The Most Important Symptoms of Lung Cancer

Published at 25 November 2024

A cough that persists for a long time may be an indicator of lung cancer, especially if it is accompanied by blood. Lung cancer is the second most common type of cancer in the world. This is why we may feel anxiety and fear when the cough persists for a long time. How true is this belief? What are the most common symptoms of lung cancer?

Lung cancer symptoms

Symptoms may not appear in the early stages of lung cancer, if any of the following symptoms appear, visit a doctor urgently:

A cough that persists for a long time and gets worse over time (in about 50% of cases).
Phlegm with blood (Hemoptysis). Some people may not notice it at the beginning of cancer because it is in very low, invisible quantities.
Hoarseness.
Constant chest pain.
Shortness of breath that gets worse with deep breathing, or when laughing and coughing.
A whistling sound when breathing.
Recurrent lung or chest infections.

Other non-pulmonary symptoms may also appear in a lung cancer patient, especially as it spreads, including: (1) (3)

Significant weight loss.
Loss of appetite.
Headache, dizziness, or balance problems if the cancer has spread to the brain.
Body Pain.
Sometimes, jaundice if there is metastasis to the liver.
Enlarged lymph nodes.

These symptoms do not necessarily mean that you have lung cancer, as they are similar to the symptoms of other more common lung diseases, such as pneumonia or bronchial asthma. Therefore, you must visit a doctor to check on your health and to help detect any diseases you have early!

What distinguishes lung cancer cough?

It may be difficult to distinguish a lung cancer cough, but it often has the following characteristics: (4)

The cough persists for weeks and months without improvement (more than 8 weeks).
The cough changes for the worse over time, for example it becomes louder or becomes more frequent during the day and at night.
Often dry or with blood. Unlike other types of coughs, which are associated with white, yellow, or green phlegm, or with blood in severe cases.
Accompanied by deterioration in health, such as weight loss, fatigue, and difficulty breathing. While inflammatory coughs are often accompanied by classic cold and flu symptoms.
It does not improve with medications such as antibiotics or allergy medications.

When should you see a doctor?

Visit a doctor as soon as you notice these symptoms on yourself or on a member of your family, as they are often due to other respiratory diseases, such as allergy or infections, but they may also be a sign of cancer. The only way to confirm the cause of the cough is to consult a specialist physician and perform a chest x-ray, CT scan, and other tests.

Always remember that early detection of lung cancer means better treatment options and higher chances of survival. (2)

Pulmonary and chest Department at Al-Ahli Hospital includes the best competencies in treating lung cancer, and uses the latest technologies and therapeutic methods to provide integrated and personalized care for each patient.

Early detection of lung cancer

When symptoms of lung cancer appear, the tumor has often grown or spread significantly, reducing the chances of a cure.

Therefore, people who have a high probability of developing lung cancer should undergo an imaging examination of the lungs annually for early detection of lung cancer, according to the recommendations of the American Cancer Society, if you meet the following conditions together: (5)

Yor age is 50-80 years old.
Your smoking history is equivalent to 20 years, i.e. smoking one pack per day for 20 years, or two packs per day for 10 years, etc.
You are a current smoker, or you stopped smoking less than 15 years ago.

The type of lung scan recommended for early detection of lung cancer is low-dose CT scan of the lungs.

Final words

Lung cancer is considered one of the most dangerous types of cancer, as it is the first cause of death among cancer patients globally. (7)
Lung cancer is usually diagnosed in advanced stages, so do not underestimate the importance of early screening if you meet the conditions. (7)
Smoking is the main and most important factor in developing lung cancer. Almost 90% of people with lung cancer are smokers. Take the initiative to quit smoking. Hurry and book an appointment at our smoking cessation clinic at Al-Ahli Hospital. (6)
Most cases of lung cancer are diagnosed after the age of 50, and only a small percentage of those affected are diagnosed before the age of forty. (6)