What should you know about effects of lung cancer?

A tumour in or near the airways may cause cough, breathlessness, chest discomfort or repeated chest infections. Lung cancer can also bring tiredness, reduced appetite and unplanned weight loss. A hoarse voice may occur when nearby nerves are affected; a hoarse voice has many possible causes and does not by itself establish lung cancer.

If cancer spreads, symptoms depend on the area involved. Brain metastases may cause headache, weakness, changes in speech, balance or seizures. Treatment can also affect appetite, blood counts, skin, hair, nerves or energy. Palliative care can help with symptoms and practical or emotional needs at any stage, alongside cancer treatment.

Keep a record of new symptoms, their timing and what makes them better or worse. Your oncology team may use scans, blood tests and a tissue sample to understand the cancer and plan care. Genomic tumour profiling may identify changes that help match treatment to the tumour. Options can include surgery such as lung lobectomy, radiotherapy or medicines such as chemotherapy, depending on the findings.

Contact your care team promptly for worsening breathlessness, new chest pain, coughing blood, persistent vomiting, confusion or a sudden change in strength, speech or balance. Seek emergency help for severe difficulty breathing, heavy bleeding, a seizure or sudden one-sided weakness. Do not wait for a routine appointment when symptoms are sudden or severe.

Which effects are caused by the cancer, and which could be treatment-related? What tests will show whether it has spread? Which symptom medicines, breathing support or palliative care services are available? What changes should lead me to call the team immediately?