Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Non small cell lung cancer history and symptoms
Introduction
Overview
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
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
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
Less Common Symptoms
Other less common symptoms of non-small cell lung cancer include:[3][4]
References
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
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Maria Fernanda Villarreal, M.D. [2]