What are the symptoms of small cell lung cancer

What are the symptoms of small cell lung cancer? Many people don't know what small cell lung cancer is, but when it comes to cancer, many people may feel very scared and terrified, always worrying about what symptoms they may have. So, let's learn about the symptoms of small cell lung cancer!

Small cell lung cancer may be asymptomatic in the early stages. The most common symptoms at diagnosis are fatigue (80%), cough (70%), shortness of breath (60%), weight loss (55%), pain (40-50%), and hemoptysis (25%).

1. Symptoms and signs caused by the primary tumor

(I) Cough: It is a common early symptom, mostly irritating dry cough. When the tumor causes bronchial stenosis, a persistent, high-pitched metallic cough may occur. Cough is often accompanied by a small amount of mucus sputum, and when secondary infection occurs, it may be combined with purulent sputum.

(ii) Hemoptysis: Most cases are blood in the sputum or intermittent bloody sputum. In a few cases, severe hemoptysis occurs due to erosion of large blood vessels.

(III) Chest tightness and shortness of breath: The tumor causes bronchial stenosis, or the tumor metastasizes to the hilar or mediastinal lymph nodes, and the enlarged lymph nodes compress the main bronchus or tracheal carina.

2. Symptoms and signs caused by tumor expansion in the chest cavity

(1) Chest pain: The tumor directly invades the pleura, ribs or chest wall, causing varying degrees of chest pain. If the tumor invades the pleura, it will produce irregular dull pain or pain. If the tumor compresses the intercostal nerves, the chest pain may affect their distribution area.

(ii) Superior vena cava syndrome: It is mostly caused by compression of the superior vena cava or, less commonly, blockage by a tumor thrombus in the cavity. It manifests as edema of the face, neck, and upper limbs, distended neck veins, congestion and varicose veins in the chest, and may be accompanied by dizziness, swelling of the head, and headache.

(III) Dysphagia: Tumors invade or compress the esophagus, causing dysphagia.

(IV) Choking: Choking when drinking water or eating liquid food caused by tracheoesophageal fistula or recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis

(V) Hoarseness: occurs when the tumor directly compresses or metastasizes to the lymph nodes compressing the recurrent laryngeal nerve (mostly on the left side).

Patients should eat a light diet during chemotherapy, avoid greasy, indigestible and fried foods. Eat more fresh vegetables and fruits, eat small meals frequently, and combine foods reasonably, diversify the diet, and eat a balanced diet. During the intervals between radiotherapy and chemotherapy, pay attention to avoid fatigue, rest, and regular work and rest to avoid infection.