WARNING SIGNALS OF CANCER

⮚ C - change in bowel bladder habits

⮚ A - a sore that does not heal
⮚ U - unusual bleeding or discharge
⮚ U - unexplained sudden weight loss
⮚ U - unexplained anemia
⮚ T - thickening or lump in the breast or elsewhere
⮚ I - indigestion or difficulty in swallowing
⮚ O - obvious change in wart or mole
⮚ N - nagging cough or hoarseness of voice

THE CANCER DETECTION EXAMINATIONS

⮚ Cytologic Examination or Papanicolaou test (Pap Smear)
✔ Class I - Normal
✔ Class II - Inflammation
✔ Class III - Mild to moderate dysplasia
✔ Class IV - Probably Malignant
✔ Class V - Malignant
⮚ Biopsy
⮚ Ultrasound
⮚ Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
⮚ Radiologic Exams (X-rays)
⮚ Radiodiagnostic Techniques (Use of Radioisotopes)
⮚ Computerized Axial Tomography (CT Scan)
⮚ Antigen Skin Test, Dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)
⮚ Laboratory tests
✔ Alpha - feto - protein
✔ Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG)
✔ Prostatic Acid Phosphatase
✔ Prostatic Specific Antigen (PSA)
✔ Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA)
⮚ Endoscopic Examinations
⮚ Monoclonal Antibodies

COMPARISON OF THE CHARACTERISTICS OF BENIGN AND

MALIGNANT NEOPLASM
Characteristics Benign Malignant
Speed of growth Grows slowly Grows rapidly
Mode of Growth Remains localized Infiltrates surrounding
tissues
Capsule Encapsulated Not encapsulated
Cell Characteristic Well differentiated mature Poorly differentiated
cells; cells function poorly (anaplastic type)
Recurrence Extremely unusual when Common following
surgically removed surgery
Metastasis Never occur Very common
Effect of Neoplasm Not harmful to host Always harmful
Prognosis Very good prognosis Poor prognosis