Diagnosis of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Signs and Symptoms of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

The most common signs and symptoms of lung cancer include:

• Persistent or worsening cough
• Shortness of breath (dyspnea)
• Coughing-up bloody or rust-colored sputum

Other signs and symptoms that some people with lung cancer may exhibit include:

• Hoarseness
• Chest pain
• Wheezing
• Loss of appetite
• Unintentional weight loss
• Recurring respiratory infections such as bronchitis or pneumonia

If lung cancer has metastasized to distant organs such as the brain, bones, or abdomen, the patient may experience the following additional signs and symptoms:

• Bone pain
• Changes in mental status
• Dizziness
• Weakness or loss of sensation in arms or legs
• Jaundice - a yellowish coloring of the skin and eyes
• Swollen lymph nodes, particularly in the neck region