Clinical manifestations of lung cancer

Written by Hu Zhong Dong
Medical Oncology
Updated on May 04, 2025
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The clinical manifestations of lung cancer may include fever. The reasons for the fever include possible infection, fever caused by the tumor itself, and another symptom is hemoptysis. Blood-streaked sputum or hemoptysis is a common symptom of lung cancer, accounting for about 30% of the initial symptoms. The characteristic of hemoptysis in lung cancer is intermittent and persistent, or repeated minor hemoptysis or blood streaks in sputum. Some patients may have large blood vessel ruptures, tumor cavitation leading to bronchial rupture, also causing massive hemoptysis. Some patients may exhibit coughing, with coughing as the initial symptom in about 35%-75% of cases. If a person's cough changes in nature to a high-pitched metallic sound, especially in smokers, it is crucial to be highly alert to the possibility of lung cancer. Another symptom is hoarseness, which occurs in about 20%-30% of lung cancer patients at various stages of the disease.

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Written by Hu Zhong Dong
Medical Oncology
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What foods should not be eaten with lung cancer?

Lung cancer patients definitely should not smoke. Many lung cancer cases are caused by smoking, and if a patient quits smoking after the onset of the disease, their prognosis is much better compared to those who continue smoking. Additionally, there is advice to avoid certain so-called trigger foods. For cancer patients, the recommended meats are fish and poultry. This recommendation is not really due to the issue of trigger foods but because fish and poultry are easier to digest and absorb. During cancer treatment, the tumor itself causes a significant breakdown of proteins in the body. Since proteins are a fundamental basis for bodily functions, without them, human survival would be nearly impossible. Therefore, it is essential to replenish proteins. The main sources of protein include meat, eggs, dairy products, soy products, and nuts, which are all crucial sources of protein.

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Written by Gong Chun
Oncology
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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 Gong Chun
Oncology
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How is lung cancer caused?

The specific causes of lung cancer are not completely clear, but there are some high-risk factors. Research has shown that lung cancer is influenced by a combination of genetic defects and internal and external environmental carcinogens. It is undeniable that long-term heavy smoking is the most important carcinogenic factor for lung cancer, with the amount and duration of smoking being positively correlated with the incidence of lung cancer. Secondly, environmental factors, such as working with asbestos or in mining areas, are also very relevant to the incidence of lung cancer. Thirdly, irregular eating habits, rest, alcohol consumption, indoor combustion, coal smoke, fumes from kitchen cooking, and carcinogenic substances released from indoor decorations and materials are also related. Fourthly, the body's internal immune status, metabolic abnormalities, genetic factors, and chronic lung infections also have a significant impact.

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Written by Gong Chun
Oncology
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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 Gong Chun
Oncology
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Early symptoms of lung cancer

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.