What are the symptoms of lung cancer?. Since lung cancer survival is better the earlier it is caught, understanding some of the common symptoms of lung cancer is very important. Symptoms of lung cancer to be aware of can include:
Key Points
Symptoms Related to Cancer in Lungs.
A cough that persists over time, or does not go away with treatment is a common warning sign of lung cancer. Other local symptoms that can be caused by lung cancer include:
- Coughing up blood (hemoptysis)
- Difficulty breathing – due to decreased airflow by a tumor obstructing the large airways or spread through the lungs
- Wheezing – caused by the interference of airflow through an airway obstructed by a tumor
- Pain in the chest, back, shoulder, or arm – when a lung tumor presses on nerves around the lungs
- Repeated lung infections such as pneumonia or bronchitis
- Hoarseness
No Symptoms.
Roughly 25% of the time, lung cancer causes no symptoms at all. These tumors are usually found when a chest x-ray is done for another reason. Occasionally, lung cancer is found when a smoker or former smoker has a procedure to screen for lung cancer.
General Symptoms Associated With Lung Cancer.
Lung cancer can sometimes present with vague symptoms. Concerns such as fatigue, unexplained weight loss,
loss of appetite, and even depression can be a symptom of lung cancer as well as many other conditions. It is important to talk with your health care provider if you have any concerns such as these, especially if you have a history of smoking.
Symptoms Related to The Spread of Lung Cancer.
Sometimes, the first symptoms of lung cancer are due to its spread (metastasis) to other regions in the body. With lung cancer, the most common places lung cancer spreads are to the liver, adrenal glands, brain, and
bones. Symptoms commonly found include:
- Bone – pain in the back, ribs, or hips
- Brain – headaches, seizures, weakness on one side of the body, vision symptoms
Paraneoplastic Symptoms.
Paraneoplastic symptoms are symptoms related to the production of hormones-like chemicals by some types of lung cancers. These often show up as unexplained findings on lab tests and can include:
- Low sodium levels (hyponatremia)
- Elevated calcium levels (hypercalcemia)
- Anemia
- Clubbing of the fingers (bulging of the fingernails)
- New bone formation seen on x-rays
Lung Cancer Causes.
There are many lung cancer causes, in addition to the well-known link with smoking. Lung cancer, and cancer in general, is most often a “multifactorial” disease, that is, many factors work together to cause or prevent cancer. An overview of common lung cancer causes includes:
Lifestyle.
- Smoking – Smoking is responsible for 87% of lung cancers.
- Lack of exercise – People who engage in moderate exercise are less likely to develop lung cancer.
- Unhealthful diet – A higher intake of foods, such as salads, is associated with a lower risk of developing lung cancer.
- Excess alcohol – An excess intake of alcohol may raise the risk of lung cancer in smokers.
Environmental Causes.
- Radon – Radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer, following smoking, and the leading cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers.
- Asbestos – Exposure to asbestos is responsible for the majority of mesothelioma, a rare tumor involving the lining of the lungs.
- Secondhand smoke – Secondhand smoke increases the risk of lung cancer in nonsmokers two- to- three-fold.
- Air pollution – Pollution, especially in urban areas, appears to raise the risk of lung cancer.
- Industrial chemicals – Several chemicals used in commerce are linked with a higher risk of lung cancer.
- Radiation – Atomic bomb survivors have an elevated risk of developing lung cancer, as do those who have undergone radiation therapy for other types of cancer, such as Hodgkin’s disease.
More About Environmental Causes of Lung Cancer
Occupational Causes.
Occupational exposure to carcinogens is estimated to be responsible for 13 to 29% of lung cancers in men.
More About Occupational Causes of Lung Cancer
Other Lung Diseases.
People who suffer from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) have an elevated risk of developing lung cancer irrespective of smoking history.
Genetic Causes.
In general, a genetic predisposition to lung cancer does not mean someone will develop lung cancer. It means they are more likely to develop lung cancer, especially when combined with other risk factors.
Research looking at the role of heredity in the development of lung cancer is in its infancy, but researchers are beginning to isolate some of the genetic changes that are associated with an increased risk of lung cancer.
More About Genetics – Family History and Lung Cancer Risk
Infectious Lung Cancer Causes.
Research looking at infectious diseases as a possible cause of lung cancer is also in its infancy. Infectious agents that have been associated with lung cancer in newer studies include: chlamydia pneumoniae, human papilloma virus (HPV), and measles.
Does HPV Cause Lung Cancer?
