Lung cancer symptoms are very elusive and misleading. Mostly the condition is diagnosed only after having reached advanced stages. As of now there is no screening procedure for lung cancer. Symptoms are almost non existent where lung cancer is concerned.

There might be a mild cough or shortness of breath that can also be attributed to some respiratory infections. This is the main reason as to why most of the lung cancer cases go undiagnosed in the early stages. Only a meagre 16% of the cases are diagnosed early enough to facilitate treatment and cure.

Some of the symptoms that we can investigate are as follows:

1-A new persistent cough that refuses to go away. Smokers usually have cough but if they have cancer the severity of the cough would be different.

2-Chest pain is another indication that usually goes unnoticed. The pain can deepen with difficulty in breathing accompanied with cough or laugh.

3-The throat is hoarse and when accompanied with wheezing can indicate inflammation of the lungs which could be cancer.

4-There is gradual loss of weight due to loss of appetite.

5-Hemoptysis or coughing up blood is a sure indication of cancer. The coughed up phlegm would be rust colored showing the presence of blood.

6-The patient can suffer from shortness of breath due to blockage of air caused by pleural effusion or fluid collection around the lungs or spread of tumor in the lungs.

7-Repeated respiratory illnesses like bronchitis and pneumonia are a cause for concern. This could be indicative of lung cancer.

The cancer metastasizes or spreads to other organs in the body; if it goes undetected in the first or early stages. Lung cancer usually is found to spread to the bones, the brain, liver, pericardium or the lining of the heart, adrenal glands and also from one lung to another. The spread of the cancer brings with it the onset of more symptoms like -

1-Bone pain if the cancer has spread to the bones. The pain is felt in the back bone or vertebrae, the thigh bones and the bones making up the ribs.

2-Headaches, weakness of vision, numbness of appendages, dizziness and seizures if the spread of the cancer is to the brain.

3-Jaundice is caused when the liver is affected by the liver. This is usually not detected and is discovered much later. Initial symptoms of the cancer spreading to liver are nonexistent.

4-If the spread of cancer affects the lymph nodes then lumps appear on the surface of the body usually in the neck or above the collar bone.

Clubbed fingers, anemia, fatigue, weight loss, muscle weakness, skin rashes, low sodium content, degeneration of brain etc are all symptoms that have been found to exist in all types of cancer including lung cancer. Incidental chest x rays performed for other infections help in the identification of the condition since there are no specific symptoms that point towards cancer of the lung.

To Your Health!

About the Author:Florida Abortions Clinic. Dr. James S. Pendergraft opened the Orlando Women’s Center in March 1996 to provide a full range of health care for women, including Medical Abortions, physical examinations, family planning, counseling, laboratory services. Orlando Women’s Center. Abortions Clinic.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Lung Cancer Symptoms: What to Look for

You should know some of the general (non-specific) signs and symptoms of cancer. But remember , having any of these does not mean that you have cancer – many other things cause these signs and symptoms, too.

Unexplained weight loss
Most people with cancer will lose weight at some point. An unexplained weight loss of 10 pounds or more (when you’re not trying to lose weight) may be the first sign of cancer. This happens most often with cancers of the pancreas, stomach, esophagus, or lung.

Fever
Fever is very common with cancer, but it more often happens after cancer has spread from where it started. Almost all patients with cancer will have fever at some time, especially if the cancer or its treatment affects the immune system. This can make it harder for the body to fight infection. Less often, fever may be an early sign of cancer, such as blood cancers like leukemia or lymphoma.

Fatigue
Fatigue is extreme tiredness that does not get better with rest. It may be an important symptom as cancer grows. It may happen early, though, in cancers like leukemia, or if the cancer is causing blood loss, which can happen with some colon or stomach cancers.

Pain
Pain may be an early symptom with some cancers such as bone cancers or testicular cancer. A headache that does not go away or respond to treatment may be a symptom of a brain tumor. Back pain can be a symptom of cancer of the colon, rectum, or ovary. Most often, pain that is linked to cancer is a symptom of cancer that has already metastasized (spread from where it started).

Skin changes
Along with cancers of the skin (see the next section), some other cancers can cause skin symptoms or signs that can be seen. These signs and symptoms include:
darker looking skin (hyperpigmentation)
yellowish skin and eyes (jaundice)
reddened skin (erythema)
itching
excessive hair growth

Lung cancer symptoms are commonly not experienced until the disease had advanced, sometimes delaying diagnosis. The symptoms of lung cancer also mimic the symptoms of other benign illnesses.

The most common lung cancer symptoms experienced are :

1.Onset of wheezing
2.Recurrent pneumonia or bronchitis
3.Shortness of breath
4.A persistent cough that does not go away
5.Coughing up blood
6.Hoarseness
7.Weight loss or loss of appetite

If you are experiencing any of the above Lung cancer symptoms, please see your doctor. The symptoms described are also symptoms for many other illnesses. Consult your physician for a definitive diagnosis.

