Symptoms of Non Small Cell Lung Cancer
Cancer is the spread of abnormal cells in the human body that does not cease to reproduce. There are different categories of cancer, each deriving its name from the part where it originates. The treatment for the same will also depend on what part of the body is affected.
Lung cancer may occur when a cancerous tumor starts growing near the lungs and affects its functioning. This cancer is further divided into two kinds of cancer: small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer. The latter spreads gradually and slowly than the former and it is more common in people. There are three kinds of non-small cell lung cancer, namely adenocarcinomas, squamous cell carcinomas, and large-cell carcinoma.
Some of the early symptoms of non-small cell lung cancer are as follows.
Persistent coughing
While coughing at sometimes is all right, intense coughing that is persistent and does not seem to go away is one of the early signs of non-small cell lung cancer. If you have had a persistent cough that seems to only get worse or doesn’t improve with medicine, it is recommended to see a doctor to rule out the chances of it being something else.
Abnormal weight loss
This symptom is not limited to lung cancer but also applies to other categories of cancer as well. If you notice a substantial drop in your weight despite eating the same amount of food, you may want to see a doctor to rule out the possibility of cancer. Sometimes patients may also lose appetite in this phase.
Chest pain
Chest pain is another common symptom of non-small cell lung cancer. These bouts of pain may feel worse with coughing, deep breathing, and sometimes even laughing.
Neurological symptoms
Non-small cell lung cancer can spread to other parts of the body during the advanced stage. Neurological symptoms start showing when cancer spreads to the brain and spinal cords.
Fatigue
Chronic fatigue is another symptom that should not be overlooked. This is another telltale symptom that may be common in other forms of cancers as well.
Throat problems
Patients with non-small cell lung cancer may develop hoarseness in their voice. There may also be an onset of infections like bronchitis and pneumonia that persist for a long time.
Aches in the bones
In most advanced cases, lung cancer may spread to the bones and may pose symptoms like aching bones. However, aching bones can also be a symptom of other health issues.
Clubbed toes/fingers
Lung cancer may lower vascular resistance, which causes an increase in blood flow in the small arteries of the toes and fingers, which causes the clubbing of the toes and fingers. However, this symptom is not exclusive to lung cancer. It can also be a sign of other health problems as well.
It is important to understand that the occurrence of these symptoms does not always have to be an indication of cancer and may be attributed to other benign health conditions. That’s why it is always better to get yourself checked by a qualified healthcare provider to be 100 percent sure.
