Signs & Symptoms of Lung Cancer

According to the Mayo Clinic, lung cancer causes the most deaths in the United States of any type of cancer. More than 90 percent of lung cancer could be prevented by stopping smoking, and other risk factors include exposure to radon, asbestos and secondhand smoke. The symptoms of lung cancer often go unrecognized because they may resemble less serious conditions, which can cause delays in treatment.

Cough

• A worsening of an existing cough or a new cough that does not go away is a symptom of lung cancer.

Blood

• Coughing or spitting up bright red blood is a sign of lung cancer that may not appear until the disease has progressed, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Difficulty Breathing

• Shortness of breath or wheezing without physical exertion may result from decreased lung capacity caused by lung cancer.

Chest Pain

• Chest pain is a sign of lung cancer that may be caused by the pressure of a tumor on or against the lung and chest cavity.

Vocal Problems

• According to the Mayo Clinic, a hoarse voice or scratchy throat may be a sign of lung cancer because of reduced air volume in the lungs.

Pleural Effusion

• Pleural effusion is a buildup of fluid in the chest cavity and may be caused by the body's response to lung cancer or by metastasis into the pleural space.

Metastasis

• A sign of lung cancer is metastasis to other locations, and lung cancer commonly spreads to the brain, bones, lymph glands, liver and adrenal glands.