A cough can be due to a simple cold or allergies. But some coughs carry more serious risks. People with cancer may also develop a cough related to cancer or its treatment. A productive cough brings up mucus.
It is also called a wet cough. A cough that starts suddenly and lasts less than 3 weeks. It is also called a short-term cough.
A cough that lasts more than 8 weeks. It is also called a chronic cough. Coughs that last a long time can cause serious problems by disrupting sleep. Severe persistent coughs can also cause vomiting, dizziness, headaches, loss of bladder control , and muscle strains. Other risks include rib fractures, especially for people with cancer that has spread to the bone.
Treating a persistent cough is an important part of your cancer care and treatment. This is called palliative care or supportive care. If you are receiving cancer treatment, you should let your health care team know about a cough that develops. A cough can have many causes. Sometimes there may be more than 1 cause for people with cancer. Causes can include:. Non-small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer.
Some types of chemotherapy, including bleomycin available as a generic drug and methotrexate Rheumatrex, Trexall, Xatmep. Some types of oral targeted therapy drugs, including osimertinib Tagrisso and everolimus available as a generic drug. Immunotherapy drugs, including pembrolizumab Keytruda , that can cause inflammation of the lungs. Angiotensin-converting enzyme ACE inhibitors, used to treat high blood pressure and heart disease.
Infections , such as pneumonia and bronchitis, which are more likely in people with cancer. Pleural effusion , a buildup of extra fluid in the space between the lungs and the chest wall. If lung cancer is present, the outlook will be better if a person seeks help at once rather than waiting. Lung cancer can develop without an apparent cause. One of the most important methods of prevention is to avoid smoking and exposure to secondhand cigarette smoke.
People may reduce their risk of developing lung cancer by avoiding other carcinogens, such as asbestos. Carcinogens are chemicals that can make cells more likely to become cancerous. Most coughs are typically harmless and resolve on their own within a few weeks. Coughs can result from a broad range of environmental factors and medical conditions. While having a cough does not always mean a person has lung cancer, a persistent cough is a common symptom of the condition. If a person experiences a persistent cough alongside other lung cancer symptoms, such as blood in the spit and chest pain, they should contact a doctor immediately.
Early diagnosis and treatment can improve the outlook for people with lung cancer. There are also a number of ways in which people can reduce their likelihood of developing lung cancer. These include quitting smoking, avoiding exposure to other carcinogens, and exercising regularly. Some people experience subtle symptoms of lung cancer during the early stages of the disease. Read on to learn more, including when to see a doctor.
What is the link between lung cancer and a cough? Coughing and lung cancer Other symptoms Causes of coughing Contacting a doctor Treatment Outlook Prevention Summary Many people will experience a nagging cough at some point in their life, usually with little complication. I could not even look at an ashtray. If lung cancer in non-smokers was its own type of cancer , it would rank among the top 10 most fatal cancers in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society.
Spotting lung cancer can be a challenge. Although researchers are working on developing breath and blood tests , there is currently no standard method for detecting lung cancer in its early stages. In fact, most diagnoses of early lung cancer are accidental, says Albert Rizzo, MD , chief of pulmonary care at Christiana Hospital in Newark, Delaware.
Patients get computerized tomography CT scans for other reasons and the cancer is found in the process. The typical screening method is getting annual CT scans. Those at a higher risk for lung cancer include people between the ages of 55 and 80 who have a history of smoking or lung cancer in their families. When lung cancer does cause signs in its early stages, they may vary from person to person but lung cancer symptoms commonly include: A new cough that is persistent or worsens, or a change in an existing chronic cough Cough that produces blood Pain in the chest, back or shoulders that worsens during coughing, laughing or deep breathing Shortness of breath that comes on suddenly and occurs during everyday activities Unexplained weight loss Feeling that you are tired or weak Loss of appetite Lung infections such as bronchitis or pneumonia that won't go away Hoarseness or wheezing Less common symptoms of lung cancer may include: Swelling in the face or neck Difficulty swallowing or pain while swallowing Changes in the appearance of fingers, called finger clubbing Although most of these symptoms are more likely to be caused by something other than lung cancer, it's important to see a doctor.
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What you need to know. Advanced lung cancer symptoms Advanced stages of lung cancer are often characterized by the spread of the cancer to distant sites in the body. As other parts of the body are affected, new lung cancer symptoms may develop, including: Bone pain Swelling of the face, arms or neck Headaches , dizziness or limbs that become weak or numb Jaundice Lumps in the neck or collarbone region. Non-small cell lung cancer symptoms Non-small cell lung cancers NSCLC may grow slowly over a period of time before symptoms develop.
Common non-small cell lung cancer symptoms include: Persistent coughing, particularly without any known cause A cough that produces blood or red-colored phlegm hemoptysis Chest pain or painful breathing Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath Fatigue or feeling unusually weak or tired Hoarseness or wheezing Frequent upper-respiratory infections, like bronchitis or pneumonia Bone pain Other areas of the body may be affected by either the spread or development of NSCLC tumors.
Small cell lung cancer symptoms Most of the signs associated with small cell lung cancer SCLC are not present until the cancer has progressed. Metastatic lung cancer symptoms Metastatic lung cancer symptoms depend on the part of the body to which the cancer has spread, as well as the size and location.
If the cancer has spread to the bones, it may cause bone pain, often in the vertebrae or ribs. Other symptoms include fractures, constipation or decreased alertness due to high calcium levels. If the liver is affected, symptoms may include nausea, extreme fatigue, increased abdominal girth, swelling of the feet and hands due to fluid collection, and yellowing or itchy skin. If either the brain or spinal cord is affected, symptoms may include headache, blurred or double vision, difficulty with speech or seizures.
Lung cancer symptoms in women and men Lung cancer is the second most common type of cancer diagnosed in both men and women excepting skin cancer , according to the American Cancer Society ACS. About , men and , women are expected to be diagnosed with lung cancer in , according to the ACS , with an estimated 69, deaths among men and 62, among women. The number of men diagnosed with lung cancer has decreased in the past four-plus decades, according to the American Lung Association.
Diagnosis rates among women were on the rise during the same time period but have started to decline.
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