Lung Cancer Symptoms and Signs

Signs and symptoms of lung cancer
Most lung cancers do not cause any symptoms until it has spread, but some people with lung cancer early have symptoms. If you go to the doctor when you first notice symptoms of the disease may be diagnosed with cancer at an early stage, when it is more than likely to be the emergence of an effective treatment. The most common symptoms of lung cancer are:

Lung Cancer Symptoms and Signs

• And a cough that does not go away or gest worse
• Coughing blood or rust-colored phlegm (sputum or phlegm)
• Chest pain that is often worse with deep breathing, coughing or laughing
• Hoarseness
• Weight lose and loss of appetite
• Shortness of breath
• Feeling tired or weak
• Infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia that do not go away or keep coming back
• A new beginning of wheezing

If the spread of lung cancer to distant organs, it may cause:

Bone pain (such as pain in the back or hips)
Nervous system changes (such as headache weakness or numbness in an arm or leg, dizziness, problems with balance, or convulsions), the spread of cancer to the brain or spinal cord
Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice), the spread of cancer to the liver
Blocks near the surface of the body, due to the spread of cancer to the skin or to the lymph nodes (groups of immune system cells), such as those found in the neck or above the collarbone
Most of these symptoms are more likely to be caused by something other than lung cancer. However, if you have any of these problems, it is important to see a doctor immediately so that it can find the cause and treatment, if necessary.

Some lung cancers can cause symptoms, which are groups of very specific symptoms.

Horner's syndrome

The upper part of cancer of the lungs (sometimes called Pancoast tumors) sometimes can affect some of the nerves of the eye and part of the face, causing a range of symptoms called Horner's syndrome:

• Drooping or weakness of one eyelid
• Pupil smaller (dark part in the center of the eye) in the same eye
• Sweating low or absent on the same side of the face
• Pancoast tumors can also cause sometimes severe pain in the shoulder.

Superior vena cava syndrome

The superior vena cava (SVC) is a large vein that carries blood from the head and arms to the heart. It passes next to the upper part of his right lung and lymph nodes within the chest. Tumors in this area can be pressed on the SVC, which can cause blood to back up in the veins. This can lead to swelling of the face, neck, arms, and upper chest (sometimes with a bluish skin color red). It can also cause headaches, dizziness, change in consciousness if it affects the brain. While SVC syndrome can develop gradually over time, in some cases, it can become life-threatening, and need to be addressed immediately.

Paraneoplastic syndromes

Some lung cancers make hormone-like substances that enter the bloodstream and cause problems with distant tissues and organs, although cancer had not spread to those tissues or organs. These problems are called paraneoplastic syndromes. Sometimes these syndromes can be the first symptom of lung cancer. Because the symptoms affect other members of the lungs, patients, and their doctors may suspect at first that another disease of lung cancer causes them.

Some paraneoplastic syndromes most commonly associated with lung cancer are:

• SIADH (syndrome of inappropriate hormone antidiuretic?): In this case, the cancer cells make the hormone (ADH), which causes the kidneys to retain water. This reduces the levels of salt in the blood. SIADH symptoms can include fatigue, loss of appetite, muscle weakness or cramps, nausea, vomiting, restlessness, and confusion. Without treatment, severe cases can lead to seizures and coma.
• Cushing's syndrome: In this case, it may make the cancer cells ACTH, a hormone that causes the adrenal glands to secrete cortisol. This can lead to symptoms such as weight gain, easy bruising, weakness, drowsiness, and fluid retention. Cushing's syndrome can also cause high blood pressure and high blood sugar levels (or even diabetes).
• Nervous system problems: Lung cancer can sometimes cause the immune system to attack parts of the nervous system, which can lead to problems. One example is a muscle disorder called Lambert-Eaton, the muscles around the hips become a weak syndrome. It may be one of the first signs of trouble getting up from a sitting position. Later, the muscles around the shoulder may become weak. There is the problem of the scarcity of decomposition associated with cerebellar tumors, which can cause loss? of balance and unsteadiness in the arm and leg movement, as well as difficulty, speaking or swallowing.
• High blood calcium levels (hypercalcemia): This can cause frequent urination, thirst, constipation, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, weakness, fatigue, dizziness, confusion, and other problems in the nervous system.
• Excessive growth or thickening in some bones: This is often in the fingertips, and can be painful.
• Blood clots
• Excess breast growth in men (gynecomastia)

Again, many of these symptoms are more likely to be caused by something other than lung cancer. However, if you have any of these problems, it is important to see a doctor immediately so that it can find the cause and treatment, if necessary

Tweet