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ENGLISH
MSD Manual
Consumer Version
HEALTH TOPICS
HEALTHY LIVING
SYMPTOMS
EMERGENCIES
RESOURCES
COMMENTARY
ABOUT US
HEALTH TOPICS
HEALTHY LIVING
SYMPTOMS
EMERGENCIES
RESOURCES
COMMENTARY
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Quick Facts: Cancer
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Quick Facts: Cancer
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Overview of Cancer
Overview of Cancer
What is cancer?
Why does cancer kill you?
Where in your body can you get cancer?
What are the most common cancers?
Defenses Against Cancer
How does your body defend against cancer?
Why do the body’s defenses sometimes fail?
Development and Spread of Cancer
How does cancer start?
How does cancer spread?
Diagnosis of Cancer
How do doctors diagnose cancer?
What tests can screen for cancer?
What tests can diagnose cancer?
Staging tests
Paraneoplastic Syndromes
What is a paraneoplastic syndrome?
What are the symptoms of paraneoplastic syndromes?
General symptoms
Skin symptoms
Neurologic (brain, spinal cord, and nerve) symptoms
Endocrine (hormone system) symptoms
Other symptoms
Risk Factors for Cancer
What are genetic risk factors for cancer?
What are environmental risk factors for cancer?
What are other risk factors for cancer?
Symptoms of Cancer
What are the symptoms of cancer?
Pain
Bleeding and blood clots
Weight loss and feeling weak
Muscle and brain symptoms
Lung symptoms
Warning Signs of Cancer
What are the warning signs of cancer?
Prevention and Treatment of Cancer
Prevention of Cancer
What can I do to prevent cancer?
What other actions may help prevent cancer?
Cancer Treatment Principles
What are the goals of cancer treatment?
How do doctors choose the right treatment for your cancer?
How do doctors tell if the treatment is working?
Alternative Medicine for Cancer
What is alternative medicine?
What are the risks of using alternative medicine?
Chemotherapy
What is chemotherapy?
What are the common side effects of chemotherapy?
Diet and Cancer
Can your diet cause or prevent cancer?
Combination Cancer Therapy
What is combination cancer therapy?
Why do doctors use combination cancer therapy?
Immunotherapy for Cancer
What is immunotherapy for cancer?
How can doctors use immunotherapy to help you fight your cancer?
Radiation Therapy for Cancer
What is radiation therapy?
Types of radiation therapy
What are the side effects of radiation therapy?
Surgery for Cancer
When do doctors use surgery to treat cancer?
If I have surgery, do I need any other treatments?