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What are common symptoms of lung cancer?

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Precancerous growth in a human colon — cancer View through an endoscope of a polyp, a benign precancerous growth projecting from the inner lining of the colon.

Symptoms of lung cancer typically do not appear until the disease has reached an advanced stage or has spread to other parts of the body. Because early symptoms are often variable and nonspecific, they can be easily overlooked.123

Common symptoms include:
* A persistent cough or wheeze12
* Shortness of breath (dyspnea)312
* Chest pain312
* Bloody sputum (hemoptysis)312
* Unexplained weight loss12
* Susceptibility to lower respiratory infections12

In some cases, patients may experience general feelings of malaise, fatigue, or loss of appetite. If the cancer has metastasized beyond the lungs, symptoms may include visible lumps, jaundice, or bone pain. Additionally, some individuals may develop "clubbing," a swelling of the fingertips.312

Because these symptoms can indicate various respiratory conditions, medical evaluation—including physical and radiographic examinations—is essential for an accurate diagnosis.3