There aren’t always noticeable symptoms in the early stages of lung cancer, but early screening can help those who have a high risk factor.
Lung cancer doesn’t always present obvious symptoms in the early stages, and many people do not receive a diagnosis until the disease has advanced. However, some people do experience a few early signs and symptoms of the condition.
Read on to learn about early lung cancer signs and symptoms, and how early screening may help you if you are at high risk for the disease.
Early signs and symptoms of lung cancer can include:
- a cough that doesn’t go away or gets worse
- coughing up blood or rust-colored sputum (mucus)
- shortness of breath or wheezing
- chest pain that worsens with deep breathing, coughing, or laughing
- hoarse or raspy voice
- unexplained weight loss and loss of appetite
- feeling very tired or weak
1. A cough that won’t quit or changes
Be on alert for a new cough that doesn’t go away. A cough associated with a cold or respiratory infection usually clears in a week or so, but a persistent cough that lingers can be a sign of lung cancer.
If you have a chronic (long-term) cough, particularly if you smoke, be aware of any changes.
Make a doctor’s appointment right away if your cough:
- lasts longer than usual
- happens more often
- becomes deeper or sounds hoarse
- produces blood or rust-colored mucus
- produces more mucus than before
A doctor will examine your lungs and may order an X-ray or other tests to find the cause.
2. Breathing changes or wheezing
Shortness of breath or becoming easily winded are also possible symptoms of lung cancer. Changes in breathing can occur if lung cancer blocks or narrows an airway, or if fluid from a lung tumor builds up in the chest.
Make note of when you feel winded or short of breath. If you find it difficult to breathe after climbing stairs or performing tasks you once found easy, make an appointment with your healthcare professional.
When your airways become constricted, blocked, or inflamed, your lungs may produce a wheezing or whistling sound when you breathe. This can have multiple causes, some of which are benign and easily treatable.
However, wheezing can also be a symptom of lung cancer, so it’s a good idea to bring it to your doctor’s attention. It’s best not to assume that wheezing is caused by asthma or allergies. Rather, speak with your healthcare team to confirm the cause.
3. Body pain
Lung cancer may produce pain in the chest, shoulders, or back. This can happen when you cough or simply be felt throughout the day.
Tell your doctor if you notice any type of chest pain and whether it’s:
- sharp
- dull
- constant
- intermittent
You should also note whether it’s limited to a specific area or occurring throughout your chest.
When lung cancer causes chest pain, the discomfort may result from enlarged lymph nodes or metastasis to the chest wall, the lining around the lungs (called pleura), or the ribs.
Lung cancer that has spread to your bones may produce pain in your back or in other areas of your body. Bone pain is often worse at night and increases with movement.
Headaches can sometimes be a sign that lung cancer has metastasized (spread) to the brain. However, not all headaches are related to brain metastases.
4. Raspy, hoarse voice
If you hear a significant change in your voice, or if someone else points out that your voice sounds deeper, hoarse, or raspier, it’s a good idea to reach out to a medical professional.
A simple cold can cause hoarseness, but this symptom may point to something more serious when it persists.
Hoarseness related to lung cancer can occur when the tumor affects the nerve that controls the larynx, or voice box.
5. Unexplained weight loss
An unexplained weight loss of 10 pounds or more can be caused by many types of cancer, including lung cancer.
When cancer is present, this drop in weight can result from cancer cells using energy. It could also result from changes in the way your body uses energy from food.
It’s important not to ignore a change in your weight if you haven’t been trying to shed pounds. It may be a clue to a change in your health.
Less common signs and symptoms
Less common signs and symptoms of lung cancer include:
- finger clubbing (changes in the shape of the fingertips or nails)
- dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)
- swelling of the face or neck
- blood clots
Are symptoms of lung cancer different for men or women?
The symptoms of lung cancer are the same in both men and women.
However, squamous cell lung cancer is
Squamous cell lung cancer tumors form directly in the airways. The tumors in lung adenocarcinoma, the type of lung cancer
Often, this difference means that squamous cell lung cancer causes severe symptoms to occur earlier in the disease progression than lung adenocarcinoma does. So, while men and women will have the same symptoms of lung cancer, it’s not uncommon for men to experience significant symptoms sooner.
