Cancer is the result of uncontrollably growth of cells that do not die. Cancer cells do not experience programmatic death and continue to grow and divide. When the mass of abnormal cells grows out of control, it results in causing cancer. Lung cancer starts to begin when the abnormal cells grow in the lungs. It has been long associated with smoking. The more cigarettes one smokes, the more are the chances of getting lung cancer. But, it is not that non smokers cannot have lung cancer. While smoking is the leading cause behind lung cancer, there are other causes as well. Continuous exposure to asbestos, harmful chemicals and pollution are also among the major causes of lung cancer. The symptoms of lung cancer very extensively.
In the early stage of lung cancer, there are usually no signs. When the lung cancer spreads, additional symptoms present themselves in the newly affected areas. Some early signs of lung cancer include swollen or enlarged lymph nodes. In an advanced stage, lung cancer symptoms include coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and bloody mucus. Patients have reported these symptoms for lung cancer:
- A new cough raises concern for lung cancer. Persistent or intense coughing is a common symptoms faced by most lung cancer patients.
- Coughing up blood occurs in a significant number of lung cancer patients. Coughed-up blood in small or big amount is a cause for concern.
- Chest pain is a common symptom reported by those who have lung cancer.
- Wheezing may cause signal blockage in the lung.
- Shortness of breath is also one of the most common symptoms. It usually results from a blockage to the flow of air in part of the lung.
- A persistent, aching pain in various parts of the body.
There are some unspecified symptoms as well that are associated with lung cancer such as unexplained weight loss. Lung cancer symptoms depend on where the cancer is located, where it has spread and how big the tumor is. It may take many years before appearing and they start appearing after the lung cancer is in advanced stage.