Lung cancer and vomiting blood

Blood brought up with nausea or vomiting can come from the oesophagus or stomach. It may look bright red or like dark coffee grounds. Blood coughed up from the airways is a different symptom and is usually mixed with mucus. Swallowed blood, irritation after forceful coughing, ulcers and other digestive conditions can have different causes. Lung cancer may be part of the medical history, but vomiting blood does not by itself show where the bleeding started.

Seek urgent medical assessment and do not drive yourself if you feel faint or weak. Note the colour and approximate amount of blood, whether it followed nausea or coughing, and any black stools, abdominal pain, dizziness or medicines that affect bleeding. Avoid eating or drinking until a clinician gives instructions if emergency assessment is underway. Bring your medicines and cancer-treatment details.

Call emergency services immediately for repeated or heavy bleeding, fainting, confusion, severe weakness, fast breathing, chest pain or difficulty breathing. Urgent help is also needed if the vomit looks like coffee grounds or stools are black and sticky. Do not wait for a routine oncology appointment to assess active bleeding.

Could this be vomiting blood or coughing blood? Where might the bleeding be coming from? Could my medicines or treatment contribute? Do I need blood tests, imaging or an examination of the digestive tract? What warning signs should prompt immediate return?