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The Difference Between Lung Cancer Symptoms and Other Respiratory Illnesses
: December 6, 2012 : Updated: December 7, 2012 4:38pm
Lung cancer begins in the lungs, the two organs in your chest responsible for breathing. This disease is the leading cause of cancer death, and is often associated with cigarette smoking.
Knowing the difference between lung cancer symptoms and common respiratory illnesses is important. Discuss lung cancer information with your doctor if you are concerned about your symptoms.
Lung Cancer Symptoms
Typically, lung cancer symptoms are absent in the earliest stages of the disease. As the disease progresses, symptoms may include:
• A new cough that won't go away
• A chronic cough, sometimes called "smoker's cough"
• Coughing up blood
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Unexpected weight loss
• Bone pain
Symptoms of more advanced lung cancer may include:
• Difficulty or pain when swallowing
• Excess fluid in the lining of the lung, called "pleural effusion"
• Excess fluid in the lining of the heart, called "pericardial effusion"
Symptoms of Other Respiratory Illnesses
The most common non-cancerous lung illnesses include:
• Asthma: A disease in which the airways are persistently inflamed. Common symptoms include wheezing and shortness of breath.
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): A collection of diseases that includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis. COPD is characterized by an inability to exhale normally. Common symptoms include difficulty breathing, a productive cough, frequent respiratory infections, changes in sputum color, feeling ill, ankle swelling, and confusion
• Cystic fibrosis: A genetic condition in which mucus is not cleared effectively from the lungs. The most common symptom is repeated lung infections, caused by the accumulated mucus
• Pneumonia: An infection of the lungs, usually bacterial. The symptoms include fever, chills, fatigue, and other flu-like issues
Other respiratory illnesses include interstitial lung disease and problems affecting the blood vessels of the lungs, such as pulmonary embolism.
If you are concerned that you may be at risk for lung cancer, your doctor can explain what symptoms to watch for and whether any routine screening tests might be warranted.