Symptoms

Early symptoms of lung cancer you should beware of!

Why is it important to know about lung cancer symptoms? Well, the survival rate is higher the earlier lung cancer is discovered.

Lung cancer is one of the most dangerous types of cancer because it tends to spread to body organs at an early stage. For this reason, being aware of common lung cancer symptoms is essential - early detection significantly improves the chances of survival!

Lung cancer originates from abnormalities in the basic unit of the body - the cell. In the normal state, cells divide and reproduce according to need. This is brought about by a system of checks and balances built into the organism. Sometimes, however, this orderly system is disrupted and cells divide and proliferate in an uncontrolled manner. They form an abnormal mass referred to as a tumour. Although not all tumours are malignant, those that give rise to lung cancer symptoms are. 

Tumours that are benign usually do not pose a threat and can be removed without spreading to other parts of the body. Malignant tumours, like those of lung cancer, multiply and spread aggressively. They tend to move to other - often distant - parts of the body, in a process called metastasis. 

Lung cancer, in particular, tends to metastasize or spread at an early stage. This makes it difficult to treat and it is one of the most life-threatening cancers around. The malignancy can spread to practically any part of the body. However, certain organs are more prone to being affected - they include the liver, adrenal glands, bone and the brain. 

This tendency to metastasize rapidly makes it imperative that lung cancer be detected as early as possible. Hence, it is critical to be aware of common lung cancer symptoms.

So now we're going to list out those early symptoms of lung cancer, although symptoms are dependent on the types of lung cancer, they generally include the following:

• A cough that doesn't go away

This type of cough lasts longer than usual and is associated with other symptoms that do not go away when treated with normal over the counter medications.  Some incidence also characterizes it as a cough that worsens over time.

• Pain in the chest region

This is a dull, persistent pain in the chest that sometimes extends to the upper part of the abdomen.

• Dyspnea (shortness of breath)

This may be associated with pleural effusion (collection of fluid around the lung), blockage of airflow in a certain part of a lung, or the spread of the tumour throughout the whole lung.

• Hemoptysis (coughing up blood)

This symptom suggests lesions in the lung tissue caused by the abnormal cell growth.  It has marked association with other chronic lung diseases as well including pulmonary tuberculosis.

• Wheezing

• Dysphonia (hoarse voice)

• Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)

This may signify metastasis of the cancer cells to the esophagus.

• Loss of appetite

This is associated with most types of cancers and are unexplainable in nature.

• Sudden, significant drop in weight that isn't the results of dieting or exercise 

• Inexplicable fatigue

• Fever that occurs for no apparent cause

Warning signs of lung cancers are not always present and easy to identify!

What we've mentioned above are the symptoms for primary lung cancer. In up to 25% of people who get lung cancer, the cancer is first discovered on a routine chest X-ray or CT scan as a solitary small mass sometimes called a coin lesion, since on a two-dimensional X-ray or CT scan, the round tumour looks like a coin. These patients with small, single masses often report no symptoms at the time the cancer is discovered.

Symptoms of lung cancer are varied depending upon where and how widespread the tumour is.

Symptoms related to metastasis:

- Lung cancer most often spreads to the liver, adrenal glands, bones and brain. 

- Metastatic lung cancer in the liver usually does not cause symptoms, at least up to 

  the time of diagnosis.

- Metastatic lung cancer in the adrenal glands also typically causes no symptoms. 

- Lung cancer that has metastasized to the bone causes excruciating pain at the sites 

  of bone involvement, usually in the backbone (vertebrae), thighbones and ribs. 

- Cancer that has spread to the brain may cause a number of neurologic symptoms 

  that may include blurred vision, headaches, seizures, or symptoms of stroke such as     

  weakness or loss of sensation in parts of the body. 

Paraneoplastic symptoms:

Paraneoplastic syndromes are the remote, indirect effects of cancer not related to direct invasion of an organ by tumour cells. Often they are caused by chemicals released from the cancers. 

Lung cancers are frequently accompanied by symptoms that result from production of hormone-like substances by the tumour cells. These paraneoplastic syndromes occur most commonly with SCLC but may be seen with any tumour type. A common paraneoplastic syndrome associated with SCLC is the production of a hormone called adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) by the cancer cells, leading to oversecretion of the hormone cortisol by the adrenal glands (Cushing's syndrome). The most frequent paraneoplastic syndrome seen with NSCLC is the production of a substance similar to parathyroid hormone, resulting in elevated levels of calcium in the bloodstream.

Symptoms include the following:

· Clubbing of fingers - the depositing of extra tissue under the fingernails

· New bone formation - along the lower legs or arms

· Anemia - low numbers of red blood cells and high calcium level or low sodium level in  

  the blood

· Weight loss

· Fatigue

· Low sodium levels

· Other effects - muscle weakness, skin rashes, and degeneration of the brain

Non-specific symptoms:

Non-specific symptoms seen with many cancers, including lung cancers, include weight loss, weakness and fatigue. Psychological symptoms such as depression and mood changes are also common. 

Reference : http://www.emedicinehealth.com/lung_cancer/page3_em.htm#Lung Cancer Symptoms
                            http://www.medicinenet.com/lung_cancer/page4.htm#toce

To be more specific, the symptoms also varies for two major categories of lung cancers: small cell lung cancer and non small cell lung cancer. 

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC), also known as small cell lung carcinoma, arises mostly within the lung, and is associated with smoking. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), also called non-small cell lung carcinoma, refers to any other epithelial lung cancer other than SCLC. It is divided into 3 main subtypes, namely adenocarcinoma, squamous cell lung carcinoma and large-cell lung carcinorma.

You can read more about the symptoms here! :)

Stages of Lung Cancer

After knowing the symptoms, we must also know the stages of lung cancer. Staging for lung cancer is particularly helpful because it determines the extent to which the cancer cells have spread or metastasized. It also helps oncologists in exploring the possible treatment option for individual patients. Depending on what treatment is indicated for the patient, staging ultimately helps in determining the prognosis of the disease.

Cancer staging also varies for the two major categories of lung cancer: non-small cell lung carcinoma and small cell lung carcinoma. It is normally done prior to surgery and consists of a series of imaging tests and biopsies.

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