Cancers found in asymptomatic patients, diagnosed during routine investigations

By Dr Indoo Ambulkar

Senior Medical Oncologist at HCG Cancer Centre, Mumbai 

Pune, 28th June 2022:

Generally, a patient is called asymptomatic, if the patient is a carrier of an illness yet shows no signs or symptoms of it at all. Asymptomatic cancer patients do not display any form of symptoms as the tumours present inside the body and are in the early stage.

Although certain cancers might go unnoticed for a longer period, almost all cancer have minimal or no symptoms in the early stages.

There are also some forms of cancer that are asymptomatic, (specially in early stage) such as

• Kidney Cancer-Sometimes diagnosed by routine ultrasonography of abdomen and pelvis.
• Lung cancer – The tumour can be small in nature and therefore it doesn’t display any symptoms. The tumour is visible during routine investigations, such as the x-rays and thus cannot be ignored.
• Stomach cancer – This form of cancer displays very less symptoms. It occurs due to the consistent consumption of antacids /H2 blockers causes achlorhydria (suppression of the secretion in the stomach. This may cause stomach cancer which does not show any symptom in the body.
• Liver cancer-Some Hepatitis B patients are prone to develop liver cancer

Role of screening is crucial element in diagnosing cancer at an early stage. Certain tests help asymptomatic patients find specific types of cancer before signs or symptoms appear. When cancer is found early stage, it may be easier to treat or cure. But if one waits for the symptoms to appear, the cancer may have grown and spread, creating hazardous health complications.

Cancer can be developed due to multiple reasons particularly unhealthy habits, such as tobacco consumption, smoking, alcohol consumption etc. There are other possible causes including genetic mutation that has been inherited from their family. It is important to understand that cancer can be transmitted by genetics as well and if there is any familial history of cancer, it is advised for the entire family to undergo cancer screening on regular basis.

Family history of cancer becomes very important. Patients suffering from breast, ovarian, prostate, uterine, colon cancer etc. requires regular screening of first and second degree relatives of the patient. Genetic tests are also available which are advised to be conducted in patient first and if it turns up to be positive then the same test is advised to be conducted in the family members.

Some of the popular cancer screening methods are as follows:

• Breast cancer – Mammography can be conducted to diagnose cancer and this can be undertaken by women after the age of 40
• Cervical Cancer – Pap smear or cervical cytology is advised in premenopausal females who are sexually active
• Colon Cancer – Stool for occult blood tests after the age of 50, can help detect colon cancer in the early stage.
• Prostate Cancer – Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Test can be conducted for prostate cancer in males of age between 40 – 50 years.
• Lung Cancer – Low dose CT-scan of chest that is advised in heavy smokers who have been smoking for more than 10 -15 years.
• Examination of oral cavity includes the examination of cheek, tongue, floor of mouth, palate and neck. Chronic tobacco chewers(smokeless tobacco) should go for regular screening of oral cavity.