Signs are what patients feel or notice and report to their doctors. On the other hand, symptoms are what a physician detects in his evaluation of a patient.
Different cancers have different signs, all of which depend upon the extent of the cancer.
The more advanced a cancer is, the more signs will be manifested. Most cancers in their earlier stages have no signs. As they grow and become sizeable, they will produce some signs. However, it is crucial to diagnose cancer at an early stage, when cure is possible. Detecting cancers, even before they cause any signs or symptoms, is done by using Screening tests.