25 Jul, 2025
25 Jul, 2025
This article is medically reviewed by Dr. Roshni Dasgupta, Consultant - Medical Oncology, HCG Cancer Centre, Bengaluru
Cancer becomes a chronic or life-threatening condition when not diagnosed and treated in the early stages. However, certain cancers cannot be detected in the early stages because either there are no early symptoms of cancer in the body, or they may be present and overlap with those of some non-cancerous conditions.
It is crucial for one to not ignore these symptoms and consult with a doctor to rule out serious underlying diseases.
Some cancers show symptoms in the early stages, which makes it easy for patients to seek timely medical attention. The following are some early symptoms of cancer that one must pay attention to:
Several conditions cause heavy night sweats or fevers in patients with cancer, usually in the early stages. These include underlying infections and hormonal changes due to certain cancers.
Patients with leukemia usually have high levels of inflammatory mediators that also contribute to heavy sweating and fever.
Certain cancers, such as leukemia, lymphoma, and carcinoid tumors, often present with heavy night sweats and fever.
Patients with cancer may also experience unexplained pain both in the early and advanced stages of the disease. Possible reasons for pain in cancer patients include inflammation and neurological disturbances.
Cancer cells induce the release of certain growth factors, such as interleukins, cytokines, and chemokines, which cause spinal cord hypersensitivity.
Pain may also result from the direct interaction of the tumor with the healthy tissues. The tumor exerts pressure on the surrounding organs and nerves, resulting in pain. Changes in the levels of certain neurotransmitters also contribute to cancer pain.
Feeling weak or tired, also known as persistent fatigue, without an obvious reason may also be one of the early symptoms of cancer.
Patients in the early stages of the disease have a reduced ability to perform physical activities. Cancer fatigue is multifactorial, and several hypotheses have been proposed to describe the pathophysiology of cancer-related fatigue.
Cancer cells preferentially take up glucose and other nutrients to support their high proliferation rate, depriving normal body cells of the same, which manifests as fatigue.
The body uses energy to fight against the cancer cells, leaving the patient tired.
In addition, comorbidities related to specific cancers, such as malnutrition, infection, hepatic and renal conditions, thyroid dysfunction, and anxiety and depression, cause cancer-related fatigue.
A new mole or changes in the shape, size, and appearance of an existing mole may be a sign of melanoma. This condition may include asymmetrical moles with irregular borders and multiple colors.
Although it may occur anywhere on the body, parts exposed to the sun are more commonly affected. Patients should not ignore the symptoms and should contact dermatologists for further examination.
Unexplained weight loss is one of the most common early symptoms of cancer, usually in cancers related to the esophagus, lungs, stomach, and pancreas.
It has also been reported that about 60% and 80% of patients with lung cancer and upper gastrointestinal cancer, respectively, have significant weight loss and poor appetite by the time the disease is diagnosed.
The causes of cancer-related weight loss include the body utilizing energy to fight cancer cells, altered metabolism, loss of appetite, and malnutrition.
Patients with cancer may also have unexplained bleeding or bruising as an early sign of cancer.
The bleeding may be caused by abnormal tumor vasculature, local tumor invasion, and coagulopathy.
The bleeding is presented in several forms in such patients, which include frequent or excessive gum bleeds or nosebleeds, vomiting blood, or blood in the urine or stool.
Healthy lymph nodes are small and usually not felt from the outside. They can swell due to various underlying conditions, such as inflammation, infection, or cancer.
Persistent swelling or lumps in any body part may indicate severe underlying conditions, including cancer.
Cancers arising in the abdominal and pelvic region often present with pain. Pain can be seen in both early and advanced stages. Often persistent, this pain may worsen over time.
This symptom is caused by GI cancers, such as stomach, colorectal, pancreatic, and liver cancers, and gynecological cancers, such as ovarian, uterine, and cervical cancers.
Cancers cause pain in the abdominal or pelvic regions for various reasons: pressure exerted by the tumor on nearby organs and surrounding tissue nerves; inflammation caused by the tumor; fluid build-up that occurs in advanced stages; or spreading of cancer to nearby organs.
Any sudden pain that is not related to menstruation or any known cause should be promptly examined.
Some abdominal cancers can also cause bloating. Bloating that is not related to menstrual cycles or food should be promptly evaluated to find out the underlying cause.
Some tumors disrupt the digestion process and cause fluid buildup, which can lead to bloating.
Patients with the cancers of the stomach, pancreas, liver, and ovaries often experience bloating as a cancer symptom.
