Complications of Lung Cancer - Complications of Lung Cancer

Lung Cancer
What Happens
Date updated: June 12, 2006
Shannon Erstad, MBA/MPH
Content provided by Healthwise
Lung cancer may cause breathing or heart problems such as:

Pleural effusion, which is the buildup of fluid between the outer lining of the lungs and the chest wall. This is a common condition with lung cancer.
Coughing up large amounts of bloody sputum.
Collapse of a lung (pneumothorax).
Blockage of the airway (bronchial obstruction).
Recurrent infections, such as pneumonia.
Pericardial effusion, which is the buildup of fluid in the space between the heart and the sac around the heart (pericardium). This condition is not common with lung cancer.
As lung cancer grows, it may spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body. Lung cancer is classified in stages that are determined by the size of the cancer and how far it has spread within the lung, to nearby tissues, or to other organs.

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