Non small cell lung cancer history and symptoms
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Maria Fernanda Villarreal, M.D. [2]
Overview
The hallmark of non-small cell lung cancer is chronic cough, weight loss, and hemoptysis. A positive history of smoking, exposure to asbestos, tuberculosis infection, or a high risk occupation may be suggestive of non-small cell lung cancer. Symptoms related with non-small cell lung cancer will vary depending on the size and location of the tumor. Common symptoms of non-small cell lung cancer may also include shortness of breath, fatigue, and chest pain.
History
Obtaining the history is an important aspect of making a diagnosis of non-small cell lung cancer.
- Past medical, social and family history provides important insight into natural evolution of the disease.
- Complete history will help determine the likelihood of metastases and the association with other conditions.
- Specific areas of focus when obtaining the history, are outlined below:[1][2]
- Past medical history:
- Previous primary infection of tuberculosis
- Colorectal cancer
- Bladder cancer
- Breast cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Social history:
- Positive history of active/passive smoking
- Number of cigarettes/year
- Number of years/months of active smoking
- Number of years/months of smoking cessation
- Family history:
- Positive family history for cancer
- Positive family history for following syndromes:
- Past medical history:
Common Symptoms
The majority of non-small cell lung cancers are asymptomatic and are usually found incidentally. The hallmark of non-small cell lung cancer is chronic cough, weight loss, and hemoptysis.[3][4]
- Symptoms that suggest non small cell lung cancer include:
Less Common Symptoms
Other less common symptoms of non-small cell lung cancer include:[3][4]
- Symptoms during later stage of non-small cell lung cancer include:
References
- ↑ Kaerlev L, Teglbjaerg PS, Sabroe S, Kolstad HA, Ahrens W, Eriksson M, Guénel P, Gorini G, Hardell L, Cyr D, Zambon P, Stang A, Olsen J (2002). “The importance of smoking and medical history for development of small bowel carcinoid tumor: a European population-based case-control study”. Cancer Causes Control. 13 (1): 27–34. PMID 11899115.
- ↑ Raz DJ, Zell JA, Ou SH, Gandara DR, Anton-Culver H, Jablons DM (2007). “Natural history of stage I non-small cell lung cancer: implications for early detection”. Chest. 132 (1): 193–9. doi:10.1378/chest.06-3096. PMID 17505036.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Hamilton, W (Dec 2005). “What are the clinical features of lung cancer before the diagnosis is made? A population based case-control study”. Thorax. BMJ Publishing Group Ltd. 60 (12): 1059–1065. PMID 16227326. Unknown parameter
|coauthors=ignored (help) - ↑ 4.0 4.1 Lung cancer. Canadian Cancer Society 2015. http://www.cancer.ca/en/cancer-information/cancer-type/lung/signs-and-symptoms/?region=ab Accessed on February 24, 2015
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