2. Coughing and Hoarseness: More Than a Throat Irritation
We’ve all coughed or experienced a hoarse voice after a cold or screaming at a concert. But persistent coughing and hoarseness related to a Pancoast tumor is a different animal. The tumor can interfere with the recurrent laryngeal nerve, affecting voice quality, or irritate the tracheal lining, leading to a cough that just won’t quit.
Initially, the cough may be dry and seem insignificant. But pay closer attention, and you may notice that it doesn’t follow the pattern of a usual cough. It might be more prevalent at night or occur in fits and starts throughout the day, a peculiar timing that doesn’t align with common respiratory infections.
Hoarseness, on the other hand, adds a vocal element to the symptom profile. Imagine your voice altering slowly over time, becoming rougher and less clear. This isn’t the result of overuse or an infection; it’s because the tumor is pressing on nerves that control vocal cord function. The subtlety of this symptom often makes it easy to overlook, yet it’s essential to understanding the reach of the tumor.
Both coughing and hoarseness may present alongside other respiratory symptoms, such as wheezing or shortness of breath. This constellation of symptoms creates a confusing picture that could easily be misdiagnosed as asthma or another respiratory issue. But the chronic nature and specific qualities of these symptoms hint at something more severe.(2)
