Signs of a Lung Tumor

The first step in fighting cancer is detecting the disease. Some cancers have obvious physical symptoms such as visible lumps or skin discoloration. The presence of other tumors may have less pronounced symptoms, or these warning signs can be mistaken for other illnesses.

Breathing Symptoms

Breathing related symptoms that occur include wheezing, chest pain, coughing with the presence of blood and shortness of breath. If the tumor spreads it can cause difficulty swallowing and speaking.

Advanced Symptoms

As the tumor spreads, patients experience intense sensations of pain in the surrounding area. Conversely, loss of sensation can also occur. Either extreme is symptomatic of a tumor.

General Symptoms

Weight loss, fatigue and a general feeling of weakness, combined with changes in mood are symptoms seen with not only cancerous tumors in the lung, but all cancers.

Time Frame

Some symptoms associated with a tumor in the lungs will not appear until late stages of the cancer. Coughing up blood and difficulty speaking are two examples of advanced disease.

Treatment

A doctor should be called when these symptoms are persistent and repeated. Respiratory problems that are never fully absent should be examined further.

Resources

• American Cancer Society provides further information on diagnosis and treatment