Cancer Symptoms — Early Warning Signs

Know what to watch for. Act before it spreads.

क्यान्सरका लक्षणहरू चिन्नुहोस् — समयमै पत्ता लगाएमा ज्यान बच्छ

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40,000+ New Cancer Patients
in Nepal yearly
8,000+ patients
treated at KCC

Important: Cancer symptoms vary by cancer type. Most symptoms listed here can also be caused by non-cancerous conditions — only a doctor can determine the cause. If any symptom persists for more than 2–3 weeks, do not wait. Get evaluated.

महत्त्वपूर्ण: यहाँ उल्लिखित लक्षणहरू क्यान्सरबाहेक अन्य कारणले पनि हुन सक्छन्। तर कुनै पनि लक्षण २–३ हप्तासम्म रहे, तुरुन्त डाक्टरसँग जाँच गराउनुहोस्।

Universal Warning Signs / सामान्य चेतावनी लक्षणहरू

These appear across many cancer types — watch for them regardless of cancer site

⚖️
Unexplained weight loss कारण नखुलेको वजन घट्नु
🔴
Abnormal bleeding असामान्य रक्तस्राव
🤚
New lump or swelling नयाँ गाँठो वा सुन्निनु
🤢
Loss of appetite भोक नलाग्नु
😴
Extreme fatigue अत्यधिक थकान
🩹
Sore that won't heal निको नहुने घाऊ
🔄
Change in mole or skin छालामा परिवर्तन
🌡️
Persistent fever लामो ज्वरो
By Cancer Type

Symptoms by Cancer Type / प्रकारअनुसार लक्षणहरू

Nepal's most common cancers — each with distinct warning signs in English and Nepali

🎗️

Breast Cancer

स्तन क्यान्सरका लक्षणहरू
  • New lump in breast or armpit
  • Change in breast shape, size or skin texture
  • Nipple discharge (non-milk)
  • Dimpling or redness of skin over the breast
  • Persistent breast pain or heaviness
  • Inverted or retracted nipple
नेपालीमा
  • स्तन वा काखीमा नयाँ गाँठो
  • स्तनको आकार वा छालामा परिवर्तन
  • निप्पलबाट दूध बाहेक स्राव
  • छालामा डिम्पल वा रातोपन
  • निप्पल भित्र पस्नु
Breast Cancer Treatment →
🔬

Cervical Cancer

पाठेघरको / गर्भाशयको क्यान्सरका लक्षण
  • Vaginal bleeding after sex
  • Bleeding between periods or after menopause
  • Unusual vaginal discharge (watery, bloody, foul-smelling)
  • Pelvic pain or lower back pain
  • Pain during intercourse
  • Note: Early cervical cancer often has no symptoms — Pap smear detects it
नेपालीमा
  • सम्भोग पछि योनिबाट रक्तस्राव
  • महिनावारी बीचमा वा रजोनिवृत्ति पछि रक्तस्राव
  • असामान्य योनि स्राव
  • तल्लो पेट वा ढाड दुख्नु
  • प्रारम्भिक अवस्थामा लक्षण नदेखिन सक्छ — प्याप स्मियरले पत्ता लगाउँछ
Cervical Cancer Treatment →
🫁

Lung Cancer

फोक्सोको क्यान्सरका लक्षण
  • Persistent cough lasting more than 3 weeks
  • Coughing up blood or blood-stained sputum
  • Chest pain that worsens with breathing
  • Shortness of breath
  • Hoarseness or change in voice
  • Unexplained weight loss and fatigue
  • Repeated chest infections
नेपालीमा
  • ३ हप्ताभन्दा बढी खोकी
  • रगत आउने खोकी वा रगत मिसिएको कफ
  • सास फेर्दा छाती दुख्नु
  • सास फेर्न गाह्रो
  • आवाज बस्नु वा परिवर्तन
Lung Cancer Treatment →
🗣️

