Complications of Lung Cancer - Complications of Lung Cancer

The Results of Lung Cancer
Lung cancer causes several complications and problems within people diagnosed with the disease. These complications can range from irritating side effects of the disease or its treatments to more serious complications that can be debilitating or fatal. Patients who experience any of these complications should seek immediate help from their doctor to determine the exact cause of the problem and what can be done to treat it.

A Range of Complications

Lung cancer, not surprisingly, can cause many difficulties with breathing. The disease can also cause a complication called pleural effusion. Pleural effusion takes place after a build up of fluid between the outer lining of the lungs and the inner lining of the chest cavity. Unfortunately, pleural effusion is a common side effect of lung cancer. Along with difficulty breathing, people with the disease may also spend time coughing up blood.

More serious complications can include the collapse of a lung or airway blockage. Both of these complications are extremely serious and require immediate medical attention to ensure assistance can be given in a timely manner. People with lung cancer may also have recurring infections in the lungs such as pneumonia, which can lead to other complications such as fatigue and weakness. More uncommon than the previously mentioned pleural effusion is pericardial effusion, which can still take place in people with lung cancer.

If the cancer spreads beyond the lungs and respiratory system, it can cause further damage and complications. The cancer has the potential if caught too late or if it remains uncontrolled to spread to the lymph nodes of the body. The cancer can also spread to the bones, brain, and other organs like the liver. Lung cancer is thus classified in stages, with stage zero being barely detectable (most often detected by chance during some other procedure) to stage IV, in which the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes beyond the chest and most likely other organs. Doctors can determine this by doing tests such as bone scans and X-rays. People at this later stage usually only have a 5 year survival rate of about 15 percent, because the cancer probably will not respond as well to treatment. Occasionally, people with lung cancer will also develop oral, bladder, or kidney cancer among other complications.