What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Lung Cancer?
In the early stages of lung cancer, you may not experience any obvious signs or symptoms. That’s why most lung cancers are diagnosed when the cancer is relatively advanced.
Early warning signs include a progressively worsening cough. This cough occurs when cancer cells irritate the lining of the airways or block the flow of air.
The following are the most common warning signs and symptoms of lung cancer. However, everyone may experience symptoms differently.
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Persistent cough
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Wheezing
- Recurring lung infections, such as pneumonia or bronchitis
- Bloody or rust-colored sputum (spit)
- Hoarse voice
- Swelling of the neck and face (caused by a tumor that presses on large blood vessels near the lung)
- Pain and weakness in the shoulder, arm, or hand (caused by a tumor that presses on certain nerves near the lung)
- Fever for unknown reason
Like other cancers, lung cancer can cause:
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Pain in other parts of the body not affected by the cancer
- Bone fractures
Lung cancer can cause other symptoms. Some lung cancer cells produce a substance that causes a sharp drop in the level of sodium (salt) in the blood. This can cause many symptoms, including confusion and sometimes even coma.
None of these symptoms is a sure sign of lung cancer, and all are common in other health conditions. Always consult your doctor for a diagnosis.
This content was last reviewed
August 15, 2010 by Dr. Reshma L. Mahtani.