Lung cancer symptoms
This page tells you about symptoms of lung cancer. There is information about
Lung cancer symptoms
The symptoms of lung cancer can be
- Having a cough most of the time
- A change in a cough you have had for a long time
- Being short of breath
- Coughing up phlegm (sputum) with signs of blood in it
- An ache or pain when breathing or coughing
- Loss of appetite
- Fatigue
- Losing weight
Less common symptoms of lung cancer
There are other symptoms of lung cancer that are less common. They are usually associated with more advanced lung cancer. They include
- A hoarse voice
- Difficulty swallowing
- Swelling of the face or neck
- Pain or discomfort under your ribs on your right side (from the liver)
- Shortness of breath caused by fluid around the lungs (called pleural effusion)
All of these symptoms can be caused by other diseases apart from lung cancer. Some rare types of lung cancer can cause symptoms that don’t seem to be anything to do with the lungs.
The symptoms of lung cancer may include
- Having a cough most of the time
- A change in a cough you have had for a long time
- Being short of breath
- Coughing up phlegm (sputum) with signs of blood in it
- An ache or pain when breathing or coughing
- Loss of appetite
- Fatigue
- Losing weight
Other less common symptoms of lung cancer are usually associated with more advanced lung cancer. They include
- A hoarse voice
- Difficulty swallowing
- Changes in the shape of your fingers and nails called finger clubbing
- Swelling of the face caused by a blockage of a main blood vessel (superior vena cava obstruction)
- Swelling in the neck caused by enlarged lymph nodes
- Pain or discomfort under your ribs on your right side (from the liver)
- Shortness of breath caused by fluid around the lungs (called pleural effusion)
Some types of lung cancer cells produce hormones that get into the bloodstream. These hormones can cause symptoms that do not seem related to the lung cancer. Doctors call them 'paraneoplastic symptoms' or 'paraneoplastic syndrome'. These hormone related symptoms vary from person to person but may include
- Pins and needles or numbness in fingers or toes
- Muscle weakness
- Drowsiness, weakness, dizziness or confusion
- Breast swelling in men
- Blood clots (thrombosis)
These symptoms are uncommon with lung cancer but they can happen. So it is important to tell your doctor about any new symptoms you have noticed. If they are caused by the cancer, you can have treatment to help you feel better.
Lung cancer growing right at the top of the lung is called a 'pancoast tumour'. These tumours can cause very specific symptoms. The most common is severe shoulder pain. They can also cause a collection of symptoms called 'Horner's syndrome'. These are
- Drooping or weakness of one eyelid
- Small pupil in that eye
- Loss of sweating on that same side of the face
These symptoms of Horner's syndrome are caused by the tumour pressing on or damaging a nerve that runs up from the neck to that side of the face.
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