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IV Lung Cancer Symptoms

Lung cancer is a form of cancer that begins with a malignant tumor in the lungs. Much like any other form of cancer, it often advances into different stages of the disease. With stage IV lung cancer, the cancer has now progressed to the point where the tumor is no longer contained within the lungs. Cancerous cells have metastasized into other areas of the body, not just neighboring organs. In stage IV lung cancer, you can expect the abnormal cells to spread into the lymph nodes, brain, bones, liver or kidneys. When this happens, symptoms not only involve the respiratory system but other systems as well.

  1. Respiratory Difficulties

    • Of all the symptoms of stage IV lung cancer, respiratory difficulties are by far the most common. You'll not only suffer from a chronic cough but also a shortness of breath that is often accompanied by wheezing and hoarseness. You may also notice a certain amount of pain emanating from the chest. This pain varies in degrees of intensity, running from a dull ache to a sharp, almost jabbing pain. For some, this pain is felt as more of heaviness or tightness within the chest and lungs.

    Pain

    • Besides the pain you feel within the chest, stage IV lung cancer can also cause a deep pain within the back, abdomen or pelvis, namely when the cancer has spread to the bone. In the later stages of lung cancer, abnormal cells commonly invade the bones of these areas of the body. However, any bone can be affected by this disease, so you may experience this deep pain along any bone containing metastatic cancerous cells.

    Cognitive Disruptions

    • When lung cancer spreads to the brain, you can begin to suffer from symptoms involving your cognitive health. Depending on the severity of the metastasis, these symptoms range from subtle to pronounced disruptions. From some, frequent headaches become a problem. For others, a certain sense of confusion or loss of orientation affects their cognitive health. Metastatic lung cancer may cause someone to suffer from seizures or even a change in personality. It could cause difficulties in speech or movement.

    Digestive Issues

    • It isn't uncommon, especially in the later stages of lung cancer, for you to suffer from a certain amount of digestive issues, including nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite and weight loss. These symptoms may be a result of cancerous cells spreading to the brain as well as the stomach, liver or kidneys.

    Jaundice

    • If the cancer spreads to the liver, as is likely with stage IV lung cancer, you may begin to experience a yellowing of the skin and eyes, more commonly known as jaundice. As jaundice develops, it is often accompanied by weakness, exhaustion or fatigue.

    Bleeding

    • In some case of stage IV lung cancer, the abnormal cells have spread to the kidneys, which often cause some level of internal bleeding. This bleeding usually presents itself within the urine, triggering a change in color from yellow to pink, red or brown.

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