What Are the Complications of Lung Cancer?
If you have lung cancer, you might experience complications, especially if your condition progresses.
Lung cancer can cause a variety of problems that are sometimes related to the disease itself but may also be side effects of treatment.
Recognizing the signs of certain lung cancer complications can help your doctor devise a plan to treat your symptoms.
Many times, people don’t notice symptoms of lung cancer until a tumor has grown large or the cancer has spread, according to the American Cancer Society.
When lung cancer spreads to different parts of your body, it’s known as metastasis.
MedlinePlus says lung cancer most commonly metastasizes to the brain, bones, liver, and adrenal glands.
That can lead to undesirable symptoms not only in your lungs and chest, but also in other affected organs and systems.
Pain can occur in the chest or anywhere the lung cancer has spread.
For example, the American Cancer Society says it may hurt to breathe deeply, cough, or laugh. Cancer that has metastasized to the brain or bones can cause a headache, or pain in the back and hips.
At first, the discomfort might come and go, but over time, it may become persistent.
Your doctor can offer treatments and strategies to help you manage the pain.
If the cancer blocks your airways, you might experience shortness of breath, according to Mayo Clinic.
Sometimes, breathing difficulties are caused by pleural effusion (fluid buildup around the lungs). When fluid accumulates, it makes it harder for your lungs to fully expand when you take a breath. That fluid can be drained to make breathing easier.
Certain types of lung cancer can also trigger a large production of mucus, which can lead to breathing problems.
Additionally, bleeding in the airways can cause some people with lung cancer to cough up blood.
The advocacy group GO2 for Lung Cancer offers some suggestions for managing shortness of breath, including:
Talk to your doctor about whether you might benefit from supplemental oxygen or a device called an incentive spirometer that helps you practice breathing more deeply.
Lung cancer can sometimes grow into and damage nerves, which can result in many different types of symptoms, including nerve-related pain, also known as neuropathy. Cancer treatments may also be to blame for this complication.
Symptoms of neuropathy include pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness. Treatments are available to help relieve these unwanted effects, though a review published in the journal Practical Pain Management points out that neuropathy is difficult to treat, and often treatments do not completely get rid of the symptoms.
The American Cancer Society notes other possible neurological effects. If cancer grows into the nerves of the neck or face, it can cause Horner syndrome, a condition that’s characterized by a drooping eyelid, a small pupil, and little or no sweating on the affected side of the face.
If the brachial plexus (a network of nerves that branches from the neck into the shoulder and arms) is damaged, you can develop Pancoast syndrome. This condition can cause weakness, pain, or numbness in the hand, arm, or shoulder.
Lung tumors can also impact the nerves that are connected to your voice box. If this happens, you can develop hoarseness or voice changes.
Some lung tumors can grow near the heart or major vessels in your body. When this happens, certain veins and arteries may become blocked, which can cause swelling in the chest, neck, or face.
You might also experience headaches, dizziness, vision issues, and fatigue.
Tumors that grow near the heart can affect its rhythm and may cause fluid buildup.
If cancer grows near the esophagus (the tube that connects your throat to your stomach), you might experience trouble swallowing.
Some people also report feeling more pain when eating or drinking.
People who receive radiation to their tumors can often experience these issues. Radiation can also temporarily damage the lining of the esophagus.
This discomfort could interfere with your nutrition, so be sure to tell your doctor if you have any problems swallowing your food.
Cancer that spreads to the bones can weaken them and lead to fractures. The American Cancer Society lists several medications you may be given to stop bone loss and prevent more damage.
Bone damage from metastatic lung cancer can lead to a condition called hypercalcemia. This happens when cancer causes too much calcium to be released from your bones or retained in your blood. Symptoms may include weakness, nausea, constipation, vomiting, confusion, and fatigue. It can also be treated with bone-strengthening drugs.
If lung cancer has caused your body to retain water, your blood sodium level can fall too low. Common symptoms of hyponatremia are weakness, confusion, and sometimes, seizures.
Everyone gets tired, but if you have lung cancer, you might feel overwhelming exhaustion that doesn’t go away. This could be due to the cancer spreading in your body or the therapies used to treat the disease.
Go2 for Lung Cancer has some strategies to help with fatigue, including:
Talk to your doctor about any symptoms you have. Some lung cancer complications can be treated with medication or a medical procedure. Others may improve with cancer treatment. Your doctor may also recommend you make some changes to your lifestyle or adopt healthful habits that can bring you relief.
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