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Symptoms

Different people have different symptoms for lung cancer. Some people don't have any symptoms at all. About 25% of people with lung cancer do not have symptoms from advanced cancer when their lung cancer is found.¹ Lung cancer symptoms may include:

• shortness of breath
• coughing that doesn't go away
• wheezing
• coughing up blood
• chest pain
• fever
• weight loss

Other changes that can sometimes occur with lung cancer may include repeated bouts of pneumonia, changes in the shape of the fingertips, and swollen or enlarged lymph nodes (glands) in the upper chest and lower neck.

These symptoms can happen with other illnesses, too. People with symptoms should talk to their doctor, especially if they smoke, but even if they don't. Doctors can help find the cause. ², ³

References

1. Humphrey LL, Teutsch S, Johnson MS. Lung Cancer Screening with Sputum Cytologic Examination, Chest Radiography, and Computed Tomography: An Update for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.* Annals of Internal Medicine 2004;140:740–753.
2. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, Chapter 88: Neoplasms of the lung. Clinical Manifestations. P.3. The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., 2008.
3. Beckles MA, Spiro SG, Colice GL, Rudd RM. Initial evaluation of the patient with lung cancer: Symptoms, signs, laboratory tests and paraneoplastic syndromes.* Chest 2003;123:97S–104S.

*Links to non-Federal organizations found at this site are provided solely as a service to our users. These links do not constitute an endorsement of these organizations or their programs by CDC or the Federal Government, and none should be inferred. CDC is not responsible for the content of the individual organization Web pages found at these links.