Changes in bathroom habits are commonly observed in cancer patients, and they usually include changes in bowel movements (diarrhea and constipation), changes in the shape of the stool, changes in the stool color, changes in urination frequency, urinary urgency, and blood in the urine.
Various cancers can cause these symptoms, and possible reasons include tumor obstruction, the involvement of cancer with the nerves and muscles that control bowel movements and urination, and the metastatic spread of the disease.
Different cancers that cause changes in bathroom habits include colorectal cancer, bladder cancer, prostate cancer, and ovarian cancer.
Chronic or persistent coughing is a common symptom of lung cancer and throat cancer.
Possible reasons why these patients experience chronic cough include airway obstruction due to tumor growth, mucus production, and inflammation.
A persistent cough that does not go away, even with medication, should be checked by a specialist to determine the underlying cause.
Breast changes occur for various reasons, including the hormonal changes caused by menstrual cycles, infection, inflammation, and the presence of benign or malignant tumors.
Breast changes that may indicate the presence of breast cancer include the presence of a lump, changes in the appearance and texture of the breast, nipple changes, and unusual nipple discharge.
Patients with inflammatory breast cancer may not have any lumps, but rashes and redness of the skin may be observed.
A chronic or persistent headache could be a sign of a brain tumor.
Brain tumors cause chronic headaches for various reasons: as the tumor grows, the pressure builds within the skull and causes pain; the brain becomes inflamed in response to the presence of a tumor, and this causes pain; and the tumor presses on sensitive nerves and blood vessels, causing pain.
Persistent headaches, especially those that occur along with symptoms of nausea, visual disturbances, and fatigue, should be thoroughly examined.
Frequent fever and infections are common symptoms of different types of blood cancers, namely leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma.
These cancers cause frequent fevers and infections by interfering with the functioning of the immune system, the production of white blood cells in the bone marrow, and the production of compounds that trigger immune responses and cause inflammation.
Frequent infections and fevers should not be ignored, especially if they occur along with other symptoms of night sweats, fatigue, and unintentional weight loss.
Oral changes or symptoms could be indicative of oral cancer.
Common oral symptoms to be aware of include persistent mouth sores or ulcers, red or white patches in the oral cavity, the presence of a lump in the neck or throat region, pain or numbness in the cheek, difficulty swallowing or speaking, and loose teeth.
Regular self- and clinical oral exams play a significant role in the early detection of oral cancer for the effective management of this disease.
Skin changes are often seen in individuals suspected of having skin cancer. However, they are seen in patients with breast cancer and blood cancers as well.
Skin changes caused by skin cancer include the formation of new moles, changes in the existing moles, scaly lesions, skin irritation, itching, bleeding, wart-like growths, and the presence of a lump.
Skin changes associated with blood cancers include redness, bruising, and paleness. Skin changes caused by breast cancer include scaly skin, redness or bruising, dimpling, and puckering.
Persistent skin changes can be indicative of a serious condition, and therefore, a detailed evaluation should be considered.
Some cancers, especially gynecological cancers, can present with postmenopausal bleeding.
Postmenopausal bleeding is one of the early symptoms of endometrial cancer, so much so that about 90% of women diagnosed with endometrial cancer experience this symptom.
Some of the early warning signs of cancer in your body include:
Primary or metastatic lung cancer or cancers that develop in nearby structures can lead to breathing-related symptoms. Breathing difficulty is one of the early signs of lung cancer.
Some of the symptoms related to breathing in patients with cancer include shortness of breath, wheezing, chest pain while coughing or taking deep breaths, and hoarseness of voice.
Patients with leukemia and other cancers can experience anemia, which is also experienced as shortness of breath.
The symptoms that affect the mouth in patients with cancer are usually caused by primary oral cancer.
The symptoms of oral cancer that affect the mouth are persistent soreness or swelling on the lips, loosened teeth, difficulty swallowing, changes in speech, numbness or bleeding in the mouth, and red or white patches in the oral cavity.
Some cancers, such as lung, oral, laryngeal, tongue, and thyroid cancer, can cause voice changes. Hoarseness and wheezing are some of the common symptoms of throat cancer and other head and neck cancers.
Patients with brain tumors also have symptoms related to speech when the tumor affects the areas of the brain related to speech. The symptoms include difficulty speaking, slurred speech, or stuttering.
The symptoms of cancer affecting the skin are most commonly due to skin cancer. However, certain other cancers, such as liver cancer, may also cause easy bruising and itching on the skin.
