Symptoms
Different people have different symptoms for lung cancer.1 2 Some people have symptoms related to the lungs. Some people whose lung cancer has spread to other parts of the body (metastasized) have symptoms specific to that part of the body. Some people just have general symptoms of not feeling well. Most people with lung cancer don't have symptoms until the cancer is advanced. Lung cancer symptoms may include—
- Coughing that gets worse or doesn't go away.
- Chest pain.
- Shortness of breath.
- Wheezing.
- Coughing up blood.
- Feeling very tired all the time (fatigue).
- Weight loss with no known cause.
Other changes that can sometimes occur with lung cancer may include repeated bouts of pneumonia and swollen or enlarged lymph nodes (glands) inside the chest in the area between the lungs.
These symptoms can happen with other illnesses, too. People with symptoms should talk to their doctor, who can help find the cause.1 2
References
1Spiro SG, Gould MK, Colice GL. Initial evaluation of the patient with lung cancer: Symptoms, signs, laboratory tests and paraneoplastic syndromes. Chest 2007;132:149S–160S.
2Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, Chapter 88: Neoplasms of the lung. Clinical Manifestations. P.3. The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., 2008.
Contact Us:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Division of Cancer Prevention and Control
4770 Buford Hwy NE
MS K-64
Atlanta, GA 30341 - 800-CDC-INFO
(800-232-4636)
TTY: (888) 232-6348
8am–8pm ET
Monday–Friday
Closed on Holidays - cdcinfo@cdc.gov