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Tumor

Alternative Names:
Mass; Neoplasm

Symptoms:

Symptoms depend on the type and location of the tumor. For example, lung tumors can cause coughing, shortness of breath, or chest pain while tumors of the colon can cause weight loss, diarrhea, constipation and blood in the stool. Some tumors produce no symptoms, but symptoms that often accompany tumors include:

  • fevers
  • chills
  • night sweats
  • weight loss
  • loss of appetite
  • fatigue
  • malaise


Signs and tests:

Like the symptoms, the signs of tumors vary based on their site and type. When a tumor is found, a biopsy is performed to determine if the tumor is benign or malignant. Depending on the location of the tumor, the biopsy may be a simple procedure or a serious operation. Most patients with tumors undergo CT scans or MRI to determine the exact location of the tumor and its extent. More recently, positron emission tomography (PET) scans have been used to visualize tumors.

Common tests to most patients with tumors include:



Review Date: 11/7/2002
Reviewed By: Ezra E. W. Cohen, M.D., Department of Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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