Lung Cancer Symptoms
Lung Cancer Symptoms at a Glance
Scientists are now finding out that lung cancers could stay dormant for as long a period of 20 years or longer before unexpectedly transforming into an aggressive type of the disease. What this means is that you may not realize you got lung cancer for many years.
There are two major types of lung cancer: non-small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer.
Lung Cancer Causes
Causes of lung cancer range from general smoking, secondhand smoking, exposure to specific toxins to family history, or genetics.
Most Common Lung Cancer Symptoms
Bear in mind that the majority of these symptoms are most likely to be brought about by something other than only lung cancer. Thus, if you exhibit any of these symptoms, you are advised to see your physician immediately.
Here are the most common symptoms of lung cancer:
- Feeling exhausted or weak
- Loss of appetite
- A persistent cough or one that doesn't get worse
- Shortness of breath
- Inexplicable weight loss
- Chest pain which feels worse frequently with laughing, deep breathing, or coughing
- Coughing up rust-colored sputum (phlegm or split) or blood
- New bout of wheezing
- Hoarseness
- Infections like pneumonia or bronchitis which persist or keep returning
Also, know that if your lung cancer start spreading to other parts of your body, it might cause the following:
- Swelling of lymph nodes
- Bone pain
- Yellowing of eyes and skin from cancer spreading to your liver
- Nervous system changes that result in headaches, numbness of arms, legs, dizziness, seizures, or balance problems
