Symptoms
Symptoms of lung cancer can manifest themselves at any time in which the disease is present in the body. About one fourth of lung cancer patients have no symptoms when the cancer is discovered. Often, these cancer cases are discovered while undergoing routine chest X-rays for some other reason. The other three fourths of patients will develop symptoms prior to diagnosis. The symptoms are related to a few different causes. These symptoms can be linked to the direct effect of the primary tumor, the effects of metastatic tumors in other parts of the body, or malignant disturbances in the blood and hormones.
Symptoms of the primary tumor include respiratory imbalances in the body. The first sign of respiratory imbalances is typically a cough of some variety. A new cough in a smoker or a former smoker should elevate concern. A cough that is especially persistent over a period of time should be evaluated by a physician to determine its origin. Coughing up blood is also an indicator of lung cancer. This is caused by the blood supply that feeds the tumor's cells. Of the cells walls are relatively weak, releasing blood into airways. When it is in the airway, it will cause a cough to develop.
Other symptoms outside of coughing, with regards to the primary tumor are somewhat limited. Chest pains which are dull, achy, and persistent may be indicative of lung cancers. This pain is not always limited to the lung itself and may include other chest structures. Shortness of breath usually indicates an obstruction of an airway somewhere in the lungs, which could be indicative of a cancerous blockage. Other signs that may indicate blockage include shortness of breath, hoarseness, or wheezing. Other respiratory complications such as persistent bronchitis or pneumonia could also be signs of lung cancer.
Other symptoms that may develop are likely the result of metastasis, or the spread of the cancer to other parts of the body. The most common organ to which lung cancer will spread is the liver. However the presence of the cancer in the liver will not necessarily cause any symptoms at the time of diagnosis. Back and spinal pain may indicate the spread of the cancer along the bone lines and will typically be enough to bring patients into the doctor's office.
Remote or paraneolastic symptoms are those which are mainly due to the effects of the cancer on the body's ability to function normally. These include weakness, fatigue, weight loss, and diminished sodium levels.