When we talk about common tumors in medicine, it’s important to understand how these tumors show up and what they can tell doctors. Tumors, which can be non-cancerous (benign) or cancerous (malignant), can look and feel different depending on what type they are, where they are located, and who the patient is.

1. Symptoms

Tumors often come with a variety of symptoms:

• Local Symptoms: These depend on where the tumor is. For example:

  • A lung tumor might cause a long-lasting cough or even coughing up blood.
  • A brain tumor could lead to headaches and changes in how someone thinks or sees things.

• Systemic Symptoms: Many cancers can cause general symptoms that might not seem related, like:

  • Feeling very tired.
  • Losing weight without trying.
  • Running a fever.

  For example, lymphomas (a type of cancer) might cause fevers and sweating at night. When cancer is more advanced, it can lead to a serious condition where a person loses a lot of weight and muscle.

2. Signs

Doctors also look for physical signs that might reveal if someone has a tumor:

• Palpable Masses: Doctors may feel swollen lymph nodes in cases of lymphoma or solid lumps in the belly with some stomach tumors.
• Skin Changes: Melanomas, a type of skin cancer, may show changes in moles, like having uneven edges or different colors.

3. Diagnostic Imaging

Getting pictures of the inside of our bodies is very important for diagnosing tumors:

• X-rays: Often used to check for lung issues or bone tumors.
• CT and MRI Scans: These give clear pictures of soft tissues and are very useful for finding tumors in the belly, pelvis, and brain.
• Ultrasound: This is helpful in looking at lumps in the liver, kidneys, or soft tissue, especially in kids.

In short, noticing the signs of common tumors through symptoms, physical signs, and imaging helps doctors understand what’s happening and how it affects the patient’s health. All of these parts are important for getting a complete picture of tumor-related health.