Throat & Head/Neck Cancer

घाँटी / टाउको र घाँटीको क्यान्सरका लक्षण
  • Persistent sore throat that does not heal
  • Hoarseness or change in voice lasting >2 weeks
  • Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
  • Lump in the neck
  • Ear pain (referred from throat)
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Mouth ulcer that doesn't heal in 3 weeks
नेपालीमा
  • निको नहुने घाँटी दुख्नु
  • आवाज बस्नु वा बदलिनु
  • निल्न गाह्रो हुनु
  • घाँटीमा गाँठो
  • कान दुख्नु (घाँटीसँग सम्बन्धित)
Head & Neck Cancer Treatment →
🫃

Stomach / Gastric Cancer

पेटको क्यान्सरका लक्षण
  • Persistent indigestion or heartburn
  • Feeling full after eating small amounts
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Blood in vomit or black tarry stools
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Stomach pain or discomfort
  • Swelling in abdomen
नेपालीमा
  • लामो समयदेखि अपच वा जलन
  • थोरै खाँदा पनि पेट भरिएको महसुस
  • वाकवाकी वा बान्ता
  • बान्तामा रगत वा कालो दिसा
  • पेट दुख्नु वा सुन्निनु
Stomach Cancer Treatment →
🩸

Blood Cancer

रगतको क्यान्सरका लक्षण (लिउकेमिया, लिम्फोमा, मायलोमा)
  • Extreme fatigue and weakness
  • Frequent infections or fevers
  • Easy bruising or bleeding
  • Swollen lymph nodes (neck, armpit, groin)
  • Bone pain or tenderness
  • Night sweats
  • Pale skin (anaemia)
नेपालीमा
  • अत्यधिक थकान र कमजोरी
  • बारम्बार संक्रमण वा ज्वरो
  • सजिलै चोट लाग्नु वा रक्तस्राव
  • घाँटी, काखी वा काँखमा गाँठो सुन्निनु
  • हड्डी दुख्नु, रात पसिना आउनु
Blood Cancer Treatment →
👄

Oral / Mouth Cancer

मुखको क्यान्सरका लक्षण
  • Mouth ulcer that does not heal in 3 weeks
  • Red or white patch inside the mouth
  • Lump or thickening in cheek, tongue or lip
  • Persistent mouth pain or numbness
  • Difficulty chewing, swallowing or moving jaw
  • Loose teeth without dental cause
नेपालीमा
  • ३ हप्तामा निको नहुने मुखको घाऊ
  • मुख भित्र रातो वा सेतो दाग
  • गाल, जिब्रो वा ओठमा गाँठो
  • मुख सुन्निनु वा दुख्नु
  • चपाउन वा निल्न गाह्रो हुनु
Oral/Head Cancer Treatment →
🔴

Colon & Rectal Cancer

ठूलो आन्द्राको क्यान्सरका लक्षण
  • Blood in stool or black tarry stools
  • Persistent change in bowel habits (diarrhoea or constipation)
  • Feeling of incomplete bowel emptying
  • Unexplained abdominal pain or cramping
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Anaemia with no known cause
नेपालीमा
  • दिसामा रगत वा कालो दिसा
  • दिसाको बानीमा परिवर्तन
  • दिसा पूरा नभएको अनुभूति
  • पेट दुख्नु वा मरोड
  • कारण नखुलेको एनिमिया
Colorectal Cancer Treatment →

When Should You See a Doctor? / डाक्टरकहाँ कहिले जाने?

1

Any symptom lasting more than 2–3 weeks

कुनै पनि लक्षण २–३ हप्ताभन्दा बढी रहे
2

Unexplained weight loss of >5 kg in a few months

केही महिनामा ५ केजी भन्दा बढी वजन घट्नु
3

Any new lump in the body — especially if painless

शरीरमा कुनै पनि नयाँ गाँठो — विशेषतः पीडारहित
4

Unexpected bleeding from any body part

शरीरको कुनै पनि भागबाट अकारण रक्तस्राव
5

A family history of cancer + any new symptom

परिवारमा क्यान्सरको इतिहास भए कुनै पनि नयाँ लक्षण
6

Sore or ulcer that doesn't heal in 3 weeks

३ हप्तामा निको नहुने घाऊ
FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about cancer symptoms in Nepal — answered by KCC's specialist team

