Common symptoms of lung cancer often include cough, sputum, and chest pain, which are respiratory issues. However, according to the American health media 'WebMD', there are times when symptoms unrelated to the respiratory system can be signals of lung cancer. What might these be?

 

Pancoast lung cancer, which develops a tumor in the uppermost part of the lung, is

 

Shoulder, arm, and leg pain

Only one side of the face does not sweat

It causes symptoms such as constriction of only one pupil.

 

As the tumor in the lung gradually enlarges, it compresses the blood vessels and sympathetic nervous system connected to the limbs and head. The tumor can block blood flow, leading to symptoms such as swelling of the face, neck, and arms.

Although the incidence rate is not high, occurring in about one out of twenty lung cancer patients.

Progresses faster than general lung cancer and is difficult to diagnose early, leading to a poor prognosis. Pancoast lung cancer occurs at the very edge of the lung, making it difficult to diagnose early through chest X-rays or CT (computed tomography) scans.

 

Treatment for Pancoast lung cancer varies depending on the precise location and size of the tumor. Surgery is the most definitive treatment, but due to the anatomical characteristics of tumor location, it is highly complex, often requiring the removal of multiple ribs and the replacement of major blood vessels with artificial tubes. When the tumor is too large for surgery to be feasible, chemotherapy or radiation therapy is administered.

 

Meanwhile, other characteristic signs of lung cancer include

▲The fingertips become blunt and plump

▲Mental health issues

Stomachache

There is swelling of the male breast.

 

Lung tumors produce chemicals similar to hormones, pushing more blood and fluids into the fingertips, causing changes in finger shape. A Danish study has found that lung cancer patients are more likely to receive psychiatric treatment for depression, anxiety, dementia, and other mental health issues compared to healthy individuals.

 

Hypercalcemia, which occurs due to excessive increase in blood calcium levels caused by lung cancer, can induce symptoms such as abdominal pain and nausea. Some lung cancers cause hormonal imbalances that lead to tenderness and swelling in male breast tissue.

 

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The biggest problem with lung cancer is that early diagnosis is difficult.

These days, chest X-ray (CT) is considered essential.

Stomach pain... The chest is enlarging, so it needs to be checked.