Signs and Symptoms of Lung Cancer

Medically reviewed by Gagandeep Brar, MD

Signs of lung cancer include chest pain, a nagging cough, coughing up blood, and large, bulging nails. It can be hard to detect lung cancer in the early stages. Symptoms usually start mild and then progress slowly.

Lung cancer happens when cancer cells form in the lung tissue and the lining of your air passages. The two main types of lung cancer are small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Lung cancer is the second most common cancer in the United States and the leading cause of cancer death for both men and women. Knowing the warning signs of lung cancer is important so you can get tested for the condition early. Getting tested for cancer may feel scary, but an early diagnosis helps improve treatment outcomes and can prolong your life.

Related: Signs and Symptoms of Anal Cancer

Early Symptoms

Lung cancer symptoms in the early stages can sometimes mimic other conditions or be undetectable altogether. There are very few nerve endings in the lungs, which allows a cancerous tumor to grow without pain, discomfort, or other noticeable symptoms.

You may start to experience the following if you develop symptoms in the early stages:

• A cough that gets worse over time

• Chest pain or discomfort

• Frequent respiratory infections

• Hoarse voice

• Nail clubbing, which causes softened nail beds that look like they are floating and bulging fingertips

• Shortness of breath

• Wheezing

Progressive Symptoms

You might experience more aggressive symptoms as lung cancer grows and spreads. One sign of progressive lung cancer is repeated lung infections, such as pneumonia or bronchitis. These infections may be ongoing if you have a tumor in your lungs.

Other progressive lung cancer symptoms may include:

• Chest pain that worsens when taking a deep breath, coughing, or laughing

• Coughing up blood

• Difficulty breathing

• Enlarged lymph nodes

• Fatigue or feeling more tired than usual

• Headaches

• Loss of appetite

• Swelling in your face

• Trouble swallowing

• Unintentional weight loss

• Weakness

Coughing up blood in large quantities or too often can be a medical emergency. Please reach out to a healthcare provider right away or call 911 for immediate attention.

Some lung cancers can also cause other syndromes that affect different body parts. Treatments for lung cancer can reverse or completely resolve these syndromes.

Progressive lung cancer can cause conditions like:

• Horner syndrome: This is caused by tumors in the upper part of the lungs. Symptoms may include drooping of one eyelid, a smaller pupil in the same eye, and a lack of sweating on the same side of the face. Horner syndrome is more common in NSCLC.

• Paraneoplastic syndromes: This group of syndromes often occurs with SCLC. Some examples include blood clots, nervous system problems, too much calcium in the blood (hypercalcemia), and Cushing's syndrome. This condition occurs when cancer cells make too much cortisol (stress hormone).

• Superior vena cava syndrome: Tumors in the chest can put pressure on the superior vena cava. This large vein carries blood from the head and arms to the heart. This syndrome causes blood to back up in the veins. Symptoms include dizziness, headaches, and swelling in the face, neck, arms, and chest.

It's important to note that other non-cancerous lung conditions may cause frequent infections or respiratory (lung-related) symptoms. Consider seeing a healthcare provider if you notice a change in symptoms or overall health.

End Stage Symptoms

Once lung cancer metastasizes (spreads) to other areas of the body, other symptoms may occur. Later stages of lung cancer tend to cause a general sense of not feeling well. The end-stage symptoms of lung cancer can affect any area of the body, depending on where the cancer has spread. Lung cancer cells may often spread to the bones, nervous system, and liver.

Bone symptoms of end-stage lung cancer may include:

• Frequent bone fractures

• Pain in the back or hips

Nervous system symptoms of end-stage lung cancer may include:

• Dizziness

• Headaches

• Lack of balance

• Muscle weakness

• Numbness

• Seizures

Liver-related symptoms of end-stage lung cancer may include:

• Abdominal pain

• Yellowing of the skin and eyes

When To Contact a Healthcare Provider

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States. It's vital to see a healthcare provider as soon as you develop any signs or symptoms of this condition.

It's especially important to see a healthcare provider if you develop signs of lung cancer when you are considered high-risk for this disease. Risk factors for lung cancer include smoking tobacco and exposure to hazardous materials such as radon, asbestos, or secondhand smoke.

See a healthcare provider if you develop any of the following signs of lung cancer:

• Chest pain that worsens with deep breathing

• Cough that gets progressively worse

• Coughing up blood

• Recurrent lung infections

Lung cancer cannot always be prevented, but it's possible to lower your risk. The most important step you can take is quitting smoking. Talk with a healthcare provider if you are ready to reduce or quit your tobacco use and need some support in reaching this goal.

Related: Signs and Symptoms of Esophageal Cancer

A Quick Review

Lung cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the cells that line the lungs and airways. Lung cancer is the second most common cancer in the United States and the leading cause of cancer death in both men and women.

Lung cancer symptoms can go unnoticed. Early stages of lung cancer can mimic other conditions or not cause any symptoms at all. The earliest signs of lung cancer usually include difficulty breathing, chronic coughing, hoarseness, wheezing, and chest pain.

Symptoms can develop in other parts of the body as the cancer spreads. Signs of progressive lung cancer may include fatigue, loss of appetite, weakness, unintentional weight loss, and headaches. Symptoms of end-stage lung cancer can also affect the bones, nervous system, and liver.

See a healthcare provider right away if you develop any signs of lung cancer, especially if you have a history of smoking. Getting tested for lung cancer can be scary, and this feeling is normal. Knowing the symptoms and receiving an early diagnosis can get you started on treatment sooner and improve your quality of life.

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What do nails look like with lung cancer?

Nail clubbing most often occurs with lung cancer, especially in people with low blood oxygen levels. Symptoms of nail clubbing include:

• Large, bulging fingertips that are warm and red

• Nails that curve downward like an upside-down spoon

• Nails that form sharp angles where they meet the cuticle

• Softened nail beds that look like they're "floating"

2. What are the hidden signs of lung cancer?

Some of the most common lung cancer symptoms include a worsening cough and chest pain. Hidden signs of lung cancer, in contrast, may include:

• Arm or shoulder pain

• Bone pain

• Eye problems

• Headaches

• Hypercalcemia (excess calcium levels), which causes digestive problems

• Nail clubbing

• Swelling of the arms, chest, and neck

• Trouble balancing

• Unintended weight gain or loss

3. Is shoulder pain a sign of lung cancer?

Severe shoulder pain may be a sign of a rare type of lung cancer called a Pancoast tumor. This type of tumor grows in the upper part of the lungs and is likely to be NSCLC.

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