Primary lung cancer

Alternative names:

bronchogenic cancer; cancer of the lung; lung cancer

Symptoms:

• cough
• bloody sputum
• shortness of breath
• chest pain
• loss of appetite
• weight loss

Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease:

• weakness
• swallowing difficulty
• speech impairment
• skin, abnormally dark or light
• skin discoloration, bluish
• paleness
• nail abnormalities
• muscle contractions
• muscle atrophy
• movement, dysfunctional
• joint swelling
• joint pain
• hoarseness or changing voice
• fever
• facial swelling
• facial paralysis
• eyelid drooping
• chills
• breast development in males
• bone pain or tenderness

Signs and tests:

Listening to the chest with a stethoscope (auscultation) shows persistent localized wheezing. Examination of the hands may show clubbing of the fingers (soft tissue enlargement at the tips of the fingers).

Tests that may be performed include:

• bronchoscopy with washings and biopsy for cytology
• pleural biopsy
• lung needle biopsy
• mediastinoscopy with biopsy
• open lung biopsy

This disease may also alter the results of the following tests:

• chest X-ray
• chest MRI
• PTH
• osmolality
• CEA