Symptoms of malignant transformation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Written by Yang Feng
Pulmonology
Updated on February 17, 2025
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Firstly, cancer transformation is not the main complication of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but both COPD and lung cancer share a common cause, which is smoking. Therefore, COPD and lung cancer are generally considered two different diseases, and the symptoms of COPD combined with lung cancer are mainly those of lung cancer, typically including irritating dry cough, blood-streaked sputum, weight loss, etc. Thus, lung imaging studies can be used to preliminarily determine the possibility of cancer in patients, and further diagnostic steps can be chosen based on the patient’s imaging and related symptoms, including biopsy, bronchoscopy, etc.

Other Voices

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Written by Wang Chun Mei
Pulmonology
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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 Hu Zhong Dong
Medical Oncology
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incidence of lung cancer

In recent years, the incidence of tumors has continued to rise, becoming a major killer threatening public health. According to global cancer statistics from 2015, in 2012, there were approximately 14 million new cases of cancer worldwide. Among these, lung cancer had an incidence of 1.8 million, accounting for 13% of all cancer cases. It is the type of cancer most frequently diagnosed and is also the leading cause of cancer death among men globally and women in developed countries. So, what is the current situation of lung cancer incidence in our country? The National Health Commission has stated that in 2014, there were about 3.804 million new cancer cases in China, with lung cancer having the highest incidence at 181,000 cases. Lung cancer presents complex clinical symptoms and its early symptoms are relatively mild, leading many patients to seek medical advice only in the late stages, thereby missing the optimal treatment window.

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Written by Gong Chun
Oncology
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What fruits to eat for lung cancer

For lung cancer, it is appropriate to eat some green, natural, seasonal fruits. Generally, there are not too many fruits that cannot be eaten; there are no strict prohibitions against any particular fruit. You can eat apples, pears, bananas, oranges, watermelons, cantaloupes, and any such naturally green fruits, especially if they are unpolluted and in season. Therefore, generally speaking, there are not many fruits that people with lung cancer cannot eat. However, one should consume fruit in moderation. For instance, lychees are now in season, but as lychees are considered warm and heat-inducing, it is advisable to eat them in moderation.

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Written by Liu Liang
Oncology
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Dietary therapy for lung cancer

In the diet of lung cancer patients, Western medicine does not have the concept of "trigger foods" like Chinese medicine does. According to Western medicine, there are no specific dietary restrictions; the focus is on maintaining a balanced diet as usual, incorporating meat, proteins, vegetables, and fruits to ensure nutritional balance. Generally, lung cancer patients may experience coughing symptoms, so it is advisable to consume a light diet avoiding oily fried foods. Extremely spicy foods can provoke irritative coughing and worsen it, so they should be avoided, along with barbecued and pickled foods, and junk food. Other than that, the diet should be similar to a normal balanced diet. For patients undergoing chemotherapy, a high-protein diet is recommended, preferably consisting of steamed or stewed dishes. These can be combined with traditional Chinese medicinal herbs such as Astragalus, American ginseng, and Dong quai, which are known to boost energy and enhance resistance, thus aiding in dietary therapy to strengthen the patient's immunity.

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Written by An Yong Peng
Pulmonology
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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.