Health encyclopaedia

Health encyclopaedia - Alphabetical Topic List

Symptoms of Cancer of the lung

In the early stages lung cancer may not give any symptoms, which makes early diagnosis difficult. As with many types of cancer, the early it is diagnosed, the more effective treatment will be and better the long-term outcome.

The most common symptom is a persistent cough and sometimes the coughing up of blood. Other possible symptoms include breathlessness, loss of appetite, fatigue and weight loss. A continuous hoarseness of the voice may indicate that the cancer is pressing on the nerves to the voice box. There may also be a persistent pain in the chest or even in one shoulder. Often the tumour shows no signs and the first indications are due to the effects of cancer that has spread to other parts of the body.

If the cancer has spread to the brain, it can cause seizures, paralysis, personality changes and speech difficulty. Where it has spread to the liver, it may cause jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes) and loss of weight. If the cancer has spread into the bones it can cause a deep boring pain and sometimes bones may break without an obvious cause. Nodules of secondary cancer may also occur on the skin.

• Caesarean sectionCancerCancer of the bile ductCancer of the bladderCancer of the boneCancer of the brainCancer of the breastCancer of the breast, maleCancer of the cervixCancer of the colon, rectum or bowelCancer of the kidneyCancer of the larynxCancer of the liverCancer of the lungCancer of the mouthCancer of the oesophagusCancer of the ovaryCancer of the pancreasCancer of the prostateCancer of the skinCancer of the stomachCancer of the testicleCancer of the thyroidCancer of the uterusCancer of the vaginaCancer of the vulvaCarbon monoxide poisoningCarersCarpal tunnel syndromeCartilage damageCataract surgeryCataractsCatarrhCavernous sinus thrombosisCEA testCellulitisCerebral palsyCerebrovascular diseaseCervical screening testCervical spondylosisCharcot-Marie-Tooth diseaseChemotherapyChest infectionChickenpoxChildren in careChiropracticChlamydiaChloride testCholesterolChorionic Villus samplingChronic fatigue syndromeChronic obstructive pulmonary diseaseCircumcisionCirrhosisCleft lip and palateClinical trialsClub footCoeliac diseaseCognitive behavioural therapyCold soreCold, commonColicColostomyColour vision deficiencyColposcopyCombined contraceptive pillComplaints about NHS servicesComplementary therapiesComplex Regional Pain SyndromeCondoms (male and female)Congenital heart diseaseCongestive heart failureConjunctivitisConsent to treatmentConstipationContraceptionContraceptive implants and injectionsContraceptive patchCoronary angioplastyCoronary artery bypassCoronary heart diseaseCorticosteroid (drugs)Corticosteroid preparations (topical)Cosmetic surgeryCoughCounsellingCradle capCraniosynostosisCreutzfeldt-Jakob diseaseCrohn's diseaseCroupCT scanCushing's syndromeCuts and grazesCystic fibrosisCystitisCystoscopyCytomegalovirus

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