Lung Cancer Symptoms?

Question

I have a question about lung cancer. About 5 months ago, I had a bad case of bronchitis. It scared me because I looked at my symptoms on the internet before going to the doctor and was convinced I had lung cancer. Over the past 5 months I have had 5 x-rays and seen three different doctors. All of them tell me that I do not have cancer and that the x-rays are clean. But can't x-rays miss it? If the cancer has started causing symptoms isn't it big enough to show up on x-ray.

Oh, I quit smoking (34 years old, pack a day for 12 years) as soon as I got the bronchitis. Now, all I'm having is some chest/shoulder pains. Which makes me wonder if it is cancer.

Can someone help? Thanks.

Answer 1

The simple fact is that when any cancer first begins it is impossible to spot, regardless of what imaging you order. So you can never absolutely say that a person does not have lung cancer - particularly a smoker.

That being said, from what you have described I think it is unlikely (NOT impossible) that you have lung cancer. First you are only 34 and have only 12 pack years of smoking history. Both of these factors make it unlikely that the carcinogens will have an adequate chance to become cancer. As for your symptoms, if you were having chest and shoulder pains from a lung cancer, usually, this mass would be big enough to be seen on x-ray.

Signs or symptoms that would demand further tests would be weight loss (unintentional), coughing up blood, or respiratory symptoms that do not resolve with inhalers and/or antibiotics.

You are right about X-rays, though. They can certainly miss a lot. Often, lesions less than 1cm and those right next to the heart or lateral rib cage will be missed on x-ray. CT is better, and will pick up more. There is beginning to be some suggestion that a screening CT of the chest in smokers who are over a certain age or a symptomatic may be helpful, although no study has yet shown that any screening program saves lives. PET scan is less helpful for picking up a primary cancerous lesion, but may be more helpful at finding the status of lymph nodes. In Canada (where I'm from) we do not use PET for cancer diagnosis, but do use it for further evaluation after diagnosis. I understand its use is more widespread in the US, partly based upon science and partly for commercial reasons.

My suggestion: it is always worth it to seek a second opinion if you are in doubt. If you've seen 3 doctors and they all independently agree, then your chances of finding something with further imagine is probably low (but they should be able to tell you why). Even if they all say you don't need one, if the worry is ruining your life then it is reasonable to obtain a CT of the chest just for piece of mind.

Whatever you do now, definitely see your doctor on at least an annual basis as the recommendations for lung cancer screening in yourself will likely change as more studies complete, and as you age.

Hope this helps. Congrats on quitting smoking BTW! Your life expectancy just went up 10-20 years!

Answer 2

Maybe you should consult a pulmonary specialist. Have you any weight loss, hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, recent pneumonia? A CT scan is more sensitive than an ordinary chest X-ray, and the newer helical scans are more sensitive, still. (Some say they are too sensitive, causing many false positives, needless worry and expense). A pulmonary specialist can advise you whether your air tubes (bronchi) should be examined (flexible bronchoscopy.) Your sputum or your bronchial washings could be examined by a pathologist. You could get a bone scan to see if there are metastases. You could have just a cancer phobia, but that is largely a diagnosis of exclusion made only after careful evaluation.

Answer 3

Fatigue, cough and headache. Lung cancer is very diificult to diagnose because the symptoms are often misread for other problems. Get another opinion with a different physician.

Answer 4

Ask your doctor for a PET scan. That was the only test that the cancer showed up on for someone I know. She had blood tests and every other kind of test imaginable - the PET scan is the only one in which it showed up. If you really are worried about this then have this test. I hope this helps.

Answer 5

My husband had no symptoms. He was diagnosed March20th passed June 6th. You need to get mri ct scan and pet scan. Even if your insurance doesnt cover it.It could save your life. Lung cancer is very aggressive.

Answer 6

Symptoms of lung cancer are varied dependent upon where and how wide-spread the tumor is. A person with lung cancer may have the following kinds of symptoms:

No symptoms - In up to 25% of people who get lung cancer, the cancer is first discovered on a routine chest x-ray or CT scan as a solitary small mass sometimes called a coin lesion. These patients with small single masses often report no symptoms of lung cancer at the time it is discovered.
Symptoms related to the cancer – The growth of the cancer and invasion of lung tissues and surroundings may interfere with breathing, leading to symptoms such as cough, shortness of breath, wheezing, chest pain, and coughing up blood (hemoptysis). If the cancer has invaded nerves, for example, it may cause shoulder pain that travels down the outside of the arm (called Pancoast’s Syndrome) or paralysis of the vocal cords leading to hoarseness. Invasion of the esophagus may lead to difficulty swallowing (dysphagia). If a large airway is obstructed, collapse of a portion of the lung may occur and cause infections (abscesses, pneumonia) in the obstructed area.
Symptoms related to metastasis – Lung cancer that has spread to the bones may produce excruciating pain at the sites of bone involvement. Cancer that has spread to the brain may cause a number of neurologic symptoms that may include blurred vision, headaches, seizures, or symptoms of stroke such as weakness or loss of sensation in parts of the body.
Paraneoplastic symptoms - Lung cancers frequently are accompanied by so-called paraneoplastic syndromes that result from production of hormone-like substances by the tumor cells. Paraneoplastic syndromes occur most commonly with SCLC but may be seen with any tumor type. A common paraneoplastic syndrome associated with SCLC is the production of a hormone called adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) by the cancer cells, leading to oversecretion of the hormone cortisol by the adrenal glands (Cushing’s Syndrome). The most frequent paraneoplastic syndrome seen with NSCLC is the production of a substance similar to parathyroid hormone, resulting in elevated levels of calcium in the bloodstream.
Nonspecific symptoms - Non-specific symptoms seen with many cancers including lung cancers include weight loss, weakness, and fatigue. Psychological symptoms such as depression and mood changes are also common.

Answer 7

Go for kettlebell workouts — the average person burns 400 calories in 20 minutes.

Answer 8

My husband is a smoker. He has similar problems as you. He asked our doctor about x-rays. The doc told him that if you can see it on an x-ray...it is way too late to do anything for you.

Answer 9

Have them do a CT with contrast scan.

Chest and shoulder pain could simply be anxiety pain.

Answer 10

shortness of breath, coughing a lot, and feeling of something being stuck in your throat all the time, producing blood or phlegm from your lungs frequently. duh, smoking caused lung cancer. doesn't the whole world know this?