How it affects you
Symptoms and signs of metastatic cancer depend on where the cancer is. Some people say they didn’t know they had cancer until after the tests showed that the cancer had already spread.
Other people can get general symptoms of metastatic cancer. These can include feeling tired or sick, trouble sleeping, losing weight, general aches and pain, night sweats and fevers. Depending on where the cancer is, they may develop pain in that area or may have a new swelling or lump. They might also have symptoms relating to the organ that is affected. For example, they may have trouble with their eyes if the cancer has spread to their brain or trouble breathing if the cancer has spread to their lungs.
There might also be sore areas, weakened bones or problems with how the body makes blood.
There are also side effects from cancer treatment, and problems that could be from other illnesses.
People may feel worried that the cancer has spread, and they don’t know what is going to happen.
