Cancer warning signs

The goals of cancer treatment are to:

• Cure the cancer by killing or removing all cancer cells
• Prevent or delay the cancer from coming back
• Treat cancer symptoms (if the cancer cannot be cured)

The types of treatment depend on the type of cancer, but may include:

• Chemotherapy
• Radiation
• Surgery

You may receive more than one type of treatment. This is called combined therapy.

Cancer warning signs include:

• A change in bowel or bladder habits
• A sore that does not heal
• Unusual bleeding or drainage
• Thickening or lump in the breast or elsewhere
• Indigestion or swallowing difficulty
• A change in a wart or mole
• Persistent cough or hoarseness

It is important to note that these symptoms may also be due to conditions other than cancer.

The following articles offer more detailed information:

• Breast cancer
• Brain cancer - adults
• Brain cancer - children
• Cancer - general overview
• Cervical cancer
• Colon cancer
• Esophageal cancer
• Kidney cancer
• Leukemia
• Liver cancer
• Lung cancer
• Lymphoma
• Oral cancer (includes mouth cancer)
• Ovarian cancer
• Pancreatic cancer
• Penis cancer
• Prostate cancer
• Skin cancer
• Stomach cancer
• Testicular cancer
• Thyroid cancer
• Uterine cancer (endometrial cancer)
• Vaginal cancer
• Vulvar cancer

For information on cancer-related organizations, see Cancer - support groups.

Perry MC. Principles of cancer therapy. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier;2007:chap 192.