Some skin cancer symptoms include bumps, new moles, changes in the existing moles, small lesions, painful lesions, difficult-to-heal sores, and red patches.
The symptoms of cancer affecting the breasts are most commonly caused by primary or metastatic breast cancer.
Some of the common breast cancer symptoms include swelling or lumps in the breast; changes in breast skin, such as redness or dimpling; changes in the shape and size of one or both breasts; nipple discharge; inverted nipple; and pain in the armpit or breasts.
The signs of cancer in the body in women depend on the type of cancer. However, certain cancers, such as ovarian and uterine cancer, are specific to women.
Some of the early signs of cancer in women that they should not ignore include bloating, changes in the breast, abnormal vaginal bleeding, vaginal discharge, and postmenopausal bleeding.
Symptoms of cancer in men are almost similar to those seen in women. However, they may vary for cancers that are only diagnosed in men.
Some of the early signs of cancer in men, especially for penile and prostate cancers, include erectile dysfunction, painful ejaculation, blood in the semen, a lump in the penis, penile soreness, changes in the penis color, pain, swelling, and tenderness in the testicles.
The common cancer signs non-specific to men and women are fatigue, unexplained weight loss, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, persistent coughing, difficulty swallowing, hoarseness, blood in the stool and urine, and changes in skin characteristics.
There are several advantages to the patients if the cancer is detected early. These include:
More Treatment Options: Patients with cancers diagnosed in the early stages have more treatment options than those diagnosed in the advanced stages.
Fewer Side Effects: Patients who are diagnosed with early-stage cancers require less aggressive treatment than those with advanced-stage cancers. Thus, the side effect profile for treatment is less severe.
Improved Survival: Studies reported that patients diagnosed in the early stages of cancer, when treated appropriately, have a higher survival rate compared to those with advanced stages. The survival probability reduces as the stage of cancer increases.
Enhanced Quality of Life: Early-stage cancers can be successfully treated with less aggressive treatments, and this results in fewer side effects and better survival rates, along with a better quality of life.
Low Financial Burden: As the disease progresses, newer and more expensive treatment options are required, which adds to the overall cost of care. Patients diagnosed with the early stages of cancer may be treated with conventional, less expensive treatment methods.
Patients, especially those with a history of cancer or who are at increased risk for cancer, should not ignore the early signs and symptoms of cancer, no matter how simple they seem.
Patients should book an appointment with the doctor if they experience early symptoms of cancer, such as unexplained fatigue, unexplained weight loss, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, shortness of breath, change in the skin, easy bruising and bleeding, blood in stools, urine, phlegm or per vaginum as contact bleeding or post-menopausal bleeding, swelling or lumps anywhere in the body.
HCG Cancer Centre is one of the leading hospitals for cancer treatment in India. With comprehensive cancer centers in different parts of the country that offer various facilities for diagnosing and treating all types of cancers.
The hospital also has experienced medical oncologists, surgical oncologists, radiologists, domain-specific physicians, and nutritionists to provide complete care to cancer patients. The facilities offered at the hospital are on par with international guidelines.
Early symptoms of cancer include unexplained weight loss, loss of appetite, weakness, fatigue, shortness of breath, abdominal pain, persistent cough, blood in the stools, fever, and night sweats.
Women-specific symptoms of cancer are abnormal bleeding, vaginal discharge, and breast changes. Men-specific symptoms include swelling and pain in the testicles, a lump on the penis, and blood in the semen.
The key to the timely treatment of different types of cancer lies in the detection of early-stage cancer symptoms and meeting with a specialist for a detailed evaluation.
Author Bio : Dr. Roshni Dasgupta
Consultant - Medical Oncology
MBBS, MD
(General Medicine), DM (Medical Oncology), MRCP UK, MRCP SCE in Medical Oncology, ESMO Certification
Dr. Roshni Dasgupta is a distinguished medical oncologist with over a decade of experience in managing a wide range of cancers through systemic therapies. She is available for consultations at HCG Cancer Centre, a well-known cancer hospital in Bengaluru. She has specialized experience in managing breast cancer, gynecological cancers, urothelial cancers, GI cancers, and other solid tumors and non-acute hematological cancers. Dr. Dasgupta’s care approach is personalized and patient-focused, and this plays a critical role in her patients receiving holistic care that is going to positively impact their survival and quality of life.
Appointment Link: Book an Appointment with Dr. Roshni Dasgupta.
