If you feel more tired than usual and rest is not helping, talk to your doctor. Cancers sometimes cause anemia or internal bleeding, which can make you feel exhausted.
There are more than 100 types of cancer, and oncologists and researchers classify them into different groups. The most common type is carcinoma, a cancer that originates in cells covering the body's surfaces.
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Carcinomas are cancers that originate in epithelial cells, which help form the protective layers that cover the body’s surfaces. For example, when cancer cells start forming in the uterine lining, it becomes a type of carcinoma. Similarly, the lungs have a lining, and when cancer cells begin to grow in this lining, it is called carcinoma.
The signs and symptoms of carcinoma can vary widely, depending on the type of cancer and the area of the body where it begins. For example, colon cancer symptoms can include changes in bowel habits, a feeling of fullness after bowel movements, and gas and other gastrointestinal disturbances. On the other hand, someone with basal cell carcinoma (BCC) may not experience any gastric distress.
In general, carcinomas can produce a range of signs and symptoms that may include the following:
If you feel more tired than usual and rest is not helping, talk to your doctor. Cancers sometimes cause anemia or internal bleeding, which can make you feel exhausted.
This is often one of the first symptoms people notice. Cancers, including carcinomas, can alter your metabolism or cause inflammation that affects your appetite. If you have lost weight without explanation, or if you notice changes in your appetite, bowel movements, or responses to food, consult your doctor.
Pain can be a sign of a tumor pressing on nerve endings or tissue damage caused by cancer. If you have unexplained pain, especially if it is severe or keeps coming back, seek medical attention.
Some tumors release a substance that causes fever. Your body’s immune response can also trigger an inflammatory response that can cause fever. Always report any unexplained, persistent fever to your doctor.
Skin cancers can cause the appearance of new moles, marks, or bumps on your skin. Other cancers can also cause puckered skin (similar to an orange peel), yellowish or reddish discoloration, darkened skin, increased hair growth, sores that won’t heal, or rashes.
Tumors can protrude, leading to lumps you can see or feel when you press down on your skin.
Unusual bleeding in your stool or urine can be a sign of cancer. Unusual menstrual periods or bleeding after menopause must be reviewed with a doctor.
These symptoms can be early indications of lung, thyroid, or other cancers.
Different types of carcinomas are classified according to which kind of epithelial cell is first affected:
Treatment for carcinoma depends on the type of cancer, your medical condition, and other factors. Options include:
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