Symptoms:
Lung cancer may not produce any symptoms, but some patients may experience the following:
- Shortness of breath
- Chronic cough
- Coughing up blood
- Chest pain
- Wheezing
- Weight lost
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Repeated respiratory infections such as bronchitis or pneumonia
Late stage lung cancer symptoms may include:
- Weakness
- Eyelid drooping
- Paralysis of the face
- Joint pain
- Nail problems
- Shoulder pain
- Bone pain
- Difficulty swallowing
- Swelling of the arms and face
Diagnostic Process:
Mercy offers a Lung Cancer Screening Program designed to detect early-stage lung cancer and improve chances of successful treatment. The program consists of annual screenings for those who are determined to be high risk, as well as counseling and shared decision making visits with Mercy’s experienced doctors.
Your doctor will help to determine if lung cancer screening is right for you. You may be a candidate if you meet the following criteria:
- Aged 55-77
- Current smoker or one who has quit within the last 15 years
- Smoked at least one pack a day for 30 years (or 2 packs a day for 15 years, etc.)
In addition to lung cancer screening for early-stage detection, your doctor may utilize additional tests to diagnose lung cancer, including:
- X-Ray
- CT Scan
- Pulmonary function test
- Spirometry
- Gas diffusion test
- Body plethysmography
- Inhalation challenge test
- Exercise stress test
- Multiple-breath wash out test
NEXT: Treatment Options ›