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282804 tn?1236833591

What does cancer really do to us?

Dr Goodman,

We all know that chemo makes us sick and fatiqued.  However, what does the cancer itself do to our bodies and what affect does having cancer have on our general well being?  How much does it contribute to fatique, nausea, pain etc.  Aside from it forming tumors what does it do?  I am sure this sounds stupid, but no one on the forum seemed to know so I thought it was a legitmate question for the expert forum.   Even though I could ask my own onc there are a lot of us that want to know these things.

I don't ask questions, but I do read your wonderful contributions to the forum, so I will take this opportunity to thank you for all that you do for us.

I hope you and yours are well.

Kindest Regards,
Jan Hayes
3 Responses
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242604 tn?1328121225
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Dear Jan,
thank you so much for your question. All questions are good. Most do not have complete answers which reflects our struggles with trying to understand cancer and our ignorance.

Cancer does seem to affect the body more than just the physical effect of having a tumor in a certain location. Here is an incomplete list of effects that have been observed. I am sure that all of you who read this can add to it.

-fatigue
-lack of appetite
-nausea
-fevers
-muscle pain
-joint pains
-rash
-weight loss
-blood clots
-edema
-neurologic effects -problems with gait, coordination, mental focus

We do not know why some of these effects occur. Some we call a "para-neoplastic syndrome" .

best wishes
Helpful - 1
242604 tn?1328121225
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Yes, absolutely. Persistent, unexplained low grade fevers and  night sweats are seen in people experiencing cancer . (Also in chronic infections such as HIV, tuberculosis).
take care
Helpful - 0
282804 tn?1236833591
Dr Goodman,

So many of us have had low grade fevers for as much as a month and it seems to be about 6 months prior to diagnosis.  Gilda Radner talks about her fevers in her book.  In March of 06 I had a low grade fever for most of the month and was very fatiqued.  I of course did not go running to the Dr. because EVERYBODY had something that month that they couldn't shake so I thought it was just on more thing going around.  Since this seems to be present in so many woman why is it not listed as a possible symptom?  It is one of the few symptoms that is not vague and if it were on the list, I believe more women would go to a Dr sooner.  The other symptoms that have finally been approved as official symptoms are so vague you'd have to be a hypochondriac to go to the Dr over those.
Thank you
Jan
Helpful - 0

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