Are all cancer symptoms painful? ▾
No. Many early-stage cancers cause no pain at all. A painless lump, unexpected bleeding, or gradual weight loss can be the only signal. This is why waiting for pain before seeking help is dangerous — pain is often a late-stage symptom. धेरै क्यान्सरका सुरुआती अवस्थामा दुखाइ हुँदैन। पीडारहित गाँठो, रक्तस्राव वा वजन घट्नु मात्रै लक्षण हुन सक्छ। त्यसैले दुखाइको प्रतीक्षा नगरी तुरुन्त जाँच गराउनुहोस्।
Can cancer symptoms appear without any risk factors? ▾
Yes. While risk factors like smoking, family history, or HPV infection increase risk, cancer can occur in people with no known risk factors. Anyone of any age can develop cancer. Symptoms should always be investigated regardless of your lifestyle or history. हो। धुम्रपान नगर्ने, परिवारमा इतिहास नभएका व्यक्तिलाई पनि क्यान्सर हुन सक्छ। जोखिम कारक नभएपनि लक्षण देखिए जाँच गराउनुहोस्।
क्यान्सर र सामान्य रोगका लक्षणहरूमा के फरक छ? (How to tell cancer symptoms from normal illness?) ▾
The key difference is persistence and progression. A normal cough or infection improves within days to 2 weeks. Cancer-related symptoms persist or worsen over 2–3+ weeks despite treatment. Unexplained weight loss, a growing lump, or blood that doesn't have an obvious cause are red flags requiring specialist evaluation. सामान्य रोगका लक्षणहरू केही दिनमा सुधार हुन्छन्। तर क्यान्सरका लक्षणहरू २–३ हप्तासम्म रहन्छन् वा बढ्दै जान्छन्। कारण नखुलेको वजन घट्नु, बढ्दो गाँठो वा रगत आउनु — यी सबैको जाँच गराउनुपर्छ।
What is the first step if I notice a cancer symptom? ▾
Don't search the internet for a diagnosis — come to an oncologist. At KCC, our specialists take a thorough history and examine you. If needed, targeted investigations (blood tests, ultrasound, biopsy) are arranged promptly. Early confirmation is better than months of anxiety. इन्टरनेटमा खोज्नुभन्दा ओन्कोलोजिस्टकहाँ जानुहोस्। KCC मा हाम्रा विशेषज्ञले इतिहास लिएर जाँच गर्छन् र आवश्यकताअनुसार बायोप्सी वा परीक्षण गर्छन्।
Is cancer treatment available in Nepal or do I need to go to India? ▾
Most cancer treatments — surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy (IMRT/IGRT/VMAT), brachytherapy, immunotherapy, and even HIPEC — are available at Kathmandu Cancer Center. Our doctors trained at Tata Memorial Mumbai, AIIMS Delhi and PGIMER Chandigarh, and bring the same protocols to Nepal. Read our full comparison: Cancer treatment Nepal vs India → अधिकांश क्यान्सर उपचार — शल्यक्रिया, कीमोथेरापी, रेडियोथेरापी, इम्युनोथेरापी — KCC मा उपलब्ध छ। भारत जानु नपर्ने कारण बुझ्न: नेपाल बनाम भारत तुलना →
Next Steps

From Symptom to Action

Get Screened — Detect Before Symptoms

Many cancers are detectable before any symptoms appear. KCC offers structured screening for breast, cervical, colorectal, and other cancers.

Learn About Treatment Options

If you or a family member has a confirmed diagnosis, KCC's specialists treat all major cancers using the same protocols as India's leading hospitals.

Noticed a symptom? Don't wait.

Our consultants are available six days a week. WhatsApp or call — same-day advice available.

लक्षण देखिएको छ? ढिलाइ नगर्नुहोस् — KCC मा आजै सम्पर्क गर्नुहोस्।

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Medical disclaimer: This page is for general educational information only. It does not constitute medical advice or diagnosis. Symptoms listed here can be caused by many conditions, most of which are not cancer. Only a qualified medical professional can evaluate your specific situation. If you are concerned about any symptom, consult a doctor promptly. Kathmandu Cancer Center — Tathali, Nala Road, Bhaktapur. Tel: 01-5091629.