EGFR lung cancer symptoms: what to know

Possible symptoms include a cough that does not settle, breathlessness, chest discomfort, tiredness, reduced appetite or unexplained weight loss. A hoarse voice may occur when nearby structures are affected, but hoarseness has many possible causes and does not by itself indicate lung cancer.

Some people have few symptoms at first. If lung cancer spreads, symptoms depend on the area involved. Headache, confusion, balance changes, weakness or seizures need assessment because they can reflect brain involvement, although they can also have other causes. Only clinical assessment, imaging and testing can clarify what is happening.

Record when symptoms began, what makes them worse, and whether they affect sleep, eating or activity. Arrange a medical review for a persistent or changing cough, breathlessness, chest pain, coughing blood, ongoing hoarseness or unexplained weight loss.

Evaluation may include an examination, scans and a sample from the tumour or blood. Genomic tumour profiling can look for EGFR and other alterations that may influence treatment. Do not assume that a symptom confirms or excludes a diagnosis.

Seek urgent help for severe or rapidly worsening breathlessness, blue lips, heavy bleeding when coughing, severe chest pain, fainting, a seizure, new confusion or sudden weakness. Contact your care team promptly for fever, worsening cough or any new symptom after cancer treatment.

Ask: Which symptoms need same-day advice? What tests will explain the cause? Should my tumour undergo genomic profiling? Could my medicines be contributing? How will you check for changes if symptoms continue?