Early symptoms of lung cancer:
Lung cancer symptoms vary from person to person and depends upon number of factors such as the areas affected by tumor, size of tumor, location and others. At the early stage of lung cancer, the symptoms are not very significant and most of the patients do not realize that they have suffered from lung cancer. They may diagnose it during other check-ups such as chest x-ray or CT scan. Early symptoms may be a slight cough or shortness of breath. As the cancer starts to develop, these symptoms become more severe or intense. There may also cause systemic symptoms such as general fatigue or loss of appetite. There are no symptoms at the onset of the disease.
Signs of lung cancer: The most common signs of lung cancer found among patients may include these:
- Shortness of breath: Lung cancer patients face severe shortness of breath. Wheezing or noisy breathing also come under lung cancer signs.
- Coughing up blood: This is one of the most common symptoms and the ones, who have the problem of coughing up blood, must consult their doctor.
- Coughing: Persistent cough that does not go away is also a common symptom of lung cancer.
- Recurring Infections: Bronchitis or pneumonia comes under the signs of lung cancer.
- Fatigue: patients feel weak or excessively tired at many times.
Symptoms of lung cancer found at an advanced stage:
When the lung cancer progresses, there comes severe symptoms of lung cancer. These are often characterized when cancer spreads to distant sites in the body, affecting the bones, liver or even brain. As the lung cancer grows and affects other body parts, new lung cancer starts to develop. It is always advisable to get treatment of lung cancer when these signs start appearing. Symptoms include:
- Chest infection that does not go away with treatment
- Difficulty swallowing
- Changes in the shape of fingers and nails
- Swelling in the neck due to enlarged lymph nodes
- Pain or discomfort under the ribs
- Bone pain
- Swelling of the face, arms or neck