Over one-fourth of lung cancer patients don’t have any symptoms at the time of diagnosis. It is only incidentally that cancer such as that of the lung...
Over one-fourth of lung cancer patients don’t have any symptoms at the time of diagnosis. It is only incidentally that cancer such as that of the lungs gets diagnosed. The disease is usually identified when a chest x-ray is performed for some other reason. Here are some of the
• Coughing up blood
• Cough
• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
Cough in a new smoker or a former smoker must raise concern for lung cancer.
Cough that does not go away or gets worse despite treatment should be checked by health-care provider.
A significant number of people,
who have lung cancer, tend to cough up blood. Any amount of coughed-up blood is a cause for worry and should therefore, be checked with a health care provider.
Chest pain has been observed in about one-fourth of the cancer patients. The pain is usually dull, persistent and aching.
Shortness of breath usually leads to blockage of the flow of air in the lungs, spread of tumour throughout the lungs and collection of fluids around the lungs.
Hoarseness or wheezing may be indicative of inflammation or blockage in the lungs.
Repeated onset of pneumonia and bronchitis may be a sign of lung cancer.
Symptoms of Metastatic Lung Cancer
Lung cancer often spreads to other organs, such as the liver and other parts of the body, such as the adrenal glands, brain and bones.
Metastatic lung cancer does not show any symptoms until the time of diagnosis.
Patients with lung cancer that has spread to the brain usually feel difficult with weakness, vision, etc on one side of the body. They may also experience seizures.
Metastasis of lung cancer to the bones is common with small cell cancers, though it also occurs with other types of lung cancers. Lung cancer that has spread to the bones would cause pain in the bones, especially in the backbone, thighbones and ribs.
When to Consult a Doctor
Seek the services of a health-care provider as soon as you experience:
• Any of the above mentioned symptoms of lung cancer
• New cough or any changes in existing cough
• Flecks of blood in the sputum when you cough
• Unexplained and persistent fatigue
• Pains or deep aches
• Coughing up large amount of blood
• Sudden weakness
• Sudden problems in vision
• Sudden shortness of breath
