There’s a common misconception that all tumours grow at the same rate, but that’s not the case. The growth of tumours largely depends on the type of tumour, genetics, and the organs it affects. Imaging tests are essential for early detection of tumours, especially fast-growing, aggressive tumours, as this is the only way to monitor tumour growth before it becomes dangerous. This blog will outline the science behind tumour growth, give insights into aggressive and fast-growing tumours, and explain how early detection can help you stay ahead and be proactive about your health.
What Does It Mean When a Tumour Is “Fast-Growing”?
Tumour Doubling Time
The time it takes for tumours to double in size typically depends on the type of tumour1. Fast-growing tumours tend to double in days to weeks, whereas slow-growing tumours may take months to years. Take the example of small-cell lung cancer vs. prostate cancer. Small-cell lung cancer tends to grow much faster, having a doubling time of approximately 30-200 days, whereas prostate cancers are much slower growing, taking 2 - 4 years for their growth to double2,3.
What’s Considered a Fast-Growing Tumour?
For some tumours, a doubling time of around 30 days is considered fast-growing4. Even with aggressive and fast-growing forms of cancer, fast intervention and early detection can lead to significantly better outcomes1. Knowing the growth rates of tumours using imaging techniques like computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and positron emission tomography (PET) scans is vital to guide treatment timelines and monitor how well tumours respond to treatment.
How Fast Do Tumours Actually Grow?
How quickly a tumour grows varies significantly from patient to patient, even in those with the same type of cancer1. Tumours can develop from just a few millimetres to life-threatening sizes in less than a year. The concerning thing is, this rapid growth is exponential rather than linear, meaning that the tumour can double in size as time progresses.
Why Size and Not Just Stage Matters in Cancer Progression
Tumour size is an important factor that directly influences the prognosis, treatment options, and surgical outcomes across many different types of cancer. Generally, smaller tumours are associated with better survival rates and outcomes, whereas larger tumours often come with a poorer prognosis because of limited treatment options. Cancers like breast, hepatocellular carcinoma, and colorectal, with tumours of less than 2 centimetres, have higher survival rates as they can usually be surgically removed at earlier stages5,6. Although tumour size doesn’t always reflect how aggressive a cancer is, or whether it has spread. Some small tumours may have already spread to other parts of the body (metastasised), and others may grow large but stay localised to one area1.
Many people wonder how long it takes for cancer to progress from stage I to IV. This largely depends on the type of cancer, but for aggressive cancers like small-cell lung cancer and lymphoma, it can be months1. Whereas for slower-growing cancers, it could be years. This is why it’s important to speak to your healthcare provider as soon as symptoms arise, as early screening and detection could prevent tumours from growing and spreading while being undetected.
The Most Aggressive Cancers and How Fast They Can Grow
Recognising which cancers grow the fastest and the speed at which they can progress highlights the importance of early detection. Here are some examples of the most aggressive and deadliest cancers, categorised by their behaviour, which populations they affect, and their rates of survival.
Pancreatic Cancer
Growth Pattern: Can quickly spread to nearby organs such as the liver. Often, pancreatic cancer has minimal early symptoms, so it is usually only detected at a late stage.
Time from Stage I to IV: Progression of pancreatic cancer can be very fast, occurring in under a year for many patients7.
Survival Rate (5-year): Around 12 percent, highlighting its poor prognosis even with treatment7.
Common In: Both men and women can be affected, with most diagnoses occurring in patients over 60 years old7.
Small-Cell Lung Cancer
Growth Pattern: Can spread extremely fast with a doubling time of 30-200 days, alongside high chances of metastasis, particularly to the brain and bones3.
Time from Stage I to IV: Progression can be in as little as 2-4 months due to its rapid growth and aggressive nature8.
Survival Rate (5-year): Around 5-10 percent, reflecting its poor prognosis9.
Common In: Primarily older adult smokers, with men being slightly more susceptible9.
Glioblastoma (Brain Cancer)
Growth Pattern: Can spread to surrounding brain tissue quickly, making surgical removal difficult10.
Time from Stage I to IV: Progression in patients with symptoms can sometimes be weeks to months10.
Survival Rate (5-year): Around 5 percent, glioblastoma is one of the most aggressive forms of 11.
Common In: The chances of males developing this form of aggressive cancer are 1.5 times higher than for females, and often leads to poorer outcomes12,13.
Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC)
Growth Pattern: TNBC is an aggressive subtype of breast cancer that lacks oestrogen, progesterone, and HER2 (hormone) receptors. This limits treatment options, leading to fast progression with poorer outcomes compared to other forms of breast cancer14,15.
