This section is from the book "Cancer Manual For Public Health Nurses", by National Cancer Institute. Also available from Amazon: Cancer Nursing: A Manual For Public Health Nurses.
LOCATION | NAME OR KIND | SYMPTOMS | COMMON SITES OF METASTASIS | COMPLICATIONS | ADDITIONAL INFORMATION |
ANUS | epidermoid | pruritus tenesmus pain | perirectal and inguinal lymph nodes | invasion of other organs as bladder, etc. | relatively uncommon higher in women |
BLADDER | transitional carcinoma squamous cell carcinoma (rare) | hematuria (persistent and repetitious) pain frequency nocturia incontinence passing of tumor fragments | may remain local lymph nodes liver lung bones skin (rare) | urinary infection and retention pyelonephritis pathological fractures fever weight loss | more common in older men may result from prolonged exposure to aniline dyes |
osteogenic sarcoma | rheumatism sprain arthritis | lungs widespread metastasis | pleural effusion pain - worse at night fractures | occurs more frequently in young men | |
BONE | Ewing's sarcoma multiple myeloma | pain swelling disability fever pain or pressure local pain resembling arthritis anemia | widespread metastasis other bones widespread to other bones, lymph nodes, spleen, and liver | regional adenopathy pathological fractures renal failure collapse of vertebrae | pain may be early symptom occurs predominantly in men over 40 |
LOCATION | NAME OR KIND | SYMPTOMS | COMMON SITES OF METASTASIS | COMPLICATIONS | ADDITIONAL INFORMATION |
BRAIN AND CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM | neuroblastoma astrocytoma ependymoma spongioblastoma | varied, depending on location headache dizziness visual disturbances nerve involvement sensory and motor changes vomiting | multiple sites | late: hemorrhage adenopathy bone pain paresthesia sensory and motor changes | difficult to differentiate symptoms and complications |
BREAST | adenocarcinoma | lump abnormal discharge from nipple dimpling pigskin appearance of skin retraction of nipple enlarged axillary nodes | axillary nodes lungs bones liver opposite breast skull | lymphedema pathological fractures cough | more common in: 1. single women 2. women without children 3. women with history of abnormal lactation |
CARTILAGE | chondrosarcoma | pain resembling rheumatism progressive weight loss | lungs | pathological fractures | contrary to usual - pain is an early symptom |
epidermoid (squamous cell carcinoma) | abnormal bleeding or discharge post coital bleeding | peritoneum regional metastases lung | painful urination constipation weight loss | more frequent in married women with children |
LOCATION | NAME OR KIND | SYMPTOMS | COMMON SITES OF METASTASIS | COMPLICATIONS | ADDITIONAL INFORMATION |
CERVIX | adenocarcinoma sarcoma | elongation of the menstrual period constipation yellow vaginal discharge backache nausea vomiting hemorrhage | bones brain liver | anemia toxemia peritonitis uremia | most common site of cancer of female reproductive organs |
COLON AND RECTUM | adenocarcinoma | bleeding flatus change in size, color of stools constipation diarrhea dyspepsia loss of appetite late: palpable mass pain weakness | mesentery retroperitoneal nodes liver lungs bones | obstruction hemorrhage dehydration malnutrition invasion of other organs | early symptoms - not dramatic and are often ignored hemorrhoids often coexist large percent are found in area of colon accessible to proctosigmoidoscopy |
ESOPHAGUS | squamous cell cancer adenocarcinoma | dysphagia sensation of pressure substernal distress sensation of fullness weight loss pain cough | anterior jugular chain mediastinum supraclavicular or subdiaphragmatic nodes liver bones kidneys | empyema malnutrition bronchopneumonia | in United States is predominant in males |
location | name or kind | symptoms | common sites of metastasis | complications | additional information |
eye (retina) | retinoblastoma | change in color of the pupil "cat's eye" appearance squint of the eye bulging eye stumbling or holding head to one side (due to interference in vision) | bones lymph nodes liver brain | blindness extreme pain | predominantly in young children less than 4 years probably congenital and probably hereditary |
