Diagnosis of cancer

Cancer is a broad term, referring to hundreds of different conditions that can develop in any part of the body. For this reason, symptoms range widely—from a tumor that you can see or feel, to one that affects how your body functions, to no symptoms at all. What’s the main thing all cancers have in common? They all begin when abnormal cells in the body start to grow and spread uncontrollably. When doctors give a diagnosis of cancer, it’s never an assumption. They rule out other possible causes before they zero in on cancer. Then, working with other medical specialists, they carefully perform a series of tests to check (and double-check) the diagnosis. “Cancer diagnosis and treatment is a multidisciplinary team effort,” says Yale Medicine pathologist Our cancer experts are national/international leaders in their field, with the most up-to-date knowledge and skill in cancer diagnosis and treatment. “We have a large number of specialists with expertise in specific types of cancers, which is critical for the care of cancer patients,” Dr. Humphrey says. The truth is that cancer can cause almost any symptom, depending on where the But for cancers that grow internally, like stomach cancer, the tumor may go unnoticed for some time, allowing the cancer to advance. Meanwhile, general symptoms—weight loss, fever, fatigue—often develop. Cancer is sometimes detected during a routine screening test (such as a mammogram or colonoscopy). Screenings are performed for common cancers, includ...

Overview Cancer refers to any one of a large number of diseases characterized by the development of abnormal cells that divide uncontrollably and have the ability to infiltrate and destroy normal body tissue. Cancer often has the ability to spread throughout your body. Cancer is the second-leading cause of death in the world. But survival rates are improving for many types of cancer, thanks to improvements in cancer screening, treatment and prevention. Symptoms Signs and symptoms caused by cancer will vary depending on what part of the body is affected. Some general signs and symptoms associated with, but not specific to, cancer, include: • Fatigue • Lump or area of thickening that can be felt under the skin • Weight changes, including unintended loss or gain • Skin changes, such as yellowing, darkening or redness of the skin, sores that won't heal, or changes to existing moles • Changes in bowel or bladder habits • Persistent cough or trouble breathing • Difficulty swallowing • Hoarseness • Persistent indigestion or discomfort after eating • Persistent, unexplained muscle or joint pain • Persistent, unexplained fevers or night sweats • Unexplained bleeding or bruising When to see a doctor Make an appointment with your doctor if you have any persistent signs or symptoms that concern you. If you don't have any signs or symptoms, but are worried about your risk of cancer, discuss your concerns with your doctor. Ask about which cancer screening tests and procedures are approp...

Key facts • Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for nearly 10 million deaths in 2020, or nearly one in six deaths. • The most common cancers are breast, lung, colon and rectum and prostate cancers. • Around one-third of deaths from cancer are due to tobacco use, high body mass index, alcohol consumption, low fruit and vegetable intake, and lack of physical activity. • Cancer-causing infections, such as human papillomavirus (HPV) and hepatitis, are responsible for approximately 30% of cancer cases in low- and lower-middle-income countries. • Many cancers can be cured if detected early and treated effectively. Overview Cancer is a generic term for a large group of diseases that can affect any part of the body. Other terms used are malignant tumours and neoplasms. One defining feature of cancer is the rapid creation of abnormal cells that grow beyond their usual boundaries, and which can then invade adjoining parts of the body and spread to other organs; the latter process is referred to as metastasis. Widespread metastases are the primary cause of death from cancer. The problem Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for nearly 10 million deaths in 2020 (1). The most common in 2020 (in terms of new cases of cancer) were: • breast (2.26 million cases); • lung (2.21 million cases); • colon and rectum (1.93 million cases); • prostate (1.41 million cases); • skin (non-melanoma) (1.20 million cases); and • stomach (1.09 million cases). The mo...

