However, there are often no symptoms until the cancer advances.
Even relatively large tumors may not cause pain or discomfort.
A persistent, chronic cough is one that does not go away and lasts at least eight weeks.
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It can be a dry cough or it can bring up phlegm.
It may keep you up at night, interfering with sleep.
It may even be painful.
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Lung cancer is not the most common reason someone will develop a cough, even apersistent cough.
Coughing is the bodys natural reaction to irritating particles in the throat or lungs.
Acute coughs are often associated with infectious diseases.
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Chronic coughs are likely resulting from irritants, including stomach acids, pollution, or smoke.
They can also be related to other conditions, like asthma.
Smokers coughis a chronic cough related to smoking cigarettes.
Smoking can lead to lung cancer, but a smoker’s cough isnt always a sign of lung cancer.
COPD will keep getting worse and can ultimately be fatal on its own.
Pain may increase when laughing, coughing, or breathing deeplya condition calledpleurisy.
You may breathe heavily even though you haven’t been exerting yourself.
Your chest may also feel tight.
The technical term for coughing up blood ishemoptysis.
These conditions arise when the tumor produces compounds that harm other parts of the body.
More Advanced Symptoms
As lung cancer advances, symptoms will become more prominent.
Youll likely develop these symptoms after the signs above have developed.
Tumors in this part of the lung are more likely to benon-small celland are sometimes called Pancoast tumors.
Coughing up blood or having trouble breathing are two major signs to watch for.
They also can detect other problems that are not cancer but require tests and surgeries.
Summary
Lung cancer doesn’t always cause symptoms in the early stages.
Some people may also cough up blood.
Less common early symptoms can include fatigue or recurring respiratory infections.
Some people may develop conditions triggered by the tumor pressing on certain blood vessels.
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