What are the early symptoms of lung cancer?

The early symptoms of lung cancer vary, but are usually mild and easy to be ignored. Common early symptoms include cough, blood in sputum or hemoptysis, chest pain, fever and dyspnea. The appearance of these symptoms may be related to the growth and expansion of the tumor, but they may also be similar to other diseases, so they need to be carefully identified.

1. Cough: Cough is one of the most common early symptoms of lung cancer. It is usually an irritating dry cough, sometimes accompanied by a small amount of white foamy sputum. Since the cough may last for weeks or months and there are no other obvious symptoms, it is easy to be ignored.

2. Blood in sputum or hemoptysis: Blood in sputum or hemoptysis is one of the more typical symptoms of lung cancer, and about 30% of lung cancer patients will experience this symptom. Bloody sputum usually comes from the tumor area, and is bright red or dark red, sometimes with blood streaks or blood clots. Severe hemoptysis is rare.

3. Chest pain: Chest pain is also one of the common early symptoms of lung cancer. It is usually mild to moderate dull pain or stabbing pain, which may be related to the tumor invading the chest wall or ribs. Chest pain may be aggravated by coughing or deep breathing.

4. Fever: Fever caused by lung cancer is usually low-grade, but sometimes high-grade fever may occur. The cause of fever may be related to bronchial obstruction, inflammatory response or the tumor itself.

5. Dyspnea: Lung cancer may cause dyspnea, especially during activities or exercise. Causes of dyspnea may include tumor blocking the bronchus, atelectasis, pleural effusion, etc.

If any of the above symptoms occur, it is recommended to seek medical attention in time and undergo relevant examinations to rule out the possibility of lung cancer. Early detection and treatment of lung cancer can improve the cure rate and quality of life.