LUNG CANCER: RECOGNIZE THE EARLY SIGNS

WHAT IS LUNG CANCER?

Lung cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in one or both lungs. These abnormal cells do not carry out the functions of normal lung cells and do not develop into healthy lung tissue. As they grow, the abnormal cells can form tumors and interfere with the functioning of the lung, which provides oxygen to the body via the blood.

WHAT ARE THE EARLY SIGNS OF LUNG CANCER?

Even in an early stage, lung cancer has no noticeable symptoms. It is estimated that in 40 percent of patients that had lung cancer, the cancer was diagnosed after the disease had already progressed. And in one third of the patients, lung cancer is diagnosed at stage 3. The 9 most common early signs are:

• Chronic Cough: Persistent cough which doesn’t stop can be a sign of lung cancer. So, if you cough for a longer period of time, with mucus or without, don’t think it is just a cold but go and visit your doctor who will check your lungs and you may need to have x-rays or some other tests.
• Changes in Cough: Particularly if you are a smoker, you need to be more careful if there are some changes in chronic cough. These changes may include: frequent coughing with hoarse and deeper sound, coughing up blood or excessive mucus.
• Breathing Changes: Being often out of breath is a possible symptom of a lung cancer and occurs as a result of blocking and narrowing the airways by the cancer as well as from fluid accumulated in the chest by lung tumor.
• Pain in the Chest Area: Pain in the back, chest or in shoulder can be also caused by lung cancer which is rarely linked with coughing. Inform your doctor if you suffer from chest pain whether it is constant, comes and goes or it is dull. Also, pay attention if the pain occurs only in a single area or appears throughout the chest. Chest pain which is a result of lung cancer is due to metastasis to the chest wall, pleura (lining around the lungs), or the ribs or because of enlarged lymph nodes.
• Wheezing: When you breathe, if a wheezing or whistling sound appears, it may occur due to blocked, inflamed or constricted airway. Tt can be lung cancer symptom as well, so you need to consult your doctor.
• Raspy, Hoarse Voice: If your voice is deeper, raspier or hoarse, these symptoms may have been caused by lung cancer, especially when the tumor affects the nerve which controls the voice box or larynx.
• Drop-in Weight: Lung cancer or another type of cancer can also cause rapid weight loss -10 pounds or more. This is due to cancer cells which are using the energy from the body as well as from the way the body uses the energy obtained from food.
• Bone Pain: Pain which occur in the back or in other areas can be caused by lung cancer which is spread to the bones. This pain becomes more severe during the night while sleeping on the back. Furthermore, this type of cancer is linked with arm, neck and shoulder pain although rarely.
• Headache: If the lung cancer has spread to the brain, then headache is the symptom. Though, not all headaches are linked with brain metastases. In some case the lung tumor can press the main vena cava, the larger vein which takes the blood from upper body into the heart. This can also cause headache.

WHY KIMS?

At KIMS, one of the best oncology hospitals in Hyderabad, the distinguished multidisciplinary lung cancer team provides unparalleled diagnostics and treatment for all stages of lung cancer.

With years of pioneering research and advancements in treatments, our top lung cancer specialists in Hyderabad are renowned for their extraordinary expertise in minimally invasive surgery and work tirelessly to improve patients' outcomes and the quality of life, making us the best lung cancer treatment hospital in Hyderabad.