Early Symptoms of Lung Cancer
by Beth G. Hodges, MD

Everyone over the age of forty, especially smokers, should be aware of the early symptoms of lung cancer. Only 25% of lung cancer victims are identified accidentally or through screening, which means that 75% are found because of symptoms, which often means the cancer has spread beyond the earliest stages.

While the symptoms are largely nonspecific and could all have causes other than lung cancer, they need to be reported to a physician so an evaluation can take place. Ignoring them could result in a delay in diagnosis, making treatment more difficult.

Development of a new, chronic, persistent cough is of concern, especially in a smoker or person with a smoking history. There can be many causes, but an evaluation should be done and should include a chest radiograph (x-ray) if one has not been done very recently.

Coughing up blood, no matter how much or how little, should always be reported to a physician. As with the cough, the lung may be the source, or it could be coming from the gastrointestinal tract or the sinuses, but that is for the doctor to determine.

Shortness of breath, at rest or with exertion, is also not normal and should be reported immediately. This is not something a physician can evaluate over the phone, so a face-to face visit is best.

Persistent chest wall pain, usually dull or achy or deep, can be a symptom of lung cancer that has spread into the chest wall or bone. Nocturnal pain waking the person from sleep is especially concerning.

Pain in other bones can also indicate cancer spread and should be evaluated.

Unintentional weight loss and unexplained fatigue are very nonspecific symptoms that can have many causes but are also often found in hindsight once a patient has been diagnosed with lung cancer. It is often the workup for weight loss that finds a cancer diagnosis, especially in someone over 60 years of age.

If a person has several of the above-mentioned early symptoms of lung cancer, a visit with a physician should be made as soon as these symptoms are identified. Early detection is the best hope for increased survival in this difficult to treat cancer.

Published - September, 2009