Lung Cancer Health Center

Understanding Lung Cancer -- Symptoms

What Are the Symptoms of Lung Cancer?

In its early stages, lung cancer normally has no symptoms. When symptoms start to appear, they are usually caused by blocked breathing passages or the spread of cancer further into the lung, surrounding structures, other parts of the body.

Lung cancer symptoms may include:

• Chronic, hacking, raspy coughing, sometimes with blood-streaked mucus
• Recurring respiratory infections, including bronchitis or pneumonia
• Increasing shortness of breath, wheezing, persistent chest pain
• Hoarseness
• Swelling of the neck and face
• Pain and weakness in the shoulder, arm, or hand
• Fatigue, weakness, loss of weight and appetite, intermittent fever, severe headaches, and body pain
• Difficulty swallowing

Call Your Doctor If:

You develop any symptoms that suggest lung disease, especially chronic cough, blood-streaked mucus, wheezing, hoarseness, or recurrent lung infection. You should have your lungs thoroughly examined and have standard X-rays of the chest performed.