While there are basically two classifications of lung cancer--small cell lung cancer (SCLC) or non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)--the signs of the disease will be fairly similar in both. Yet, these symptoms will vary from person to person due in large part to whether the tumor is still confined (as in Stage III) or metastasized (as in Stage IV), and whether any other systems of the body have been disrupted. Surprisingly, most of the signs or symptoms related to this disease do not present themselves until the cancer has advanced. Early detection usually comes about during a routine checkup or screening. If you're concerned that you have lung cancer in an advanced stage, there are a number of signs you can look for.
Respiratory Problems
Most people with lung cancer will have a persistent cough that generally worsens as time goes on. This will often be accompanied by the presence of a small or large amount of blood, usually during a coughing spell. Many people will also experience a shortness of breath, giving the feeling that something is blocking a portion of your lungs. Additionally, about 25 percent of lung cancer patients will suffer chest pains. This dull, almost aching pain is usually isolated to the area surrounding the lungs, so you'll essentially feel the sensation behind the rib cage.
Respiratory Infections
Another relatively common sign of lung cancer is frequent respiratory infections. This would be chronic bronchitis, which is generally defined as an inflammation of the bronchial tubes due to a viral infection that lasts over three weeks, yet comes and goes with some regularity. Pneumonia can also be a symptom of lung cancer. Both chronic bronchitis and pneumonia have a series of symptoms that an individual with lung cancer may also experience during his time of infection, including a fever, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, rapid heartbeat, fatigue and a shortness of breath. These particular symptoms are not related specifically to lung cancer, and should only be used as an indication of these infections, not the disease.
Weight Loss
Many times people with advanced lung cancer will experience unexplained weight loss. This is due in part to the metabolic alteration caused by the cancer cells, making the body process food at a faster rate than normal. This, coupled with the fact that most people with cancer suffer loss of appetite, exacerbates the dropping in weight. You're essentially taking in less food, yet burning more calories.
Skeletal Problems
When lung cancer metastasizes as seen in Stage IV, it will often spread to the bones. Once the cancer has spread to your skeletal system, you will often experience pain in the bone at particular points of the body. Ordinarily, this pain will be isolated to the ribs, the vertebrae of the spine and the bones of the thighs. These areas are of a closer proximity to the origin of the cancer. This pain doesn't necessarily mean you'll be much more susceptible to breaks. It's just an indication that the lung cancer has metastasized.
Brain Function
Besides spreading to the bones, Stage IV lung cancer can frequently metastasize to the brain. When this happens, you will experience very precise signs and symptoms. In these cases, people will suffer difficulties in vision, like blurred and distorted sight. They will also face a weakness that is isolated to one side of their body. Furthermore, this can be accompanied by seizures or even brain degeneration.
Other Signs
Advanced-stage lung cancer can also elicit a few other signs that the disease is present in your system. You may feel fatigued or become anemic. Symptoms of anemia include jaundice, brownish urine, bruising and kidney problems.
Tags: lung cancer, lung cancer, people with, will often, also experience