Symptoms of lung cancer
Lung cancer doesn't always cause symptoms in its early stages. Many of the signs and symptoms can also be caused by other medical conditions but finding lung cancer early can mean that it's easier to treat. So if you notice any symptoms or changes get them checked out by your GP as soon as possible.
The most common symptoms of lung cancer are:
- having a new cough or a cough most of the time
- getting out of breath doing the things you used to do without a problem
- coughing up phlegm (sputum) with blood in it
- having an ache or pain in the chest or shoulder
- chest infections that keep coming back or a chest infection that doesn't get better
- losing your appetite
- feeling tired all the time (fatigue)
- losing weight
In the video below, Gerard talks about the lung cancer symptoms he had. The video is 1 minute and 14 seconds long.
I just knew it wasn't me and something not right
I wasn't eating right,
and always tired,
I just put it down to my age,
Because my wife and my daughter
made me go to the doctor's, I was able to
benefit from chemotherapy and radiotherapy
and I'm very, very thankful for the treatments.
I'm not cured but I'm living with it and I'm happy with that.
I feel 100% now.
The most common symptoms of lung cancer are:
having a new cough or a cough most of the time
breathlessness
coughing up blood
having an ache or pain the chest or shoulder
chest infections that keep coming back or don't get better
losing your appetite
feeling tired all the time for no reason
losing weight without trying to
These symptoms can be caused by other conditions, not just cancer.
But if you do have any of theses symptoms or anything else that is not normal for you, contact you GP.
They can examine you and do tests if necessary.
Find out more about the symptoms of lung cancer: cruk.org/lung-cancer-symptoms
Lung changes that show on an x-ray
Sometimes doctors might find some unusual changes on your chest x-ray. Your doctor might have arranged an x-ray for other reasons, and you might not have any symptoms.
Changes on a chest x-ray don’t always mean that you have lung cancer. There can be other causes, such as an infection. But your doctor might arrange other tests to look further at the changes.
Changes in the shape of your fingers and fingernails
Some people have swollen fingers and nails (finger clubbing). This is more common in non small cell lung cancer.
They may also have pain and swelling in their joints. This condition is called hypertrophic pulmonary osteoarthropathy (HPOA).
Hormone related symptoms
It is rare, but some types of lung cancer cells produce hormones that go into the bloodstream. These hormones can cause symptoms that don’t seem related to lung cancer. Doctors call them paraneoplastic syndrome. It is more common in small cell lung cancer.
These hormone symptoms might include:
- feeling and being sick (nausea and vomiting)
- headaches
- confusion or trouble thinking clearly
- feeling weak or tired
- feeling restless or irritable
- muscle weakness, spasms, cramps or aches
- seizures or passing out
- difficulty walking and climbing stairs
- difficulty lifting objects or raising the arms
- drooping eyelids, dry eyes and blurred vision
- swallowing problems
- dizziness when standing up
- a dry mouth
- constipation
- not being able to get and maintain an erection (erectile dysfunction)
- strength that temporarily improves when exercising, but then reduces as exercise continues
Pancoast tumours
A very rare type of lung cancer growing right at the top of the lung is called a Pancoast tumour. These tumours cause very specific symptoms.
The most common symptom is severe shoulder pain. Pain might travel down the arm or up the head and neck.
Pancoast tumours can also cause a collection of symptoms called Horner's syndrome. These are:
- drooping or weakness of one eyelid
- a small pupil in the same eye
- loss of sweating on one side of the face
The symptoms of Horner syndrome are caused by the tumour pressing on or damaging a nerve that runs up from the neck to that side of the face.
Symptoms of metastatic lung cancer
You might have other symptoms if you have metastatic cancer.