What Are the Different Neoplasm Symptoms?

Neoplasms can grow in any part of a person’s body, in plain sight or hidden from view, affecting that person’s health and bodily functions in various ways. The exact location and size of the neoplasm’s growth determines what symptoms a person suffers. Common neoplasm symptoms include visible growths, pain and flu-like symptoms. Some neoplasms do not produce symptoms and only are detected during regular physical check-ups.

General neoplasm symptoms might be mistaken for a viral infection, such as the flu. The growth may trigger an immune system response, causing the body to react with symptoms such as fever, fatigue and chills. Patients might also suffer from unexplained weight loss, night sweats or general pain and discomfort. Neoplasms growing on specific organs might interfere with the functions of the organ, such as lung neoplasms causing people to cough or regularly feel a shortness of breath.

Skin neoplasms involve their own set of symptoms, depending on the type of neoplasm the person has developed. Basal cell carcinoma manifests itself as a smooth and raised portion of the skin, which did not exist before. The skin often cracks apart, leading to bleeding. Squamous cell carcinoma develops on skin that has been exposed to sun, with the skin thickening and becoming red and scaly. Melanoma manifests on the skin as brown, black, pink or red wounds, or a mole that suddenly appears or begins growing.

Brain neoplasm symptoms manifest themselves in unique ways, which change depending on the size of the growth and its exact location in the brain. Patients commonly suffer with general symptoms such as unexplained vomiting, chronic headaches and insomnia. A person might also have one pupil that is constantly dilated more than the other, indicating a growth on the same side of the brain. More serious brain neoplasm symptoms include sudden personality changes, memory loss and the person suddenly becoming paralyzed on one side of the body. With children, a neoplasm can cause the skull to expand in size as the growth enlarges as well.

Neoplasm symptoms do not necessarily indicate that the growth is benign or malignant. A physician must take a biopsy or sampling of the neoplasm for testing to determine if it is cancerous or not. Obtaining a biopsy may be a simple in-patient procedure if the neoplasm is in an easily accessed area of the body, or it can involve surgery if the neoplasm is located on an internal organ.