A constant cough. In symptom overviews of lung conditions, cough is frequently mentioned and can be dry or productive. Mucus may appear orange, red, or brown, and streaks of blood can be observed in saliva or sputum. A cough that continues over a long period is described in educational sources as a feature associated with several respiratory diseases, including lung cancer.
Shortness of breath. Dyspnea is often discussed as an early feature in summaries of lung cancer symptoms, though it can also appear in many other conditions. People may attribute breathlessness to factors such as physical deconditioning or aging, and it can be evaluated in the context of multiple possible causes.
Rapid weight loss. When body weight decreases without intentional changes, educational resources note appetite reduction and unexplained weight loss among features reported in early-stage lung cancer. Descriptions include diminished interest in food and noticing looser clothing, even without deliberate dietary restriction.
Weakness and pain. Reports include chest or back pain that persists over time. Discomfort may occur in the chest or lung area and can also present in the upper back, shoulders, or neck. Descriptions range from intermittent to continuous pain and note that intensity can increase with deep breathing or coughing.
Frequent infectious diseases. Educational summaries mention that airway narrowing or obstruction can facilitate recurrent infections. When a bronchus is partially blocked, secretions may accumulate and microbes can proliferate, contributing to episodes of infections or relapses despite prior treatment.
Syndrome of drumsticks. Thickening of the terminal phalanges and rounding of the nail plates—often termed digital clubbing—appears in descriptions of certain lung diseases, including malignancies. It is presented as a physical finding associated with underlying thoracic conditions.
Whistling and wheezing. Audible wheeze or whistling sounds during breathing are discussed across respiratory textbooks and may occur in diverse contexts, including infections, airway hyperreactivity, or structural changes. Persistent wheeze is included among features listed in symptom guides for lung cancer.
Phlegm with blood. The presence of blood-tinged sputum (hemoptysis) is a noted sign in pulmonary medicine. While minor streaks can result from small vessel irritation, educational materials also list hemoptysis among findings that appear with infectious processes or neoplastic disease in the lungs.
Raspy and hoarse voice. Long-lasting hoarseness is described in reference materials as a possible manifestation when structures affecting the voice are involved. Examples include irritation or pressure effects that influence vocal cord function and may coexist with swallowing discomfort.
Headaches. Headache is common across many conditions. In discussions of lung cancer, symptom lists sometimes mention headaches in association with systemic effects or spread, noting that patterns, intensity, and accompanying features can vary widely.
Learn more about lung cancer at American Cancer Society.
