When a healthcare provider initially suspects cancer, usually some type of imaging study, whether it’s an x-ray or computed tomography, is performed. However, it is imperative to note that the tests typically show the presence, location, and abnormal mass presence but cannot confirm cancer as being the cause. Therefore, a biopsy is needed as a diagnostic method of obtaining a tissue sample through a needle or surgery and looking for cancer cells upon microscopic examination.

After cancer is diagnosed, staging tests are necessary to help to determine how extensive the disease is when it comes to its size, the growth into the nearby structures, location, as well as the spreading to other body parts. The choice of a staging test that is carried out depends on the type of cancer; for instance, a CT scan is used to detect cancer in such parts of the body as the abdomen, lungs, or liver, MRI is used to identify it in the bones, brain, and the spinal cord.

Stage 0 cancer means that there is no disease, only the presence of abnormal cells that have the potential to become cancer. At stage I, cancer is small and only located in one area, also referred to as early-stage cancer. Stages II and III imply a larger-sized tumor that has grown into the nearby tissues or lymph nodes, while stage IV means that the disease has spread to other parts of the body. Staging cancer is an essential component of the treatment process because the options and chances of recovery are usually associated with how early the disease is detected and addressed.

Cancer can cause substantial health complications depending on its type and severity. Pain is the first possible complication of cancer that may be caused either by the disease itself or its treatment, although not all cancers are painful. Fatigue is another complication, and in people with cancer, it can be managed when an appropriate method is chosen. Fatigue is often associated with chemotherapy and radiation therapy and is widely expected in patients, and is usually temporary.

Chemical changes in the body are the third possible complication of cancer because the disease can disrupt the healthy chemical balance and increase the risk for serious health complications. For instance, the signs of a chemical imbalance due to cancer, although not exclusive to the disease, include frequent urination, excessive thirst, constipation, and confusion. The fourth possible complication of cancer is concerned with the unusual immune system response to the disease. Referred to as a paraneoplastic syndrome, the reaction can lead to a wide range of signs and symptoms, such as difficulty walking or seizures.

When being treated, cancer can also lead to adverse complications and side effects. Side effects are health problems that take place when treatment affects healthy organs or tissues. For example, nausea and vomiting are the most common side effects that emerge during cancer treatments. Medicine, as well as holistic, is used to help control nausea and make patients feel better. Another side effect of treatment is problems with thinking and remembering. Often referred to as the chemo brain, it can be complicated for cancer patients to do their everyday jobs and tasks. The method of addressing the issue includes getting plenty of sleep, noting one’s daily tasks, and focusing on one activity at a time instead of trying to do several things (CDC, 2020).