Symptoms of lung cancer transformation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Written by Yang Feng
Pulmonology
Updated on January 21, 2025
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Lung cancer is a complication of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but it is relatively less common for COPD patients to also have lung cancer. Regular health check-ups, including annual lung CT scans, can help identify the possibility of cancerous changes at an early stage. In the early stages of lung cancer, patients generally do not show obvious clinical symptoms. As the disease progresses, symptoms such as coughing up blood, weight loss, fatigue, and night sweats may occur. However, since the clinical symptoms of lung cancer are similar to other lung diseases, there are no typical clinical features, and imaging studies are needed for preliminary screening.

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How long can one live with lung cancer?

The survival period of malignant tumors is a topic of great concern to everyone. The question of how long one can live with lung cancer is very difficult to answer. It should be based on the patient's physical condition and the pathological staging. However, these judgments are only based on a predictive basis and do not determine how long the patient can live. If the patient does not relapse after surgery, is sensitive to radiotherapy and chemotherapy, and shows no signs of recurrence or resistance, then their five-year survival rate is naturally higher. If the patient experiences recurrence and metastasis after surgery, then the five-year survival rate is naturally lower. Therefore, the question of how long a person can live with a malignant tumor cannot be answered generically.

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How to stop coughing and wheezing in the late stage of lung cancer

Lung cancer is a relatively common type of malignant lung tumor clinically. Due to the different specific types of lung cancer in different populations, the symptoms experienced by patients also vary. In the early stages of lung cancer, symptoms are generally characterized by irritative dry cough, hemoptysis, breathlessness, and chest tightness. As the tumor grows and metastasizes, patients in the later stages may experience varying degrees of coughing, wheezing, and expectoration. For such patients, the first step is to provide appropriate anti-infection treatment and oral administration of antispasmodic drugs. Inhalation of medications that relieve bronchospasm can also be chosen, both of which can achieve a certain effect in relieving cough and easing breathing.

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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.

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How is lung cancer treated?

For the treatment of lung cancer, it should currently be based on a comprehensive treatment method tailored to the patient's age, specific condition, nutritional status, economic condition, and the capabilities available at the hospital. It is particularly related to the stage of the disease and the type identified in the tissue biopsy. Currently, lung cancer primarily adopts a multidisciplinary comprehensive treatment approach spearheaded by surgical intervention. Surgical treatment is the preferred method for lung cancer, but since it is a systemic disease, surgery alone cannot completely address the issue. Therefore, it must be combined with radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and other treatments in a multidisciplinary and comprehensive approach. Additionally, immunotherapy and targeted therapy are inseparable and crucial parts of integrated treatment strategies for lung cancer. If the disease is staged and involves adenocarcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma of the lung, surgical treatment is recommended followed by adjuvant radiotherapy or chemotherapy, or targeted and immunotherapy. If surgery is not possible, some supportive treatments can be considered. For small-cell lung cancer, surgery is not recommended because it offers no benefit; instead, a combined approach of chemotherapy and radiotherapy is advised.

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What should I do if lung cancer causes coughing up blood?

Lung cancer refers to a condition where, due to genetic mutations in human cells, cells grow disorderly or wildly, forming a solid mass-like lesion primarily known as lung cancer. Due to the uneven growth of lung cancer, local necrosis can occur, leading to bleeding, making coughing up blood a very common clinical manifestation in lung cancer. The severity of coughing up blood is classified into mild, moderate, and severe. Generally, if a single instance of coughing up blood is less than five milliliters, it can be managed with Yunnan Baiyao. However, if the amount exceeds 100 milliliters, it is advisable to seek medical attention promptly to prevent life-threatening risks from massive hemoptysis. (The use of medications should be under the guidance of a doctor.)