Time from Stage I to IV: Progression can be 8-13 months due to its fast growth and likelihood of metastasis16.
Survival Rate (5-year): Taking into account all stages, the 5-year survival rate is 77 percent, with early prognosis and lack of metastasis leading to much better survival rates17.
Common In: TNBC is one of the most aggressive cancers in females, and black females are over 2 times more at risk of developing TNBC18. Carriers of the BRCA1 gene have a 72 percent risk of developing breast cancer compared to 12 percent in the general population19.
Liver Cancer (Hepatocellular Carcinoma)
Growth Pattern: Around 25 percent of hepatocellular carcinomas are fast growing, with doubling times ranging from 3 - 8 months20. Cirrhosis (liver scarring and damage) from hepatitis B and C and alcohol-related issues may lead to the development of more aggressive disease20,21.
Time from Stage I to IV: Often within a year, patients with cirrhosis or chronic viral hepatitis are more susceptible to faster disease advancement21.
Survival Rate (5-year): Around 15 percent22.
Common In: Males are more susceptible than females, especially those with hepatitis or alcohol-related liver disease21.
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Why These Cancers Are So Dangerous
Silent Until It’s Too Late
Often, pancreatic, liver, and ovarian cancers have no early symptoms and are left undetected until late-stage. By the time symptoms are present, these cancers have usually spread to other parts of the body. Early screening helps you catch these cancers, even before symptoms appear.
Why Aggressive Doesn’t Always Mean Incurable
Aggressive and fast-growing cancers can be treated if caught early, leading to much better outcomes. At Ezra, we offer a full-body MRI scan, which enables early identification of abnormalities across 14 organs. If you are experiencing symptoms of cancer or are at a high risk of developing cancer, speak to your healthcare provider and consider booking in for our full-body MRI scan.
How Early Detection Changes the Game
Early detection is the only way to track tumour growth. An MRI scan can screen for abnormalities even when they’re at just a few millimetres, before symptoms appear and before the cancer spreads. Ezra scans use radiation-free, AI-enhanced imaging to deliver safe and fast results. Baseline imaging helps screen for differences between scans, helping you and your healthcare provider have a clear comparison of any changes.
FAQs
How fast can cancer grow without symptoms?
Many types of cancer can grow for months or years without causing any symptoms, this depends on the type of cancer, its growth rate, and location1–3.
Can Ezra’s MRI detect aggressive cancers?
Yes, Ezra’s MRI can screen for abnormalities, including even aggressive types of cancers.
Do fast-growing tumors always mean worse outcomes?
Not always, fast-growing tumours are usually more aggressive and more likely to spread to other parts of the body, but early detection and treatment can still improve prognosis1.
Is colon cancer fast-growing?
Typically, colon cancer is slow-growing, but some subtypes may grow more quickly1.
Is pancreatic cancer fast-growing?
Pancreatic cancer is generally fast-growing. Usually, progression from early stage to late stage happens in around a year7.
Is prostate cancer fast-growing?
Most prostate cancers are slow-growing and don’t cause any symptoms for many years1. Some more aggressive subtypes can progress more quickly.
Is kidney cancer fast-growing?
This depends on the type of kidney cancer – some types can be slow-growing without symptoms for many years, but some can progress quickly1.
Is rectal cancer fast-growing?
Rectal cancer is typically slow-growing, but some subtypes may grow more quickly1.
Is bladder cancer fast-growing?
This depends on the type of bladder cancer and whether it has spread to muscle23. Non-muscle invasive (has not spread) bladder cancers are typically slower growing than bladder cancers that are muscle invasive23.
Is liver cancer fast-growing?
Typically, liver cancer is fast-growing, especially in patients who have cirrhosis or chronic liver disease20,21.
Is breast cancer fast-growing?
Usually, breast cancer is slow-growing and may not cause any symptoms for years, but subtypes like TNBC can grow and spread more quickly15.
Is thyroid cancer fast-growing?
Thyroid cancer tends to be slower growing, but some subtypes, like anaplastic thyroid cancer, are fast-growing and significantly more aggressive24.
Is ovarian cancer fast-growing?
The growth rate of ovarian cancer varies depending on the type – some ovarian cancers grow without any symptoms until they reach an advanced stage1.
Ezra offers fast, non-invasive full-body MRI scans that can detect abnormalities in up to 14 organs. Take control of your health with early detection—book your Ezra Scan today.