kidney | adenocarcinoma | hematuria pain mass | lungs bone regional lymph nodes liver viscera brain | pyelonephritis uremia anemia cough pleural pain | more frequent in men |
Wilms' tumor (embryonal mixed tumor) | weight loss abdominal mass (most common) swelling of flank or abdomen anorexia abdominal discomfort fever hematuria pyrexia hypertension dysuria | lung bones brain ureters heart nodes | pathological fractures malnutrition anemia asthenia cough pleural pain | insidious onset painless usually large when discovered most common in children under 5 considered congenital |
LOCATION | NAME OR KIND | SYMPTOMS | COMMON SITES OF METASTASIS | COMPLICATIONS | ADDITIONAL INFORMATION |
LARYNX | squamous cell carcinoma | hoarseness difficulty in swallowing cough pain in ear local pain in side of neck malodorous breath | cervical adenopathy lung liver bone | loss of voice malnutrition aspiration pneumonia | predominant in males |
LIP | squamous cell carcinoma | superficial ulceration blister scabby lesion which does not heal | cervical region periauricular nodes of parotid submental or submaxillary nodes | edema dysphagia malnutrition | upper lip more common in women and more rapid growing than cancer of lower lip lower lip is more common form of oral cancer may be associated with leukoplakia |
LIVER | hepatoma cholangioma | nausea vomiting fullness in abdomen pressure in epigastrium constipation pain - dull ache enlargement of liver anemia weight loss | lungs stomach regional lymph nodes | ascites edema esophageal varices | primary cancer of the liver is rare in the United States more common in men than in women |
LOCATION | NAME OR KIND | SYMPTOMS | COMMON SITES OF METASTASIS | COMPLICATIONS | ADDITIONAL INFORMATION |
LUNGS | squamous cell carcinoma adenocarcinoma undifferentiated | irritative cough sometimes nocturnal mucoid expectoration hemoptysis wheeze pain of constrictive nature loss of weight | mediastinal nodes pleura axillary nodes pericardiac nodes kidneys aorta brain bone adrenals cerebrum | obstructive pneumonitis empyema anemia pulmonary insufficiency respiratory failure | more common in males over 45 years of age more common in heavy cigarette smokers |
Hodgkin's Disease and lymphosarcoma | painless enlargement of lymph nodes (often cervical) rapidly progressing anemia (few cases) lassitude fever lumbar pain edema and pain of lower extermities enlargement of spleen pruritus (Hodgkin's) | general dissemination bones ribs sternum | collapse of bone structure depends on areas of metastasis | Hodgkin's Disease more common in males may occur in children as well as adults lymphosarcoma occurs in both children and elderly | |
LYMPHOMAS and LEUKEMIAS | respiratory infection fever tonsillitis secondary infections stomatitis anemia pain in bones - joints prostration | generalized infiltration of body organs | pneumonia circulatory collapse infection hemorrhage | common in children |
LOCATION | NAME OR KIND | SYMPTOMS | COMMON SITES OF METASTASIS | COMPLICATIONS | ADDITIONAL INFORMATION |
hemorrhage enlargement of spleen and liver | |||||
enlarged cervical lymph nodes enlarged spleen petichiae tenderness of sternum anemia tachycardia weight loss intolerance to heat perspiration dyspnea on exertion weakness pallor | generalized infiltration of body organs nervous system kidney lungs | eye hemorrhages infarction of spleen acute abdominal conditions gastrointestinal hemorrhage secondary infections pneumonia cough easy fatigue diarrhea nausea vomiting heart failure | insidious onset | ||
ORAL CAVITY | squamous cell cancer melanoma (rare) sarcoma (rare) | pain ulceration growth pain in ear bleeding adenopathy trismus speech impairment | submaxillary and cervical nodes nodes around jugular vein bone | inability to chew hemorrhage malnutrition bronchopneumonia secondary infection | more common in older males tobacco may predispose |
LOCATION | NAME OR KIND | SYMPTOMS | COMMON SITES OF METASTASIS | COMPLICATIONS | ADDITIONAL INFORMATION |
OVARY | adenocarcinoma fibroma undifferentiated | asymptomatic in early stages enlargement of abdomen pressure - backache low abdominal pain gastrointestinal complaints weight loss | lungs liver regional nodes peritoneum peritoneal cavity | ascites dysuria constipation | these grow insidiously and often are not diagnosed at an early stage |
