Lung Cancer Symptoms

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The Symptoms of Lung Cancer
Lung cancer is a disease that is best treated early. However, catching the disease in its early stages can be very difficult for both doctors and patients. That’s why it’s incredibly important for people who are at risk for the disease to monitor any potential symptoms they might have. Learning to recognize the symptoms of lung cancer is an important part in seeking early evaluation and treatment. As with most forms of cancer, the earlier the treatment, the higher the rate of success.

Symptoms of the Disease

The problem with detecting lung cancer in its early stages is that during the early stages, the disease may show little to no obvious symptoms. This is unfortunate because treatment is most effective in eradicating lung cancer in these stages. Symptoms of a more advanced disease are easier to spot, though people who are not aware that they are at risk may not recognize the symptoms, or people who smoke may choose to brush off some symptoms as smoking-related ones.

Symptoms of a more advanced lung cancer include a new cough that does not go away. Smokers who already have a chronic cough from tobacco use may notice a change in the severity and frequency of their cough. Pain in the chest, back, and shoulders that does not go away may also indicate symptoms of lung cancer. These symptoms are usually made worse at this stage by deep breathing. A person who has likely developed lung cancer may also experience hoarseness, bloody mucous, and neck and facial swelling. They may cough up blood or have difficulty swallowing.

Other symptoms include weight loss and loss of appetite. Weakness and fatigue, along with chronic respiratory infections like pneumonia, can also be symptoms. Other more unusually symptoms include clubbing of the fingers and toes, in which the nails appear to bulge out more than normal. Learning to recognize the various symptoms of lung cancer is extremely important for those with a family history of the disease or those who smoke or work in a risky environment. Obvious symptoms like coughing up blood or chest pain may sometimes be confused with other illnesses, so it is best to receive a full evaluation from a qualified physician.