Is coughing up blood lung cancer?

Written by Han Shun Li

Pulmonology

Updated on March 01, 2025

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Patients with lung cancer can experience hemoptysis, but the occurrence of hemoptysis does not necessarily mean that it is caused by lung cancer. Although hemoptysis is a symptom of lung cancer, there are many other diseases that can cause it as well, such as tuberculosis, bronchiectasis, lung abscess, various pneumonias, certain heart diseases, blood disorders, etc. Therefore, it can only be said that hemoptysis may be an indication of lung cancer, not that hemoptysis confirms the presence of lung cancer.

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Written by Gong Chun

Oncology

1min 7sec

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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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Written by Gong Chun

Oncology

52sec

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How is lung cancer diagnosed?

Lung cancer is one of the malignant tumors and falls under respiratory system diseases. The gold standard for the diagnosis of malignant tumors is biopsy. Thus, lung cancer is no exception; it requires a biopsy and immunohistochemistry to determine the type of cancer and its pathological type. So how is the biopsy obtained? We can use a bronchoscope to directly observe the tumor and collect small tissue samples for pathological examination. Additionally, there is the thoracic wall lung puncture biopsy, where tissue from the tumor can be sampled using a fine needle. These samples are observed under a microscope to differentiate the pathological types and to further confirm the diagnosis.

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Written by Wang Chun Mei

Pulmonology

52sec

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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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Written by Li Ying

Pulmonology

1min 16sec

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Is hemoptysis lung cancer?

Coughing up blood is not necessarily lung cancer. Among respiratory diseases, the three most common causes of coughing up blood are, first, bronchiectasis; second, pneumonia and lung abscess; and third, lung cancer. So how can we determine the cause? The best, simplest, and fastest method is to go to the hospital for a lung CT scan as soon as coughing up blood occurs. If the lung CT shows bronchiectasis, then bronchiectasis should be considered; if it shows an infiltrative lesion, then pneumonia should be considered; if it shows a tumor, then lung cancer should be considered at that time. However, there is also a scenario where blood is coughed up, but the lung CT is completely normal. What should be done then? This situation might be due to pharyngitis. Sometimes, severe coughing from pharyngitis can cause bleeding of the mucous membranes in the throat. In this case, there’s no need for excessive worry, as it may be caused by factors involving the throat. Cough gently, and if there’s no blood when coughing lightly, it’s likely not serious. However, if there's still blood in the sputum even when coughing lightly, it is recommended to undergo a bronchoscopy to check for tuberculosis or cancer in the bronchi.

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Written by Gong Chun

Oncology

53sec

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Symptoms of brain metastasis from lung cancer

Brain metastasis of lung cancer is caused by hematogenous spread of lung cancer to the brain. Brain metastasis typically presents with symptoms such as headaches, nausea, and vomiting, including projectile vomiting. The headaches may be severe, and there may be abnormalities in sensory perception and motor function, possibly accompanied by seizures, mental confusion, olfactory disturbances, visual impairments, and other symptoms. The specific symptoms can vary depending on the location of the metastasis in the brain. However, most patients experience headaches, nausea, and vomiting. Individual differences are significant, and it's important to analyze the specific issues and the specific areas of the brain affected.