Lung Cancer Symptoms

Lung Cancer Symptoms

Lung cancer is a type of cancer that leads to uncontrolled cell growth in the tissues of the lung. It is the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths in women after breast cancer and is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men. Lung cancer symptoms may not show in the early stages. The symptoms only show after the cancer has spread to other areas. Some sites of metastasis for this type of cancer are the liver, the brain, the kidneys, bones and the adrenal glands.

Some common symptoms of lung cancer include coughing up blood, shortness of breath, weight loss and chest pain or pain in the abdomen. Other signs include wheezing, hoarse voice, loss of appetite, fatigue as well as difficulty when swallowing. Clubbing of the fingernails is another sign though is uncommon. Symptoms such as bone pain, fever and weight loss are nonspecific especially in the elderly and this may be attributed to comorbid illness.

Breathing with difficulty is another of the lung cancer symptoms. This happens when the cancer grows in the airway interfering with the airflow and thus causing breathing difficulties. This may lead to accumulation of secretions making the patient vulnerable to pneumonia.

A tumor in the apex of the lung may invade the sympathic nervous system. This may lead to changes in the sweating patterns as well as problems in the eye muscle. Invasion of the sympathic nervous system affects the brachial plexus causing weaknesses in the hands.  Chest radiograph and computed tomography (CT) scan can be used to detect lung cancer. Diagnosis of the disease is confirmed with a biopsy.