At our National Cancer Information Center trained Cancer Information Specialists can answer questions 24 hours a day, every day of the year to empower you with accurate, up-to-date information to help you make educated health decisions. We connect patients, caregivers, and family members with valuable services and resources. Or ask us how you can get involved and support the fight against cancer. Some of the topics we can assist with include: • Referrals to patient-related programs or resources • Donations, website, or event-related assistance • Tobacco-related topics • Volunteer opportunities • Cancer Information For medical questions, we encourage you to review our information with your doctor. Staging is the process of finding out how much cancer is in a person’s body and where it’s located. It’s how the doctor determines the stage of a person’s cancer. Why is cancer staging needed? For most types of cancer, doctors need to know how much cancer there is and where it is (among other things) to help determine the best treatment options. For example, the best treatment for an early-stage cancer may be Of course, the stage of a cancer isn’t the only factor used to decide which treatments might be best. Sometimes, cancers with different stages might be treated the same way, or cancers with the same stage might be treated in different ways. Many factors determine the best treatment options for each person. A cancer’s stage can also be used to help predict the course it will l...

Andrei Orlov / Istockphoto.com / Stock Basics While the term "Onco" means mass, and "logy" means study, not all cancers cause a mass. There are hundreds of types of cancer that may arise from epithelial cells (such as breast ducts and airways in the lungs), connective tissue (such as sarcomas), or blood cells (such as leukemias and lymphomas). Cancer is caused by the uncontrolled growth and reproduction of a cell that is initiated by a series of mutations in a normal cell. There are hallmarks of cancer that differentiate it from benign conditions. In addition to uncontrolled growth, cancer cells work to create new blood vessels to supply their growth, resist death, and much more. As of January of 2019, there were 16.9 million cancer survivors living in the United States, with that number expected to increase to 22.1 million by 2030. History Researchers have noted evidence of cancerous (malignant) tumors in animals even before people inhabited the earth. The earliest written description of the disease was in 3000 BC, but evidence has been noted further back in fossils and mummies. Oncologists may also be referred to as either community oncologists; oncologists who work at cancer centers in the community and generally treat all types of cancer, and academic oncologists; physicians who work at the larger cancer centers and often specialize in one type (or one subtype) of cancer. • Pediatric oncologists, treating children with cancer • Adolescent and young adult oncology • Gyn...

Cancer affects 1 in 3 people in the United States. Chances are that you or someone you know has been affected by cancer. Here is some information to help you better understand what cancer is. You are made up of trillions of cells that over your lifetime normally grow and divide as needed. When cells are abnormal or get old, they usually die. Cancer starts when something goes wrong in this process and your cells keep making new cells and the old or abnormal ones don't die when they should. As the cancer cells grow out of control, they cancrowd out normal cells. This makes it hard for your body to work the way it should. For many people, cancer can be treated successfully. In fact, more people than ever before lead full lives after cancer treatment. Cancer is more than just one disease There are many types of cancer. Cancer can develop anywhere in the body and is named for the part of the body where it started. For instance, breast cancer that starts in the breast is still called breast cancer even if it spreads (metastasizes) to other parts of the body. There are two main categories of cancer: • Hematologic (blood) cancers are cancers of the blood cells, including leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma. • S olid tumor cancers are cancers of any of the other body organs or tissues. The most common solid tumors are breast, prostate, lung, and colorectal cancers. These cancers are alike in some ways, but can be different in the ways they grow, spread, and respond to treatmen...

Cancer survival rates or survival statistics tell you the percentage of people who survive a certain type of cancer for a specific amount of time. Cancer statistics often use an overall five-year survival rate. Survival rates are usually given in percentages. For instance, the overall five-year survival rate for bladder cancer is 77 percent. That means that of all people who have bladder cancer, 77 of every 100 are living five years after diagnosis. Conversely, 23 out of every 100 are dead within five years of a bladder cancer diagnosis. Cancer survival rates are based on research from information gathered on hundreds or thousands of people with a specific cancer. An overall survival rate includes people of all ages and health conditions who have been diagnosed with your cancer, including those diagnosed very early and those diagnosed very late. Your doctor may be able to give you more specific statistics based on your stage of cancer. For instance, 60 percent of people diagnosed with early-stage lung cancer live for at least five years after diagnosis. The five-year survival rate for people diagnosed with late-stage lung cancer that has spread (metastasized) to other areas of the body is 6 percent. Overall survival rates don't specify whether cancer survivors are still undergoing treatment at five years or if they've become cancer-free (achieved remission). Other types of survival rates that give more specific information include: • Disease-free survival rate. This is the...