Signs to Watch Out For With Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is when you have uncontrolled cell growth in your lungs. You have a higher risk of developing lung cancer if you smoke. Lung cancer doesn’t cause many symptoms at first, but as the cancer gets more advanced, you may notice changes in your health. Not all new symptoms mean your lung cancer has worsened. Some changes may be a normal side effect of the cancer or treatment. It is important to take note of any changes in your health and report them to your doctor. 

Everyone coughs sometimes. If you have a cough that won’t go away, tell your doctor. An ongoing cough may signal blockage to your airways associated with lung cancer. Your doctor will help you consider available treatment options.
 

Shortness of breath is a common symptom of lung cancer. You might feel like you can’t inhale enough air or notice your chest feels tight. You could even feel like you’re suffocating. It may mean the cancer has expanded to block your airways. It could also be a result of excess fluid around your heart and lungs that makes it harder for you to breathe fully. Talk to your doctor about treatment options. Your doctor may be able to drain the excess fluid. Inhalers or portable oxygen tanks could be recommended to you. Treatment may reduce your risk of accumulating fluid in your chest again. 

It is common to cough up blood if you have lung cancer. The blood often comes out of your mouth combined with saliva or mucus. If you notice blood when you cough and have been diagnosed with lung cancer, there could be bleeding in your airways. Talk to your doctor about treatments to regulate the bleeding. 

Pain, especially in the chest, is a common sign of lung cancer. If your lung cancer spreads to other parts of the body, you may notice pain in your bones. A sharp pain in your shoulder could signal a rare type of lung cancer tumor located at the top of your lung. Talk to your doctor if you experience pain after a lung cancer diagnosis. There are many treatments to help manage your pain.

Weight loss can occur naturally with changes to your diet, exercise routine, and more. Unexplained weight loss is a common symptom of lung cancer. In some cases, it could suggest your lung cancer has spread to other parts of your body. You can address unintentional weight loss by adding healthy proteins into your diet and eating high-calorie foods. Talk to your doctor about dietary guidance that could work for you.
 

You might notice you don’t feel hungry or a desire to eat as much as you used to. This is a common side effect of lung cancer. In some cases, your lung cancer may release hormones that make you feel less hungry. It could also be a sign your cancer has spread to other parts of the body. Reduced appetite is also a common symptom of chemotherapy and immunotherapy treatments.

Lung cancer can cause your voice to sound hoarse or make you wheeze while you breathe and speak. In some cases, you may notice your voice go up in pitch. You could lose your voice completely. This happens because sometimes lung cancer affects the nerves around your vocal chords. It could also be due to a lung cancer tumor that has spread and now puts pressure on your vocal chords. 

Nausea is the sensation of feeling dizzy inside or like you want to vomit. Almost everyone will feel sick to their stomach at some point in their lives. If you have lung cancer, nausea could be a sign your cancer has spread to other parts of your body. It can also be a side effect of certain treatments or related to pain or anxiety you experience. In rare cases, it may be caused by hormones your lung cancer releases into the bloodstream. 

Headaches happen when you feel pain, tightness, or discomfort around your head or face. Headaches are extremely common. Most people will get a headache more than once in their lives. If you have lung cancer, headaches could be a sign your cancer has spread to your brain. A headache could also be the result of certain cancer-related hormones released into your bloodstream. In other cases, a headache may be a symptom of a tumor that is blocking blood in your veins. It is important to see a doctor, as this can be life-threatening and needs immediate treatment.

If you notice your face or neck bulges out, appears puffy, or has expanded in ways it didn’t before, it may be a sign of swelling. If you have lung cancer, small, bean-shaped organs in your neck called lymph nodes may become swollen when the cancer spreads outside your lungs. In some cases, your tumor’s location could cause blocked blood flow in certain veins. That can lead to swelling in your chest, arms, neck, and face. You may also notice a purple tinge to your skin in swollen areas. See a doctor for diagnosis to prevent life-threatening complications. 

A new sensation of numbness, tingling, or weakness in your arms or legs could mean there is something affecting your nervous system. In lung cancer, this may happen when your cancer spreads to your brain. Your brain sends signals throughout your body. You may notice sensory changes when your brain’s ability to send messages is impacted. Numbness, tingling, and weakness in joints can also be associated with chemotherapy treatment.

If you notice your skin or eyes become yellow, it could be a sign your lung cancer has spread. It is most commonly a sign the cancer has spread to your liver. Consult with your doctor to discuss treatment options. 

A rare type of lung cancer tumor called a Pancoast tumor can cause noticeable changes to your face. That’s because this kind of tumor can damage or put pressure on your facial and eye nerves. You will usually notice changes to only one side of your face. Telltale signs include a droopy eyelid, smaller eye pupil, and reduced sweating on one side of your face. In some cases you may not be able to move your face at all. This is usually a sign your lung cancer has spread into your neck. Consult with your doctor about treatment options.