What is usually the first sign of lung cancer? Lung cancer is a common disease today and ranks second after cardiovascular diseases among the causes of death.
So what is usually the first sign of lung cancer? It is extremely important to recognize early signs of lung cancer. Especially middle-aged and older smokers should have regular check-ups. Diagnosing lung cancer at an early stage greatly increases the chances of successful treatment.
What is Usually the First Sign of Lung Cancer, How is it Understood?
Lung cancer symptoms take place in a wide range. Early signs of the disease include swelling of the face or lymph nodes, hoarseness, fatigue, high fever, unexplained weight loss, finger deformity, dizziness, and difficulty swallowing.
- Cough: Cough is seen in more than 75% of cases. The reason is obstruction in the airway, infection, and pressure on the lung tissues.
- Coughing up blood: This symptom occurs in about 25% of patients. It occurs if the tumor is in the airway.
- Weight loss: Unexplained weight loss is observed in approximately 68% of lung cancer cases. It is more common in the case of advanced stages and liver metastasis.
- Respiratory distress: This symptom, which is seen at a rate of 60%, may occur as a result of the obstruction of the large airways, fluid accumulation between the lung membranes called pleura and paralysis of the diaphragm muscle.
- Chest pain: One of the first symptoms that 50% of cancer patients notice is chest pain. Cancer may have spread to the chest wall or nerves.
- Bone pain: Bone pain indicating bone metastasis is seen in approximately 25% of patients.
If lung cancer has spread beyond the rib cage, the complaints may be related to other parts of the body. Other places where lung cancer frequently spreads include the liver, lymph glands, brain, adrenal glands, and bones.
Lung Cancer Treatment
Treatment for lung cancer varies according to the stage at which the patient was diagnosed and the lung cancer cell type. Surgery, chemotherapy, radiation (radiotherapy) and other supportive treatments can be applied alone or in combination. After determining the stage and cell type of the disease, the treatment is planned considering the age and general condition of the patient.
For the definitive diagnosis of lung cancer, a biopsy is taken from the lung tissue and the mass inside. A pathological examination enables the determination of the cell type of the cancer and its distinctive features. In this way, the most appropriate treatment method and plan for the patient is selected.
The treatment of lung cancer varies depending on factors such as the type and stage of the lung cancer as well as the general health status of the patient. The treatment of the disease is arranged in the form of immunotherapy, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and surgical methods alone or in combination.
