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 An Yong Peng

Pulmonology

1min 2sec

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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.

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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

1min 20sec

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Can lung cancer be cured?

Lung cancer is a type of malignant tumor, so whether it can be cured depends on the circumstances and can only be assessed over time. If the patient is eligible for surgery and there is no recurrence or metastasis after the operation, then adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy may be effective. If the evaluation after treatment shows no recurrence or metastasis and the condition is stable, then naturally, the patient's five-year survival rate will be higher. However, if there is recurrence or metastasis after surgery and the cancer is not very responsive to radiotherapy and chemotherapy, then the five-year survival rate will be much lower. The same applies to small cell lung cancer. Generally, small cell lung cancer is more responsive to radiotherapy and chemotherapy, but if it is not, then the five-year survival rate is also low. Thus, this question can only be addressed by considering the individual's pathology stage, nutritional status, physical condition, cardiopulmonary function, and many other factors. It cannot be broadly answered.

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Written by Gong Chun

Oncology

1min 34sec

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What are the symptoms of lung cancer?

The most common symptoms of lung cancer include coughing, particularly irritating coughs, and symptoms of coughing up blood. The blood in the sputum may appear as spots, streaks, or intermittent small amounts. Other symptoms include difficulty breathing and chest pain, as well as potential tightness in the chest, shortness of breath, and fever. Secondly, if lung cancer grows within the thoracic cavity and spreads, invading nearby tissues and organs, it can produce secondary symptoms. For example, paralysis of the phrenic nerve on the same side may lead to difficulty breathing and belching. Compression of the recurrent laryngeal nerve may cause hoarseness; compression of the superior vena cava can lead to distended veins in the face, neck, and upper limbs; subcutaneous edema; and if the pleura is invaded, it can cause pleural effusion, among other symptoms. If lung cancer metastasizes through the bloodstream, it may spread to the brain and potentially lead to symptoms such as headaches, nausea, and vomiting. Metastasis to different regions of the brain might cause various symptoms, including seizures, mental confusion, and vision impairment. In a minority of cases, lung cancer may produce endocrine substances, possibly leading to symptoms like severe muscle weakness, bone and joint pain, and other such symptoms.

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Written by Yuan Qing

Pulmonology

49sec

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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.)