Early symptoms of lung cancer are hard to detect. It is when lung cancer has advanced too far that victims seek medical attention. Usually lung cancer is discovered while the victim is undergoing tests for other complaints such as heart problems or pneumonia. Only 15 percent of lung cancer victims receive early intervention treatment.
Symptoms
Lung cancer symptoms include a cough that doesn't go away or an already chronic cough that worsens.
Constant chest pain is present.
There is wheezing and shortness of breath. Hoarseness may be present.
Regular respiratory infections such as pneumonia and bronchitis are present.
Symptoms may also include weight loss or lack of appetite; swelling of the neck and face; coughing up blood; and fatigue.
Medical and Social History
During an appointment with your doctor, you will be asked about your social habits such as smoking cigarettes, chewing tobacco, exposure to asbestos or other carcinogenic materials at home or at work. Family history of cancer will be discussed in depth.
Testing
A chest X-ray will be ordered and studied for tumors and a physical examination will be performed. Sputum cytology from a deep cough culture is taken and examined for the detection of lung cancer. Other tests and procedures have to be performed to confirm the presence of lung cancer.
Establishing Diagnosis
Many procedures may be necessary to establish the presence of lung cancer including bronchoscopy to collect cells and tissue samples for testing.
Bronchoscopy: Testing consists of a lit tube called a bronchoscope that is passed through the nose and down the throat to examine the airways.
Thoracentesis: A needle is used to collect fluid that surrounds the lungs to test for cancer cells.
Thoracoscopy: This procedure is performed in a hospital. A thoracoscopy consists of the opening of the lungs in an effort to establish a proper diagnosis.
Needle aspiration: A needle is inserted through the lung cancer tumor by means of the chest in order to extract cancerous tissue samples for testing.
Warnings
Chest, back or shoulder pain may indicate that the lung cancer tumor has metastasized, spreading to other organs. If this is proven to be the case; the cancer is deemed inoperable and other treatments are used in an effort to extend the victim's life.
Expert Insight
According to David Johnson, M.D., "Lung cancer is of course one of the more common cancers encountered in Canada and the United States. It's by far the leading cause of cancer-related death. About 150,000-160,000 Americans every year die of lung cancer, or roughly one American every 3½ minutes."
Tags: lung cancer, cancer tumor, cough that, lung cancer tumor, presence lung
