Symptoms and Signs of Lung Cancer

People who smoke have the greatest risk of lung cancer, but the disease can also occur in non-smokers. Most lung cancers do not cause noticeable symptoms in their earliest stages. As the cancer grows and spreads, it can cause a variety of symptoms.

According to the American Cancer Society, signs of lung cancer can include:

• Coughing, hoarseness, and shortness of breath
• Chest pain that may get worse with deep breathing, laughing, or coughing
• Unexplained weight loss or loss of appetite
• Fatigue
• Chronic infections including bronchitis and pneumonia
• Coughing up blood

As cancer spreads (or metastasizes), it can cause bone pain, jaundice (yellowing the skin and eyes), swollen lymph nodes, and headaches. These symptoms vary from patient to patient depending on the type of cancer and various other factors.

It’s important to understand that the symptoms listed above can apply to a number of other conditions, not just lung cancer. Anyone experiencing new symptoms should tell their physician. Only a qualified doctor can diagnose and treat lung cancer.

Lung Cancer Risk Factors and Diagnosis

As mentioned earlier, smoking is the most common cause of lung cancer; cigarette smoking is associated with about 80 to 90 percent of lung cancer deaths in the United States. Other potential causes include exposure to secondhand smoke, a family history of lung cancer, and exposure to radon gas, asbestos, and other carcinogenic (cancer-causing) substances.

After gathering information about the patient’s symptoms, a physician may use several different tests to diagnose the disease:

• Sputum Cytology- Sputum is the mucus and saliva coughed up from the lungs. By examining sputum under a microscope, specialists may be able to locate cancer cells.
• Biopsy- In this procedure, a surgeon removes a sample of the patient’s tissue for analysis.
• X-Rays and CT Scans- Imaging tests may be able to find lesions, abnormal masses, and nodules that indicate cancer.

Per the American Cancer Society, about 80 to 86 percent of lung cancers are non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The other major subtype of cancer is small-cell lung cancer (SCLC), which typically spreads faster than NSCLC.

The American Lung Association notes that the five-year survival rate for all lung cancers is 18.6 percent. Patients should understand that survival rates are averages and do not reflect the chances in a specific case — many lung cancers respond well to treatment.

Potential Treatments for Lung Cancer

To treat lung cancer, most patients work with an oncologist (cancer specialist). Doctors may recommend a combination of treatments depending on the type and location of cancer, the patient’s health history, and other factors. Treatments might include:

• Surgery- For early-stage NSCLC, surgery is often the primary treatment. Surgeons attempt to remove cancerous tissue. Following the surgery, the patient may take other treatments to destroy remaining cancer cells or to limit the chances that the cancer will return.
• Chemotherapy- These medicines are intended to shrink tumors or kill cancers. Doctors may prescribe several different chemotherapy drugs to treat lung cancer.
• Targeted Therapy- The patient takes medications that attempt to target the cancer directly to prevent lung cancer from growing or spreading.
• Radiation Therapy- This treatment uses high-energy radiation to kill cancer cells.
• Complementary Therapies- Some patients take vitamin or herbal supplements, change their diets, or use other alternative therapies. These treatments are usually intended to reduce the side effects of medical treatments, to reduce anxiety, and to control pain.

Patients should research treatments carefully and discuss them with their doctors. Some treatments — including over-the-counter supplements and painkillers — may interfere with doctor-prescribed medications.

Researching Lung Cancer Online

A lung cancer diagnosis can be extremely difficult, but patients should begin treating the disease as soon as possible. By researching therapies and learning more about the disease, people can make educated healthcare decisions with the help of their doctors.

Online resources can be extremely helpful. People who research lung cancer on the internet should look carefully at medical claims and talk to their physicians before making decisions — particularly when considering alternative therapies. Gathering as much information as possible can give patients peace of mind, enabling them to take an active role in their treatment.