Cancer Library

Clitoromegaly is an abnormally large clitoris. It can be present at birth (congenital) or develop later in life. Most often, exposure to androgens (a hormone in people designated male) causes this in people designated female at birth.

Lung cancer is the third most common cancer in the U.S. It’s caused by harmful cells in your lungs growing unchecked. Treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation and targeted drugs. Screening is recommended if you’re at high risk. Advances in treatments have caused a significant decline in lung cancer deaths in recent years.

Eye floaters happen when your vitreous humor (fluid) changes its thickness. This causes you to see squiggly lines or threads. Floaters usually happen as we get older and may not need treatment. If you have a sudden onset of many floaters, see your eye care provider.

Elbow pain has many common causes, including inflammation and injuries to your elbow joint and its surrounding soft tissues, like the ligaments and tendons. You can usually treat elbow pain at home with some simple TLC. If your pain persists, it’s best to see a healthcare provider to rule out a more serious health condition.

Groin pain is a symptom of a wide range of injuries and medical conditions, including pulled groin muscles and hernias. Groin pain can feel different depending on the cause. It can feel like a sharp pain or a dull ache, and it may get worse with certain movements. A healthcare provider can diagnose the cause and recommend suitable treatment.

Foot pain can occur anywhere in your foot, including your heel, arch and toes. It’s usually a symptom of an injury or an underlying health condition. Identifying the cause can help you get the right treatment.

Ear bleeding is a symptom of many different health conditions, including infection and trauma. Treatment for bleeding ears depends on the underlying cause. If you’re bleeding from your ears following a blow to the head, call 911 or head to your nearest emergency room.

Dizziness is a common issue. If you have dizziness, you may feel woozy and disoriented. You may feel as if you’re about to lose your balance. Many things may make you dizzy, such as anxiety or a reaction to medication. But dizziness may be a symptom of an underlying medical issue. Talk to your healthcare provider if you’re having frequent or serious dizzy spells.

Dry mouth (xerostomia) is a lack of saliva in your mouth. It can be a symptom of high blood sugar in people with diabetes or another health issue. It can cause serious health issues such as gum disease and mouth infections. People with diabetes should have regular dental checkups and make lifestyle changes to maintain oral health and prevent dry mouth.

Brain lesions are areas of brain tissue that show damage from injury or disease. The most common way to detect brain lesions is with diagnostic imaging scans. Depending on the cause, some types of brain lesions will heal on their own or are treatable. However, some brain lesions are permanent or happen for reasons that can’t be treated or cured.

Don’t ignore bone pain. Some causes are easy to understand — like breaking a bone in a car accident. But many serious causes of bone pain aren’t as obvious. Visit a healthcare provider as soon as you notice pain that gets worse or doesn’t go away in a few days.

Build up of dental plaque causes bleeding gums, a common symptom of gingivitis, periodontitis and other forms of gums disease. But bleeding from your gums can also indicate other issues like teeth grinding, diabetes, hormone fluctuations and vitamin deficiencies.

A distended abdomen is abnormally swollen outward. You can see and measure the difference, and sometimes you can feel it. A distended abdomen can be due to bloating from gas, or it can be due to accumulated fluid, tissue, or digestive contents. It can be chronic or acute.

Atypical chest pain is a kind of chest pain that’s not typical or classic. Because there are many causes of atypical chest pain, treatments vary widely. You should always contact a healthcare provider about atypical chest pain. They can tell you what’s causing it and give you the care you need.

Abdominal pain has many causes, some more serious than others. What feels like a stomachache may be coming from another organ in your abdomen, or from outside of your digestive system. Always seek medical care if your abdominal pain is unexplained, persistent or severe.

Facial paralysis is the inability to move the muscles on one or both sides of your face due to nerve damage. Possible causes include inflammation, trauma, stroke or tumors. Treatment depends on the underlying condition that led to paralysis. Facial paralysis may be temporary or permanent.

A fever is when your body temperature is higher than your normal average temp. Most providers say a fever is either 100.0 F (37.8 C) or 100.4 F (38 C). When you have a fever, it’s your body’s normal response to fighting an infection or illness. Fevers usually aren’t a serious concern. They typically go away when the infection passes.

Kidney pain is felt in your sides, back, belly or groin. It’s often mistaken for back pain. Kidney pain can be caused by kidney stones, kidney infection, an injury or kidney cancer. Kidney pain treatment depends on the underlying cause.

Knee pain is an extremely common symptom that can result from everything from a temporary injury to a chronic condition like arthritis. You can usually treat knee pain at home with rest and over-the-counter medicine. Visit a healthcare provider if you’ve experienced an injury or have knee pain for more than a few days in a row.

If your left arm is numb, you can’t feel anything, except maybe tingling. You may also have arm weakness. Many things can cause numbness in the arm, from sleeping on it wrong to having a heart attack. Treatment varies widely depending on the cause. Seek immediate medical attention if you have numbness plus any other serious symptoms.