Early symptoms of lung cancer

Written by Gong Chun
Oncology
Updated on September 13, 2024
00:00
00:00

Early-stage lung cancer, especially peripheral lung cancer, often has no symptoms and is mostly found during chest X-rays or CT scans. The clinical symptoms of lung cancer are closely related to the location, size, pathological type of the tumor, whether it compresses or invades adjacent organs, and whether there is metastasis. The symptoms of lung cancer generally include: First, some symptoms of the primary tumor growing locally, including cough, hemoptysis, difficulty breathing, and chest pain. When the tumor grows inside a larger bronchus, it might cause some irritative coughing. Second, as the tumor continues to grow and affects the drainage of the bronchi, it may lead to secondary lung infections, presenting with symptoms such as cough and purulent sputum. Third, there might be bloody sputum streaked with blood or intermittent minor hemoptysis, though significant hemoptysis is very rare.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by An Yong Peng
Pulmonology
1min 2sec home-news-image

Is the appetite good in the early stages of lung cancer?

In the early stages of lung cancer, generally, there is no obvious impact on the appetite. Most early-stage lung cancers do not show clinical symptoms. However, some patients may experience coughs or blood-streaked sputum if the tumor grows along the inner wall of the airway, stimulating the respiratory tract. Nevertheless, early-stage lung cancer typically does not metastasize or spread to the digestive tract. Thus, early-stage lung cancer usually does not affect the patient's appetite, and the patient's appetite generally remains unaffected. However, it is crucial to diagnose early-stage lung cancer because surgical removal at this stage can often achieve good results. Once it progresses to mid or late stages, the outcomes are usually poor, and the survival period is typically short. Therefore, it is advocated that people at high risk for lung cancer undergo regular chest CT screenings to check for early-stage lung cancer.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Gong Chun
Oncology
1min 7sec home-news-image

How to detect early symptoms of lung cancer?

So, the early symptoms of lung cancer often include a cough, hemoptysis, difficulty breathing, and chest pain. However, these symptoms, particularly the irritating cough, typically appear after the tumor has grown in the larger bronchi; this is often mistaken for a cough following a cold, leading to misdiagnosis or delayed treatment. Therefore, if this type of irritating cough occurs, it is essential to seek medical attention promptly and to undergo chest X-ray or CT scan. Second, as the tumor continues to grow and affects the drainage of the bronchus, secondary lung infections may occur, often characterized by coughing up pus-like sputum, and an increase in the amount of sputum, which should also be noted. Third, a very common symptom is the presence of blood in the sputum, or streaks of blood, or intermittent minor hemoptysis, which must be taken seriously.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Sun Ming Yue
Medical Oncology
37sec home-news-image

Do early-stage lung cancer patients experience vomiting?

If a patient develops lung cancer, some may experience symptoms of nausea and vomiting in the early stages, which is caused by the spread of cancer cells. Others may experience localized pain. It is suggested that lung cancer patients who experience nausea and vomiting adopt a fasting method for treatment, or treat it through localized massage. If patients discover that they have lung cancer, it is crucial to control it in the early stages to prevent the spread of cancer cells. If necessary, treatment can be administered through chemotherapy drugs or radiation therapy drugs.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Han Shun Li
Pulmonology
44sec home-news-image

Is coughing up blood lung cancer?

Everyone knows that lung cancer can cause coughing up blood, but does coughing up blood necessarily mean one has lung cancer? It should not be interpreted this way. Although lung cancer can cause coughing up blood, there are many reasons for coughing up blood, and it is not only caused by lung cancer. Reasons for coughing up blood can also include bronchitis, pneumonia, bronchiectasis, tuberculosis, lung abscess, and many others. Therefore, if coughing up blood occurs, it doesn't necessarily mean one has lung cancer, and there is no need for excessive worry. If coughing up blood occurs, it is important to visit a hospital in a timely manner, where a doctor can conduct checks like chest X-rays to further investigate the cause.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Gong Chun
Oncology
1min 19sec home-news-image

What causes lung cancer?

Lung cancer is caused by a variety of factors. Research indicates that lung cancer results from a combination of genetic defects, external and internal environmental factors, and personal factors. Numerous studies have confirmed that long-term and heavy smoking is the most significant carcinogenic factor for lung cancer. There is a positive correlation between the amount and duration of smoking and the incidence of lung cancer. The second factor is related to working in asbestos-related industries, which very much relates to the work environment, and also has a certain relation to smog. Indoor environmental pollution is also a very significant carcinogenic factor for lung cancer. This includes smoke from burning coal indoors, fumes from cooking oils in kitchens, and carcinogenic substances released by indoor decorating materials. Fourthly, internal human factors such as the immune status, metabolic abnormalities, genetic factors, and chronic lung infections are also related. The fifth factor involves irregular diet and rest habits, irritating foods, alcohol consumption, and heavy smoking.