Most people with lung cancer have one or more symptoms. However, the symptoms of lung cancer are similar to the symptoms of many other more common and less serious problems.
If you are concerned about your symptoms, talk to your doctor or nurse. Stage 3 lung cancer symptoms are variable since stage 3 lung cancer includes a wide spectrum of cancers.
Symptoms due to cancer in the lungs such as a persistent cough, Lung cancer can cause a new cough or a change in a chronic cough.
The cough can be a dry or may produce sputum (phlegm). Shortness of breath, and repeated infections such as pneumonia or bronchitis, are common. Arm, shoulder and neck pain can be caused by a tumor in the top of the lungs (called Pancoast tumor).
Other symptoms can include weakening of the hand muscles (due to pressure on the nerve that stimulates the arm), a droopy eyelid, and blurred vision. Spread to areas such as the chest wall and diaphragm can result in pain in the chest, ribs, shoulders, and back.
Tumors located near the airways can cause hemoptysis (coughing up blood) and wheezing. When the tumor involves areas such as the esophagus and other chest structures, dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) and hoarseness can occur.
Pain in the back, chest, and ribs is common if a pleural effusion is present, and this can result in increasing shortness of breath. General symptoms of stage 3 lung cancer such as fatigue and weight loss may be present as well.
If you have symptoms that suggest lung cancer, your doctor or nurse will perform a complete exam and a chest X-ray. If the chest X-ray shows a mass in your lung that could be a tumor, additional testing is performed.
This may include blood work and a CT scan of the lower neck, entire chest, and upper part of the abdomen. To confirm the diagnosis, you will need to have a piece of the tumor removed and examined (called a biopsy).
If the chest X-ray shows a mass in your lung that could be a tumor, additional testing is performed. This may include blood work and a CT scan of the lower neck, entire chest, and upper part of the abdomen.
