Breathlessness
Many people with lung cancer have difficulty breathing and shortness of breath (dyspnea) before or after diagnosis. This can occur for several reasons, such as the cancer itself and a reduction in lung function, narrowing of the airway passage, a decrease in fitness level due to reduced physical activity or a build-up of fluid between the linings of the lung (pleural effusion), making it harder for the affected lung to expand fully when inhaling.
Cough
Coughing is reported to be the most common presenting symptom. People with lung cancer often complain of a cough that won’t go away; a chronic cough lasts for at least eight weeks. Lung cancer can cause bleeding in the airway, which can cause coughing up blood. Sometimes bleeding can become severe. Chronic coughing can also cause people with lung cancer to have a raspy voice.
Chest pain
Advanced lung cancer that spreads to the lining of a lung or to another area of the body, such as a bone, can cause pain. Also, when a lung tumor causes tightness in the chest or presses on nerves, it may bring pain to the chest, especially when breathing deeply, coughing or laughing.
Poor appetite and weight loss
Anorexia, weight loss, or asthenia occur in 55–90% of patients presenting with a new diagnosis of lung cancer. Some people stop taking pleasure in eating and lose weight before diagnosis. These symptoms may be caused by the disease itself, feeling sick, having difficulty swallowing, being breathless, or feeling down. Metastases to the liver are also associated with asthenia and weight loss.
