Lung Cancer Symptoms

Although as many as 25 percent of patients diagnosed with lung cancer display no observable symptoms of the disease, most experience a variety of critical health issues from the cancer. During early stages of lung cancer, symptoms can develop progressively as the cancer grows and sometimes spreads.

Causing between 85 and 90 percent of all lung cancer deaths, smoking tobacco is the leading risk factor for the disease. Exposure to asbestos is another factor that contributes to the development of lung cancer. Asbestos exposure can also cause multiple lung function impairments including mesothelioma, a rare cancer that affects the lining of the lungs and abdomen. Some lung cancers can be difficult to diagnose since early symptoms are common to other less serious conditions.

Primary symptoms like coughing, shortness of breath and chronic chest discomfort are directly correlated with the presence of one or more malignant tumors. Secondary symptoms are also quite common but appear as a result of many noncancerous diseases as well. Only when certain secondary symptoms appear in conjunction can they indicate evidence of lung cancer. These nonspecific symptoms often suggest the spreading of cancer.

In 10 to 20 percent of patients, indirect effects of the cancer can also generate symptoms. Symptoms like fatigue, weight loss and various neurologic issues usually precede diagnosis, but can appear in the later stages of the illness as well.

For answers to any questions regarding lung cancer symptoms or diagnosis, you can request a free informational packet from the Mesothelioma Center. Simply fill out this form and request customized materials tailored to meet your specific medical needs.

Primary Symptoms

When someone is afflicted with lung cancer, the first signs of the disease are likely to affect the respiratory system: lungs, airways and surrounding muscles. Lung cancer tumors typically develop in a patient's central airway, causing a variety of breathing complications. These issues commonly appear simultaneously. Primary symptoms may include:

• A persistent or atypical cough
• Coughing up blood
• Breathlessness
• Wheezing
• A hoarse voice
• General chest discomfort

Before assuming that any of these symptoms are caused by cancer, it is crucial that you seek the opinion of a medical professional. In a 2005 study that reviewed general practitioner records, Hamilton and colleagues proved that the most common presenting symptoms for lung cancer were poor predictors of the eventual diagnosis. Even bloody spit or phlegm is more frequently explained by benign conditions, not lung cancer.

Secondary Symptoms

Nearly one-third of those diagnosed with lung cancer display secondary symptoms, which are distinct from primary symptoms because any number of noncancerous diseases can also cause them to arise. For example, repeated respiratory infections are common in patients diagnosed with lung cancer, but are certainly not exclusive to the disease. An array of noncancerous diseases also can result in these secondary cancer symptoms:

• Repeated pneumonia
• Repeated bronchitis
• Bone pain in the back, thighs or ribs
• Swollen lymph nodes

In a study of 678 consecutive lung cancer patients, 232 displayed secondary symptoms. These symptoms are not on their own definitive indicators of cancer, but when they appear in conjunction with one another, it should be cause for concern. Multiple secondary symptoms usually signals metastasis, the spreading of the disease from its initial location to another part of the body.

Symptoms of metastatic lung tumors vary depending on location and size. About 30 to 40 percent of lung cancer patients display signs of metastatic disease, most often spreading from the lungs to the liver, adrenal glands, bones and the brain. Metastases can be particularly dangerous because lung cancer that spreads to the liver and adrenal glands typically causes no symptoms.

Indirect Symptoms

The presence of lung cancer can elicit several indirect symptoms not caused by tumor cells but possibly from chemicals that weaken the body when released. The resulting symptoms, known as paraneoplastic syndromes, are independent of tumor size and are present in 10 to 20 percent of afflicted patients. Indirect symptoms can include:

• Endocrine, joint and neurologic abnormalities
• Anorexia / weight loss
• Change in appetite
• Constant fatigue
• Nail clubbing
• Pain in ribs, shoulder and vertebrae
• Vision loss
• Hyperglycemia / hypoglycemia

The exact mechanism by which these symptoms occur is not fully understood. In many cases it appears to be related to chemicals the cancer cells emit or antibodies that are released to fight to the cancer.

Asymptomatic Cases

Approximately 75 percent of patients with lung cancer will exhibit some combination of the primary, secondary or indirect symptoms listed above. On the other hand, a minority of cancer patients are diagnosed despite showing none of these symptoms at all. In these cases the cancer is discovered incidentally, usually through an abnormal or chest X-ray taken for other reasons.

In the initial presentation of 1,277 consecutive lung cancer patients who were diagnosed at a single center in Italy from 1989 to 2002, Buccheri and Ferrigno observed that asymptomatic patients demonstrate a better five-year survival rate. The asymptomatic patients had an 18 percent survival rate, as opposed to 12 percent for those with primary symptoms, 6 percent with secondary symptoms and 0 percent for those with metastatic disease. However, only 154 of these patients (13 percent) were asymptomatic at the time of diagnosis.

Asbestos and Lung Cancer

Asbestos, a naturally occurring group of fibrous minerals, is recognized as a human carcinogen by the Department of Health and Human Services, the World Health Organization and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). When products containing asbestos are disturbed, microscopic fibers are released into the air. Once inhaled, fibers can become trapped in the lungs for extended periods of time and increase the risk of developing inflammation, scarring, lung cancer and mesothelioma. In a 2001 study, Haus et al stated that as much as 4 percent of all lung cancer diagnosed annually in the United States can be attributed to asbestos.

Confronting Symptoms

If you are diagnosed with lung cancer or experience any of its common symptoms, it is highly recommended that you seek timely and efficient care. Chest X-rays play a pivotal role in the diagnosis of lung cancer, and only experienced physicians can determine the underlying causes of cancer symptoms.

It is equally important for you to provide a thorough history of your medical background, undergo a comprehensive physical examination and take standard laboratory tests to screen for the increased possibility of metastatic disease. One study found that patients tend to ignore high-risk symptoms for up to one year before consulting a doctor, a factor that possibly contributes to lung cancer's high mortality rate. The British Thoracic Society recommends that all patients who suspect lung cancer should seek an evaluation by a respiratory specialist within seven days and that the results are returned within two weeks. Diagnosis may take several months, but beginning the process as soon as possible helps to increase treatment options and survival rate.

If you would like assistance in choosing a doctor experienced in diagnosing asbestos-related lung cancer, please contact the Mesothelioma Center's Doctor Match Program.

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