Lung Cancer Symptoms from cancerhelp.org

Lung cancer symptoms
This page tells you about symptoms of lung cancer. You can go to sections on

General symptoms of lung cancer
Less common symptoms of lung cancer
Swollen face caused by superior vena cava obstruction (SVCO)
Pancoast tumours
Odd symptoms of lung cancer
General symptoms of lung cancer
The symptoms of lung cancer can be

Having a cough most of the time
A change in a cough you have had for a long time
Being short of breath
Coughing up phlegm (sputum) with signs of blood in it
An ache or pain when breathing or coughing
Loss of appetite
Fatigue
Losing weight
Less common symptoms of lung cancer
There are other symptoms of lung cancer that are less common. They are usually associated with more advanced lung cancer. You may have

A hoarse voice
Difficulty swallowing
Swelling of the face caused by a blockage of a main blood vessel from the head (SVCO)
Swelling in the neck caused by enlarged lymph nodes
Pain or discomfort under your ribs on your right side (from the liver)
Shortness of breath caused by fluid around the lungs (called pleural effusion)

Swollen face caused by superior vena cava obstruction (SVCO)
The vena cava is a large vein that carries blood from the brain and head back to the heart. If it is blocked, there is a build up behind the blockage causing fluid to seep out from the bloodstream and collect in the tissues of the face, causing swelling. This is called superior vena cava obstruction or SVCO for short.

All of these symptoms can be caused by other diseases apart from lung cancer. So, you should always see your doctor if you are worried about any symptoms. You may have a chest infection, or other illness that is easily treatable. If you do have lung cancer, the earlier it is diagnosed, the easier it is to treat it.

Pancoast tumours
Doctors sometimes call lung cancer that is growing right at the top of the lung a 'pancoast tumour'. These tumours can cause very specific symptoms. The most common is severe shoulder pain. They can also cause a collection of symptoms called 'Horner's syndrome'. These are

Drooping or weakness of one eyelid
Small pupil in that eye
Loss of sweating on that same side of the face
These symptoms of Horner's syndrome are caused by the tumour pressing on or damaging a nerve that runs up from the neck to that side of the face.

Odd symptoms of lung cancer
Sometimes lung cancer cells produce hormones that get into the bloodstream. These hormones can produce strange symptoms that you may not realise are anything to do with lung cancer. You may hear your doctor call these 'paraneoplastic symptoms' or say you have 'paraneoplastic syndrome'. These hormone related symptoms include

Pins and needles or numbness in fingers or toes
Muscle weakness
Drowsiness, weakness, dizziness or confusion
Breast swelling in men
Tendency to have blood clots (thrombosis)
These symptoms are rarely caused by lung cancer. But they can be. So it is important you tell your doctor about any new symptoms you have noticed. They may be nothing to do with your cancer and so your mind can be put at rest. If they are, then they can treat them and help you to feel better.