A quick guide, what's Lung Cancer

General symptoms of lung cancer

The symptoms of lung cancer may include

• Having a cough most of the time
• A change in a cough you have had for a long time
• Being short of breath
• Coughing up phlegm (sputum) with signs of blood in it
• An ache or pain when breathing or coughing
• Loss of appetite
• Fatigue
• Losing weight

Less common symptoms of lung cancer

Other less common symptoms of lung cancer are usually associated with more advanced lung cancer. They include

• A hoarse voice
• Difficulty swallowing
• Changes in the shape of your fingers and nails called finger clubbing
• Swelling of the face caused by a blockage of a main blood vessel (superior vena cava obstruction)
• Swelling in the neck caused by enlarged lymph nodes
• Pain or discomfort under your ribs on your right side (from the liver)
• Shortness of breath caused by fluid around the lungs (called pleural effusion

Hormone related symptoms

Some types of lung cancer cells produce hormones that get into the bloodstream. These hormones can cause symptoms that do not seem related to the lung cancer. Doctors call them 'paraneoplastic symptoms' or 'paraneoplastic syndrome'. These hormone related symptoms vary from person to person but may include

• Pins and needles or numbness in fingers or toes
• Muscle weakness
• Drowsiness, weakness, dizziness or confusion
• Breast swelling in men
• Blood clots (thrombosis)

These symptoms are uncommon with lung cancer but they can happen. So it is important to tell your doctor about any new symptoms you have noticed. If they are caused by the cancer, you can have treatment to help you feel better.

Symptoms of pancoast tumours

Lung cancer growing right at the top of the lung is called a 'pancoast tumour'. These tumours can cause very specific symptoms. The most common is severe shoulder pain. They can also cause a collection of symptoms called 'Horner's syndrome'. These are

• Drooping or weakness of one eyelid
• Small pupil in that eye
• Loss of sweating on that same side of the face

These symptoms of Horner's syndrome are caused by the tumour pressing on or damaging a nerve that runs up from the neck to that side of the face.

- Refered www.cancerhelp.org.uk