Non-small lung cancer symptoms: what to know

Non-small lung cancer symptoms can include a persistent cough, breathlessness, chest discomfort, tiredness or unexplained weight loss. Some people have few symptoms early on, while others notice changes caused by the tumour or its effects on nearby structures.

A cough that changes, repeated chest infections, wheezing, coughing blood or pain that worsens with breathing can occur. A hoarse voice may develop when nearby nerves or tissues are affected. Reduced appetite, tiredness or weight loss can reflect the body’s response to illness, but these symptoms also have many non-cancer causes.

Advanced disease may cause symptoms outside the chest if it spreads, such as persistent headaches, weakness, balance changes or seizures when brain metastases are present. A symptom alone cannot establish the cause; examination and appropriate tests are needed.

Arrange a medical assessment for a cough that persists or changes, breathlessness that is new, chest pain, repeated infections, unexplained weight loss or blood in sputum. Write down when each symptom began, what makes it better or worse, and any smoking, workplace or family history that may help the clinician.

Assessment may include listening to your chest, imaging and laboratory tests. If cancer is found, staging and genomic tumour profiling can guide discussions about treatment. Do not wait for symptoms to become severe before arranging review.

Seek emergency help for severe breathing difficulty, a large amount of coughing blood, blue lips, collapse, sudden confusion, a seizure or sudden weakness on one side. Contact a clinician promptly for persistent hoarseness, worsening breathlessness, chest pain or fever with a cough.

Which causes are you checking for? Do I need chest imaging or other tests? Could my hoarse voice, cough or breathlessness be related to a nearby structure? What changes should trigger urgent contact? When will I receive the results?