Lung Cancer Symptoms & Treatments

Lung cancer claims more lives in the United States each year than any other cancer. Lung cancer takes more lives than breast, colon, lymph and prostate cancer combined. Smoking is believed to be the leading cause of lung cancer. Exposure to asbestos and radon will increase a person's risk to lung cancer, as does secondhand smoke. Since lung cancer is often caused by specific lifestyle choices, it is a preventable disease.

Early Stages

• In the early stages of lung cancer, there may be no symptoms. Symptoms normally occur after the disease has progressed.

Coughing

• Chronic coughing is one symptom of lung cancer. It might include coughing up blood.

Breathing

• Difficulty breathing, shortness of breath and wheezing are symptoms of lung cancer.

Pain

• Chest pains can be a symptom of lung cancer.

Voice

• A hoarse voice can be a symptom of lung cancer.

Surgery

• Treatment for lung cancer might include surgery. This can be to remove a small section of the lung, an entire lobe of one lung or the entire lung.

Treatments

• Treatments for lung cancer can also include radiation therapy, chemotherapy or drug therapy.