In up to 25% of people who get lung cancer, there are no apparent symptoms at the time of diagnosis. In others, symptoms can occur from the cancer itself, from the metastatic spread of the cancer beyond its origin in the lung, or from so-called paraneoplastic syndromes that result from the production of hormone-like substances by the lung cancer cells. Common symptoms include
Other symptoms can include
Symptoms of metastatic disease can include
Causes of lung cancer
Lung cancer develops when a collection of cells in the lung tissue begins to grow and divide uncontrollably. This is usually due to damage to the cells' DNA. A number of agents have been linked to lung cancer; the most well known is tobacco smoking. About 90% of lung cancers are estimated to arise due to tobacco use. Other risk factors for the development of lung cancer include passive smoking, exposure to radon gas, asbestos exposure, air pollution, and certain lung diseases.
Other lung cancer symptoms and signs
- Blood in Sputum
- Chest Pain
- Difficulty Swallowing
- Shortness of Breath
- Shoulder Pain
- Tingling Sensation
- Weight Loss
Main Article on Lung Cancer Symptoms and Signs
Pictures, Images, Illustrations & Quizzes
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Examples of Medications for Lung Cancer Symptoms and Signs
- bevacizumab - injection, Avastin
- carboplatin - injection, Paraplatin
- cisplatin - injection, Platinol-AQ
- Cyramza (ramucirumab)
- erlotinib (Tarceva)
- etoposide - injection, Toposar, Vepesid
- etoposide - oral, Vepesid
- gefitinib (Iressa discontinued in the US)
- methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall)
- paclitaxel - injection, Onxol, Taxol
- topotecan - injection, Hycamtin