possible deviations from the standards are identified.
After that, it is the turn of palpation and percussion - the boundaries of organs, the presence of incomprehensible seals, their pain, palpation of regional lymph nodes. At this moment, biomaterial sampling can be carried out for further research from the surfaces of the skin and mucous membranes - scrapings from nevi, warts.
In order to determine the cancer, the patient is necessarily sent to laboratory tests.
In a detailed general blood test, warning signs will be an increase in leukocyte parameters, against the background of a decrease in hemoglobin and a change in the blood formula itself - the presence of immature elements, myelocytes and blast cells. There is an acceleration of ESR - a mandatory sign of any inflammatory process in organism.
In biochemical analysis, a specialist is interested in the parameters of the activity of organs and systems - bilirubin, creatinine, alkaline phosphatase, transaminases and total protein, fibrinogen. If abnormalities are detected that are not explained by the pathologies that a person has, additional studies are necessary.
Similarly, urine, feces, cerebrospinal fluid are checked - the parameters of the formed elements are compared with the average statistical standards.
Blood for tumor markers
Blood diagnostics for specific tumor markers is becoming increasingly popular. This certain protein secreted by mutated cells into the bloodstream. Each tumor neoplasm has specific protein compounds. They have distinctive features from normal blood elements - in terms of functionality or quantitative characteristics.
In the early stages of tumor formation, cancer diagnosis using tumor markers is carried out in medical institutions during preventive examinations, for example, the PSA indicator of the blood is checked in the male part of the population, and the activity of the ovaries and mammary glands is checked in the female half.
In laboratory conditions, venous blood is taken by venipuncture, which is then examined with special reagents. Separately, tumor markers of the pancreas, lung structures, intestinal loops, prostate, mammary glands, as well as the liver and stomach are checked. However, the cost of such studies is quite high, so they are purposefully appointed by a specialist.
In addition, it is emphasized that tumor markers do not give a 100% result, a diagnosis is not made only on the basis of information from such a study. Be sure to compare with the results from other diagnostic procedures.
Instrumental Research
Mandatory to conduct, if you want to diagnose a tumor focus, are the following instrumental studies.
Non-invasive:
- ultrasound scanning - allows you to visualize parenchymal neoplasms, their localization, boundaries, the presence of metastases in distant organs;
- radiography - a widely used method, financially low-cost, helps to identify foci of inflammation and darkening in dense structures, for example, the spine, statutes.
Invasive:
- radioisotope diagnostics - allows you to carefully analyze the formed functional changes by introducing radioisotopes through a vein;
- various endoscopic procedures - gastroscopy, irrigoscopy, colonoscopy;
- immunodiagnostics - an analysis of the reactions of immune structures to certain types of cancer is carried out;
- cytological examination - determination of atypia in smears and tissue points.
When and how to detect cancer, the specialist determines. Of decisive importance is the taking of a biopsy - a piece of tissue directly from the tumor focus. Usually under ultrasound or CT guidance.
Additional modern methods for diagnosing cancer - layer-by-layer examination of tissues and organs in images computed tomography. Accurate information allows you to identify the localization of the pathological focus, damage to neighboring organs, germination, for example, into the vessels. Special training is usually not required. A contrast solution is administered to the patient immediately before the examination.
Hospitalization is also not carried out, the technique is quite feasible on an outpatient basis.
A more informative, but less accessible technique is MRI. The smallest structural units are subjected to research, soft tissues, lymph nodes. It is possible to make a direct diagnosis - a highly differentiated cancerous lesion or a poorly differentiated one.
Myths and diagnostics
Because absolutely exact method there is no diagnosis of cancer at an early stage of its occurrence, the task of medical staff is to identify predisposing conditions - precancerous. People with similar results of preventive examinations are under the supervision of their doctor. They necessarily conduct laboratory and instrumental studies in dynamics.
One of the existing myths is that cancer can be contracted from an already sick person. This is a false statement. It is impossible to get infected with a tumor. But to pass on to their children - yes. Therefore, if a cancer focus has been detected in the next of kin, it is necessary to monitor your health especially carefully.
Another myth is that cancer cannot be cured at the moment.
This is absolutely not true. Early diagnosis of pathology allows you to get rid of it in a short time and forever. The prognosis for survival and return to work is 98–100%.
Provided that the disease was diagnosed at stage 1-2A. This is the main task of doctors - to prevent the transition of the cancer focus to a neglected, inoperable stage. To understand this, the population holds informational talks, conferences, and "Cancer Health Schools" are being created.
