symptoms of lung cancer

symptoms of lung cancer

Lung cancer is cancer that begins in the lungs, the two organs found in the chest that help you breathe.

The lungs are made up of areas called lobes. The right lung has three lobes; the left lung has two, so there's room for the heart. When you breathe, air goes through your nose, down your windpipe (trachea), and into the lungs where it spreads through tubes called bronchi. Most lung cancer begins in the cells that line these tubes.


There are two main types of lung cancer:

    Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common type of lung cancer.
    Small cell lung cancer makes up about 20% of all lung cancer cases.

If the lung cancer is made up of both types, it is called mixed small cell/large cell cancer.

If the cancer started somewhere else in the body and spread to the lungs, it is called metastatic cancer to the lung.
Causes

Lung cancer is the deadliest type of cancer for both men and women. Each year, more people die of lung cancer than breast, colon, and prostate cancers combined.

Lung cancer is more common in older adults. It is rare in people under age 45.

Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer.

The more cigarettes you smoke per day and the earlier you started smoking, the greater your risk of lung cancer. There is no evidence that smoking low-tar cigarettes lowers the risk.

However, lung cancer has occurred in people who have never smoked.

Secondhand smoke (breathing the smoke of others) increases your risk of lung cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 3,000 non-smoking adults will die each year from lung cancer related to breathing secondhand smoke.

The following may also increase one's risk of lung cancer:

    High levels of air pollution
    High levels of arsenic in drinking water
    Radon gas
    Asbestos
    Family history of lung cancer
    Radiation therapy to the lungs
    Exposure to cancer-causing chemicals such as uranium, beryllium, vinyl chloride, nickel chromates, coal products, mustard gas, chloromethyl ethers, gasoline, and diesel exhaust

Symptoms

Early lung cancer may not cause any symptoms. Many times, lung cancer is found when an x-ray is done for another reason.

Symptoms depend on the specific type of cancer you have, but may include:

    Cough that doesn't go away
    Coughing up blood
    Shortness of breath
    Wheezing
    Chest pain
    Loss of appetite
    Losing weight without trying
    Fatigue

Additional symptoms that may also occur with lung cancer:

    Weakness
    Swallowing difficulty
    Nail problems
    Joint pain
    Hoarseness or changing voice
    Swelling of the face
    Facial paralysis
    Eyelid drooping
    Bone pain or tenderness

These symptoms can also be due to other, less serious conditions, so it is important to talk to your health care provider.

For more information, see:

    Small cell lung cancer
    Non-small cell lung cancer

Exams and Tests

The health care provider will perform a physical exam and ask questions about your medical history. You will be asked if you smoke, and if so, how long you have smoked.

When listening to the chest with a stethoscope, the health care provider can sometimes hear fluid around the lungs, which could (but doesn't always) suggest cancer.

Tests that may be performed include:

    Chest x-ray
    Sputum cytology test to look for cancer cells
    Blood work
    CT scan of the chest
    MRI of the chest
    Positron emission tomography (PET) scan

In some cases, the health care provider may need to remove a piece of tissue from your lungs for examination under a microscope. This is called a biopsy. There are several ways to do this:

    Bronchos-copy combined with biopsy
    Pleural biopsy
    CT scan directed needle biopsy
    Mediastinoscopy with biopsy
    Open lung biopsy

For more information, see:

    Small cell lung cancer
    Non-small cell lung cancer

Treatment

Treatment depends on the specific type of lung cancer. Each type is treated differently. Chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery may be needed.

See the individual articles on the different types of lung cancer:

    Non-small cell lung cancer
    Small cell lung cancer

Outlook (Prognosis)

How well a patient does depends on the following:

    Type of lung cancer
    Whether or not the cancer has spread
    Your age
    Your overall health
    How well you respond to treatment

The earlier the cancer is found, the better the chances of survival. Lung cancer is a deadly disease. Nearly 60% of people with lung cancer die within a year. However, some people are cured and go on to live many years.
Possible Complications

The cancer may spread to other parts of the body (metastasis). Cancer treatment can cause significant side effects.
When to Contact a Medical Professional

Call your health care provider if you develop symptoms of lung cancer (particularly if you smoke).
Prevention

If you smoke, quit. It is never too late to stop smoking. You should also avoid breathing in the smoke from other people's cigarettes, cigars, or pipes.

Eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables may help prevent some cases of lung cancer.