About the Author:A. Susanto is a freelance health columnist. He is also the creator of Asbestos Lung Cancer, a web site setup to help people find useful and accurate information on Lung Cancer. Visit his site at http://asbestoslung-cancer.blogspot.com/
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Lung Cancer Symptoms – General Cancer Signs and Symptoms

Related articles by Cancer Treatment Pro

• Preventative brain radiation for lung cancer patients: Benefits and risks (scienceblog.com)
• The Rules of Cancer (well.blogs.nytimes.com)

Lung cancer symptoms, detection and treatment options are described by Dr. Dipin Gupta, a heart and lung surgeon with CJW Medical Center’s Chippenham Hospital. Lung cancer is a killer disease and the key is early detection. cjwmedical.com

The leading risk factor for lung cancer is smoking. More than 80% of lung cancers are due to cigarette smoking. The longer a person has been smoking and also the more cigarettes a person smokes a day, the greater the risk is for developing lung cancer. Not only are smokers vulnerable to lung cancer, but the people around them are at a greater risk as well due to breathing second-hand smoke. Non-smokers who are married to smokers are at a 30% greater risk than non-smokers who are married to non-smokers. Marijuana cigarettes may also increase the risk of lung cancer since they contain many of the same cancer-causing agents that tobacco cigarettes have and are inhaled more deeply.

Lung cancer most commonly begins in the cells that line your lungs. Smoking causes the majority of lung cancers — both in smokers and in people exposed to secondhand smoke. But lung cancer also occurs in people who never smoked. In these cases, there may be no clear cause of lung cancer. Doctors have identified factors that may increase the risk.

Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world. It is a leading cause of cancer death in men and women in the United States. Cigarette smoking causes most lung cancers. The more cigarettes you smoke per day and the earlier you started smoking, the greater your risk of lung cancer. High levels of pollution, radiation and asbestos exposure may also increase risk.

Causes of Lung Cancer

Smoking: smoking remains the greatest risk factor for lung cancer. Your risk of lung cancer increases with the number of cigarettes you smoke each day and the number of years you have smoked. Quitting at any age can significantly lower your risk of developing lung cancer.

Diet: Scientists are studying many different foods to see how they may change the risk of getting lung cancer. However, any effect diet may have on lung cancer risk is small compared with the risk from smoking. Eating a lot of fat and cholesterol might increase risk of lung cancer. Drinking a lot of alcohol may raise risk as well.

Family History: Studies have found a chromosome that may be resposible for lung cancer. The chromosome can be inherited. If you have had lung cancer before, there is a chance you may develop another type of lung cancer.

Air pollution from vehicles, industry, and power plants can raise the likelihood of developing lung cancer in exposed individuals. Up to 1% of lung cancer deaths are attributable to breathing polluted air, and experts believe that prolonged exposure to highly polluted air can carry a risk similar to that of passive smoking for the development of lung cancer.

Symptoms of Lung Cancer

People often decide to visit the doctor only after they have been bothered by certain complaints over a period of time. Individuals who have lung cancer frequently experience symptoms such as the following:

Metastasis to the bones is most common with small cell type cancers but also occurs with other lung cancer types. Lung cancer that has metastasized to the bone causes bone pain, usually in the backbone (vertebrae), the thighbones, and the ribs.

Shortness of breath usually results from a blockage to the flow of air in part of the lung, collection of fluid around the lung (pleural effusion), or the spread of tumor throughout the lungs.

A cough that does not go away or gets worse over time should be evaluated by a health-care provider.

Chest pain is a symptom in about one-fourth of people with lung cancer. The pain is dull, aching, and persistent and may involve other structures surrounding the lung.

Wheezing or hoarseness may signal blockage or inflammation in the lungs that may go along with cancer.

About the Author:Read about Beauty Tips, Makeup Tips. Also read about Home Remedies and Natural Remedies, Herbal Health Supplements
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Lung Cancer – Symptoms and Causes of Lung Cancer

Cancer & Health – It’s All about The Cell

Lung cancer is a major killer of men and women across the country. Air pollutants, secondhand smoke, cigarette smoking especially, and other causative factors contribute to the disease.

Most of us think that the lung cancer is mostly common among the cigarette smokers and it is true that the vast majority of cases are or were smokers. But there are non-smokers do get lung cancer and smokers who don’t get it.

Signs of lung cancer are often not apparent in the early stages. However it is better to identify lung cancer as possible.

The most common early symptom of lung cancer is haemoptysis (coughing up blood). Consider this early symptom a warning sign of a cancer, which may be curable.

If you find that you are coughing up blood, you should immediately contact your doctor , especially if you are 40 years of age, or older, with a long-term smoking habit.

Some of the primary signs include:

* Hacking, persistent cough

* Coughing up blood

* Shortness of breath

* Wheezing

* Chest pain

* Lost appetite

* Lost weight

* Recurring bronchitis or pneumonia

The above symptoms also being the symptoms of many other lung problems, so it is always advisable to see a physician to ascertain the cause

Secondary signs of simple cell lung cancer include:

* Weakness

* Difficulty swallowing

* Changes in nails

* Hoarse or raspy voice

* High fever

* Swelling of facial features

It’s true that most symptoms of lung cancer do not show themselves until the disease is in its advanced stages.

However, sometimes people exhibit signs early in the disease’s development. It is imperative that the first notice of symptoms or concern sends you straight to the doctor.

The sooner treatment is begun, the better. A cure is possible if caught early enough and, if not, then a better quality of life and more of it.

When lung cancer spreads to other parts of the body, organs and bones, referred to as ‘metastasizing’, signs and symptoms include:

* Aching and sharp bone pain

* Changes in the brain that exhibit themselves through weakness, numbness, dizziness, and seizure

* Jaundice (whites of eyes, nails, and skin yellow

* Masses near the skin’s surface

* Headaches

* Numbness and loss of sensation in your extremities

All of these signs and symptoms of lung cancer may be caused by other health problems. The only way to know for sure is to consult a doctor as soon as possible.

Learn More About Smoking and Lung Cancer and Other Causes
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