PENIS | squamous cell carcinoma | external ulcer small nodule warty growth, often painless bleeding infection odor edema of glans | abdominal nodes liver lungs | cough infected nodes hemorrhage bronchopneumonia | higher in foreign born males usually associated with phimosis |
PROSTATE | adenocarcinoma sarcoma (rare) | frequency of urination painful urination hematuria urinary retention pain suggestive of arthritis or sciatica | lower lumbar spine pelvic bone upper femur perineural invasion of lymphatics lungs | pathological fractures bladder obstruction rectal occlusion edema of legs | important in aging male population |
basal cell carcinoma | pearly or crusty appearance well circumscribed ulceration may or may not develop in a preexisting area of hyperkeratosis | almost never metastasize but burrow deeply and invade tissues | destruction of underlying and surrounding tissue and structures | common sites: nose, eyelids, skin of upper and lower lip and chin |
LOCATION | NAME OR KIND | SYMPTOMS | COMMON SITES OF METASTASIS | COMPLICATIONS | ADDITIONAL INFORMATION |
SKIN | squamous cell carcinoma | wart like appearance failure to heal when surface is removed ulceration | fascia muscle cartilage bone lymph nodes (rare) | infection pain hemorrhage | common on hands, ears, temples arises most often in preexisting areas of hyperkeratosis |
malignant melanoma or melanocar-cinoma | change in size of wart or mole bleeding increased pigmentation | highly malignant any organ may be invaded including spleen and heart | depend on area of metastasis | frequently arise in benign nevi may be nonpigmented prognosis poor | |
SMALL INTESTINE | adenocarcinoma carcinoid leiomyosarcoma lymphosarcoma | cramping abdominal pain bleeding obstruction nausea vomiting diarrhea weight loss | regional lymph nodes liver lungs peritoneum bones | pneumonia peritonitis ascites uremia hemorrhage starvation | this is a rare tumor |
STOMACH | adenocarcinoma lymphosarcoma leiomyosarcoma | persistent chronic indigestion vague epigastric distress nausea hematemesis anemia belching pain distaste for food particularly meat weight loss fatigue | muscular layers of the stomach liver regional lymph nodes | pyloric obstruction vomiting hemorrhage ascites cachexia starvation | more common in men than in women |
LOCATION | NAME OR KIND | SYMPTOMS | COMMON SITES OF METASTASIS | COMPLICATIONS | ADDITIONAL INFORMATION |
TESTES | teratoma choriocarcinoma seminoma | painless swelling of testes in choriocarcinoma may have gynecomastia lumbar pain (late) | lungs bladder liver lymph nodes | cough urinary retention dysuria anorexia vomiting | disease of young men insidious onset then rapid growth |
THYROID | adenocarcinoma sarcoma (rare) squamous cell carcinoma (rare) undifferentiated | hemoptysis sensation of fullness in neck dysphasia cervical adenopathy | cervical lymph nodes mediastinal nodes lungs bones liver kidney brain tends to metastasize slowly | pressure on larynx laryngeal paralysis dysphagia spontaneous fractures | predominates in women 40-70 also found in children under 10 are slow growing |
TONGUE | squamous cell carcinoma | growth slight local pain glossitis hypersalivation dysphagia earache stomatitis | submaxillary or jugular nodes adenopathy of subgastric group | hemorrhage aspiration pneumonia intense pain starvation | predominantly found in males often coexists with syphilitic gumma |
LOCATION | NAME OR KIND | SYMPTOMS | COMMON SITES OF METASTASIS | COMPLICATIONS | ADDITIONAL INFORMATION |
UTERUS (ENDOMETRIUM) | adenocarcinoma sarcoma | intermenstrual bleeding postmenopausal bleeding foul watery discharge pain urinary symptoms | external iliac, para-ortic, and inguinal nodes vagina vulva liver lungs brain bones | constipation anemia | most common after menopause and in women who have borne no children |
VAGINA | epidermoid (squamous cell) | bloody discharge bleeding odor pain dispareunia | external iliac, and hypogastric nodes inguinal nodes | urinary frequency painful defecation dysuria uremia | occurs in older age group very rare |
VULVA | epidermoid (squamous cell) | pruritus ulceration and pain bleeding painful coitus | inguinal, hypogastric, retroperitoneal nodes liver lungs | cellulitis phlebitis | leukoplakia may be a precursor common in older women |
 
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