Lung cancer is so deadly because in its early stages—when it can often be successfully treated—it usually has no symptoms. In the later stages, it can produce symptoms including:
- A persistent cough, wheezing, or shortness of breath
- Hoarseness
- Red or rust-colored sputum (the mucus coughed up from the lungs)
- Chest pain
- Recurring pneumonia or bronchitis
- Unexplained weight loss or loss of appetite
If the disease has already spread to other parts of the body, it may cause bone pain, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), tumors under the skin, or dizziness.
Last reviewed on 7/28/09
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