Lung Cancer Symptoms: What to Watch For

Lung cancer may cause a cough that persists or changes, breathlessness, wheezing, chest or shoulder discomfort, coughing blood, repeated chest infections, tiredness or reduced appetite. Some people have few symptoms early on. Symptoms can also come from infections, asthma, reflux, heart conditions or other causes, so a symptom is not proof of cancer.

If cancer spreads, symptoms may reflect the affected area. Headache, confusion, weakness, balance changes or seizures need urgent assessment. A persistent hoarse voice is another symptom worth discussing, although it has many possible explanations.

Arrange a medical review for symptoms that persist, recur or interfere with daily life. Your clinician may listen to your chest, review smoking and medical history, request imaging and decide whether tissue testing is needed. If lung cancer is diagnosed, staging and genomic tumour profiling may guide treatment choices. Depending on the findings, care can include surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy or symptom support.

Get emergency help for severe difficulty breathing, heavy or ongoing coughing of blood, blue lips, collapse, sudden confusion, a seizure or new one-sided weakness. Contact a clinician promptly for a cough that is worsening, repeated chest infections, unexplained weight loss, persistent chest pain or a hoarse voice that does not settle.

How long should I monitor this symptom? Which tests are appropriate? Could an infection or another condition explain it? If imaging finds a lung nodule, what happens next? What warning changes should prompt urgent care?