NOTE: We use “women” and “men” here to reflect the terms that have been historically used to categorise people by gender. But your gender identity may not align with how your body responds to lung cancer. Talk with a medical professional if you have concerns about any symptoms you may be experiencing.
Small cell lung cancer(SCLC) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are the two main types of lung cancer. SCLC is less common than NSCLC but more aggressive.
SCLC usually has no early symptoms, but when it spreads within the lung or to other parts of your body, you may experience the following:
- bloody mucus
- shortness of breath or wheezing
- chest pain
- persistent cough
- unexplained weight loss and loss of appetite
- facial swelling, also known as superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome, is caused by tumor pressure on the vein returning blood from the upper body
You should contact your healthcare professional right away if you have any of these symptoms.
In advanced stages of lung cancer, the cancer usually metastasizes to both lungs and other organs, such as the bones or brain.
The symptoms of advanced lung cancer may include the following:
- fatigue
- pain
- breathing difficulties
- persistent coughing
- significant weight loss and loss of appetite
If lung cancer has spread to other organs, you may have symptoms such as fractures if it’s spread to your bones. Vision issues may arise if the cancer has spread to the brain.
Lung cancer may cause groups of certain symptoms that are known as syndromes. Some of the most common are Horner’s syndrome, superior vena cava syndrome, and paraneoplastic syndrome. More on each below.
Horner’s syndrome
Tumors in the upper part of the lungs, which are referred to as Pancoast tumors, may cause symptoms by affecting the nerves in your face and eyes. These symptoms are collectively known as Horner’s syndrome.
The symptoms of Horner’s syndrome may include:
- a drooping or weakened upper eyelid
- a smaller pupil in that eye
- little or no sweating on that side of your face
- extreme shoulder pain
Superior vena cava syndrome
Tumors in your upper right lung may put pressure on your superior vena cava, a large vein that carries blood from your head and arms to your heart. The pressure may cause blood to back up in your veins.
The symptoms of superior vena cava syndrome may include:
- swelling in your face, neck, arms, and upper chest, sometimes making your skin turn bluish-red
- headaches
- dizziness or loss of consciousness
It’s very important to talk with a healthcare professional right away if you have any of these symptoms, since superior vena cava syndrome can be life threatening.
Paraneoplastic syndromes
Some lung cancers produce hormones that travel through your bloodstream to distant organs and tissues, causing problems known as paraneoplastic syndromes.
These syndromes are more common with SCLC. They may be the first symptoms of lung cancer.
The following are some common paraneoplastic syndromes:
- Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH): SIADH occurs if lung cancer produces the hormone ADH, which causes your body to retain water, resulting in lower blood salt levels. The symptoms may include fatigue, muscle weakness, and nausea.
- Cushing syndrome: If lung cancer releases the adrenocorticotropic hormone, your adrenal glands will produce high levels of cortisol, which is referred to as Cushing syndrome. This may lead to symptoms including weight gain, especially around the trunk, round face, easy bruising, and high blood pressure.
- Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS): LEMS may occur if lung cancer causes your immune system to attack areas of your nervous system. The muscles around your hips may be weakened, making it difficult to stand from a seated position.
- Humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy (HHM): Any kind of tumor can cause the oversecretion of parathyroid hormone-related peptide (PTHrP). Squamous carcinomas are most commonly the cause.
If lung cancer is detected at an early stage, when there typically are no symptoms, it’s more likely to be successfully treated.
Low-dose computer tomography (LDCT) scans have been found to
LDCT scans, which use low amounts of radiation, help identify atypical areas in the lungs that could indicate cancer.
The American Cancer Society’s
- You currently smoke or have smoked within the past 15 years.
- You have a 30 pack-year or more smoking history (the number of years you smoked multiplied by the packs of cigarettes smoked each day).
- You receive counseling to help you quit if you’re a current smoker.
- A healthcare professional explained to you the benefits and harms of LDCT scans.
- You have access to a facility that performs lung cancer screening.
If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms related to lung cancer or meet the criteria that apply to people at high risk, talk with your healthcare professional about whether LDCT scans are appropriate for you.