Is coughing severe in the early stages of lung cancer?

Written by An Yong Peng
Pulmonology
Updated on December 10, 2024
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Patients with lung cancer in the early stages may experience severe coughing, mild coughing, or no coughing symptoms at all. Many early-stage lung cancer patients have lesions located near the periphery of the lungs that do not involve the airways or other significant structures, typically resulting in no clinical symptoms. By the time clinical symptoms appear, the patient may already be in the middle or late stages of lung cancer. Additionally, it is important to note that some patients with early-stage lung cancer may also experience coughing, which can range from severe to mild, and may include coughing up blood. Such symptoms are often seen in early-stage central lung cancer, which frequently presents with cough and blood in the sputum. Therefore, older patients with a long history of smoking who suddenly develop a cough or start coughing up blood should be highly vigilant and likely need to undergo chest CT scans, bronchoscopy, and other related examinations for evaluation.

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Will early-stage lung cancer cause coughing up blood?

Patients with lung cancer, in the early stage, may have symptoms of coughing up blood. Some patients not only cough up blood but may also experience coughing or coughing up phlegm. In more severe cases, there may be symptoms of fever or difficulty breathing, and some may experience chest tightness or chest pain. If such conditions are detected, timely treatment is necessary to effectively alleviate the symptoms. It is recommended to consider chemotherapy or radiotherapy for treatment. Patients themselves must pay attention to rest and avoid excessive fatigue.

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Does shoulder pain mean lung cancer?

The most common cause of shoulder pain is chronic strain of the ligaments and muscles in the shoulder, not lung cancer. Lung cancer accounts for only a small portion of the reasons. If a patient has lung cancer, it can spread to the shoulder, or the lung cancer itself can produce a type of referred pain, which can cause shoulder pain. To determine the cause, it is necessary to go to the hospital for an X-ray of the shoulder joint or a plain chest film, as well as an MRI of the shoulder joint, to clarify the cause of the shoulder pain. If the pain is solely due to the muscles or ligaments in the shoulder, it can be relieved through conservative treatments such as massage, acupuncture, electrotherapy, and magnetotherapy.

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Written by Hu Zhong Dong
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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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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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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.