Understanding Different Types of Cancer Symptoms: From Blood to Skin with Insights from Oncologists in Shivamogga

December 1, 2025

Dr Guruchanna B
MS, MCh (TMH. Mumbai)., FMAS Consultant Surgical oncologist

What is Cancer?

Cancer is an umbrella term used for a set of diseases where our abnormal cells grow rapidly and quickly spread to other parts. This abnormal growth can form tumors, which can cause hindrance to our body’s normal functioning. It is one of the most menacing health conditions impacting millions of people worldwide.

There are various types of cancer, each unique in its symptoms and equally harmful as the other. Early detection of these cancer symptoms is the best way to prevent further harm and stay safe from cancer.  Individuals can take timely help from medical professionals and catch the disease when it’s most treatable- its early stages. Oncologists attribute successful treatment to awareness and education about the symptoms of cancer. 

Different Types of Cancer 

Let us go through some common types of cancer and their primary symptoms to understand them better.

Blood cancer

Leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma are the major types of blood cancers that hamper the production and function of our blood cells. Most of the symptoms of blood cancer are pretty subtle, and regular check-ups and personal vigilance is the sometimes the only way to detect it in its early stages.

The early stages of blood cancer often manifest first as fatigue and weakness. This kind of tiredness does not get better with rest; it occurs because your body is not making enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout the body.

Infections are more common because cancerous cells crowd out normal white blood cells, which then fight disease. Patients can have recurrent fevers, respiratory infections, or gum infections and ulcers that are slow to heal.

Lung Cancer

Lung Cancer is another major cancer type caused due to abnormal cell growth in the lung area, which can later spread to other parts of the body. As the cancer progresses, patients may find difficulty in breathing, walking, and even communicating freely. Smoking is one of the major causes of cancer. However, increasing pollution levels and some occupational hazards mean that even non-smokers can suffer from lung cancer.

A cough lasting for more than 3 weeks with increasing severity must never be ignored, as it is a primary symptom of lung cancer.  Another common symptom of lung cancer is the coughing up of blood. The blood may be bright coloured or rust coloured if mixed with mucus.

Breast Cancer

Lumps in the breast are the foremost indicator of breast cancer. However, there is much more to this disease than that. The lumps could be formed in the underarm areas as well. These are irregularly shaped, painless lumps that people often ignore.

Changes in breast size owing to swelling may also call for immediate examination. The changing colour of skin in the breast region due to redness or inflammation could also be a symptom of breast cancer.Breast cancer, like most other cancer types, could start with painless symptoms but could transform into a serious condition in no time.

Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is an extremely common kind of cancer and the most preventable and treatable one as well. Early diagnosis can help control the disease and bring back patient’s life back to normal.

Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are the two most common types of skin cancer. These are completely curable if detected early on. Melanoma, on the other hand, is another kind of cancer that could be tough to cure if it spreads all over.
Most of the skin cancers happen on skin areas that receive a lot of UV exposure through sunlight. The best way to counter this is by regulating our exposure to the sun and using sunscreen consistently.

Symptoms of Cancer

The following are some common symptoms and indicators of cancer:

Weariness

• A bulge or lump beneath the skin
• Weight fluctuations, including inadvertent gain or loss
• Change in skin colour, such as yellowing, darkening, or redness of the skin
  non-healing wounds, or modifications to moles that already exist.
• Breathing difficulties or a persistent cough
• Having trouble swallowing
• Persistent indigestion
  Persistent, inexplicable joint or muscular pain
• Night sweats or inexplicable fevers
• Unknown bleeding or bruises
  

Cancer Vaccines

The main function of Cancer vaccines is to deliver disease-associated proteins to train the immune system to recognize and attack the disease. Some of them include:

• HPV vaccines prevent cervical, anal, oral, throat, and genital cancers by blocking infection.
• Therapeutic cancer vaccines train the immune system to attack existing cancer cells by exposing it to proteins absent or minimal in normal cells
• Sipuleucel-T (Provenge), FDA-approved in 2010, treats prostate cancer using protein-based technology
• mRNA vaccines provide genetic instructions for cells to produce target proteins, enabling rapid, personalized production, with recent success in skin and pancreatic cancers

Cancer Treatment: The Importance of Regular Screening and Early Detection

Some of the finest Oncologists in Shivamogga at Nanjappa Hospitals state that regular screening for cancer is equally critical as being aware of the symptoms. A variety of cancers form without any pain or prominent concerns for the patients. To avoid major future complications, our oncologists in Shivamogga’s Nanjappa Hospital recommend mammograms for breast cancer, colonoscopies for colorectal cancer, pap tests for cervical cancer, and CT scans for lung cancer detection. 

Please consult the healthcare experts without any second thought in case you notice symptoms that are persistent or bothersome. At Nanjappa Hospitals, we have a team of the finest Oncologists in Shivamogga, along with state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment modalities aimed at offering all-rounded care in cancer. Remember, the best hope for successful treatment and recovery is early detection through awareness of symptoms and regular screening.