Cancer can cause many symptoms. These symptoms may be categorised as under:
· Common to any cancer
· Others that depend upon the site of cancer, and
· The type of cancer. Some symptoms are caused by the treatment by means of chemotherapy and radiation.
Loss of Appetite and Weight
Loss of appetite and weight are the commonest symptoms of cancer. These may be due to:
· Poor appetite, so that there is less intake of food.
· Cancer tissue burns excessive energy of the body.
· Vomiting and diarrhoea allow less food to be absorbed.
In order to increase the appetite more appetising food may be given. Appetizers like mild alcoholic drinks may be considered. Sometimes steroids prove helpful, where other measures have failed.
Nausea and Vomiting
These are common symptoms after chemotherapy or radiation. When severe, they may be difficult to tolerate even by a well-informed patient. Anti-vomiting (anti-emetic) tablets are suggested for mild or moderate cases. These include Largactil tablets (Chlorpromazine) Stemetil (Prochlorperazine).
Diarrhoea
This is more often the effect of the chemotherapy treatment, but sometimes may be due to cancer itself. Anti-diarrhoeal drugs like Codeine Phosphate 1 to 2 tablets three times daily, and Lomotil, two tablets three times a day, are helpful.
Constipation
This may be due to diminished appetite or loss of appetite, inactivity, change in diet, or even due to pain-relieving drugs. Stool softeners such as liquid Paraffin, are helpful.
Lack of Sleep (Insomnia)
Many of the symptoms of cancer or the depression and anxiety associated with it, can make the patient lose sleep. Appropriate treatment of the symptoms, may provide the patient, the much needed relief. Sedatives and hypnotics like Diazepam can be helpful. Depression can be helped by tricyclic drugs like Depsol, Depsonil.
Pain
Pain is not an invariable symptom associated with cancer. As many as half the cancers in even an advanced stage, do not cause pain. But where it is present, it may be continuous and gradually increase in intensity and may be difficult to bear.
A pain-relieving drug is needed to be taken regularly so that the pain is kept at bay. The choice of the drug depends upon the severity of the pain. This topic is discussed in detail in a subsequent chapter.
Shortness of Breath
Shortness of breath, often with cough, is not uncommon in advanced cancer. The commonest causes are:
· Cancer in the lung.
· Collection of fluid in the pleural cavity around the lung.
· Scarring and fibrosis of the lungs. Infection in the lung, such as pneumonia in a case of lung cancer.
· Treatment depends upon the cause. Cancer will need either surgery, radiation or chemotherapy.