Symptoms of Lung Cancer in Female

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Types of Lung Cancer in Women
• Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)
• Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC)
• Fatigue
• Back or Shoulder Pain
• Shortness of Breath
• Frequent Respiratory Infections
• Chest Pain
• Persistent Cough
• Blood in Cough
• Symptoms of Metastatic Lung Cancer
• Unintentional Weight Loss
• Loss of Appetite
• Feeling Unwell
• Swelling in Neck or Axilla
• When to See an Oncologist?
• Why Choose HCG for Lung Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment?
• Conclusion
• Frequently Asked Questions

Introduction

Lung cancer is one of the prevalent cancers among Indian women. Various factors, along with smoking, contribute to these increasing numbers, and they include exposure to harmful chemicals, certain inherited genetic conditions, genetic mutations, radon exposure, second-hand smoking, and a family history of lung cancer.

In women, lung cancer is often diagnosed in the later stages. Possible reasons for this include a lack of awareness of lung cancer risk among women, a tendency to ignore symptoms that indicate lung cancer, and not seeing a specialist for timely interventions.

In this article, we are exploring the different lung cancer symptoms seen in women and what one must do when one begins experiencing them.

Types of Lung Cancer in Women

1. Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)

The most common type of lung cancer is NSCLC, which accounts for 85% of the cases. The subtypes of NSCLCs are squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, and large cell carcinoma.

The growth and proliferation of NSCLC are relatively slower than those of small-cell lung cancer. Patients with NSCLC experience chest pain, persistent cough, and weight loss. The options for treating NSCLC are surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy.

2. Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC)

SCLC is an aggressive lung cancer. 10% to 15% of all cases of lung cancer are SCLC. There is an association between SCLC and smoking. This cancer has rapid growth and proliferation characteristics.

Patients with SCLC have chest pain, persistent cough, and chest pain. The treatment usually involves chemotherapy & radiation therapy. Surgery is not often used because of the rapid growth and spread of cancer.

Common Lung Cancer Symptoms in Women

Some of the common signs and symptoms of lung cancer in women are:

1. Fatigue

Fatigue is one of the most common signs of lung cancer in women. It is usually mistaken for general tiredness. Persistent fatigue in lung cancer patients may occur for various reasons, including the body fighting against cancer cells or underlying conditions such as poor nutrition or anemia. Persistent tiredness reduces the quality of life of women with lung cancer.

2. Back or Shoulder Pain

Back or shoulder pain is another sign of lung cancer in females. It is caused because of the compression of nerves by the tumor. The pain usually does not respond to the conventional treatment options. As the pain is non-specific to lung cancer, it is generally ignored, resulting in delayed diagnosis of lung cancer.

3. Shortness of Breath

It is a common symptom of lung cancer in women. It is caused by the airway obstruction caused by the tumor. Fluid accumulates around the lungs, reducing lung function. The symptoms worsen over time. Shortness of breath may occur along with other symptoms, such as wheezing and persistent cough. It is important to consult the doctor in case of sudden shortness of breath that does not improve with rest.

4. Frequent Respiratory Infections

Patients with lung cancer are at a higher risk for developing frequent respiratory tract infections, such as pneumonia and bronchitis. The tumor blocks the patients' airways, resulting in an environment favorable for pathogens. Persistent or recurrent respiratory tract infections should not be ignored and should be evaluated by the doctor.

5. Chest Pain

Frequent chest pain is also a symptom of lung cancer in women. Persistent chest pain occurs because of the pressure of the tumor on the nearby organs, such as nerves, the chest wall or ribs. The pain may be dull or sharp and usually persistent. The pain worsens with laughing, coughing, or deep breathing. The pain does not subside with conventional pain relief medications or with rest.

6. Persistent Cough

It is another symptom of lung cancer in women. The severity of the cough worsens as the disease progresses. It may be chronic, dry, or productive and may accompany blood. It is often considered associated with respiratory tract infections or allergies, resulting in delayed diagnosis. A persistent cough is caused by the irritation of the airways caused by cancer cells.

7. Blood in Cough

Blood in the cough or mucus is also known as hemoptysis, a severe symptom of lung cancer in women. The symptom usually occurs in patients with lung cancer when the tumor grows near the airways. Even a tiny amount of blood in the cough should not be ignored and should be evaluated by the doctor. Other symptoms, such as chest pain, persistent cough, and fatigue, may accompany it.

Symptoms of Metastatic Lung Cancer

1. Unintentional Weight Loss

It is also a common symptom of advanced-stage lung cancer in women. A doctor should evaluate weight loss occurring without exercise or dietary changes. It is because of reduced appetite, changes in metabolic status due to cancer cells, and the energy used to fight cancer cells.

Patients may also experience other symptoms, such as persistent cough, frequent respiratory tract infections, shortness of breath, and chest pain.

2. Loss of Appetite

It is also a symptom of metastatic lung cancer in women. It is usually because of the body's response to the tumor. It results in malnutrition and unintentional weight loss. The patients have low eating desire because of underlying pain, nausea, and hormonal alterations due to cancer. Patients who experience persistent loss of appetite should consult with a doctor.

3. Feeling Unwell

Persistent weakness or feeling unwell is an early symptom of lung cancer in women. It is because of various other symptoms of lung cancer, such as shortness of breath, loss of appetite, persistent cough, and weight loss. Patients experience unexplained continuous fatigue and tiredness. Patients should book an appointment with the doctor to evaluate the reasons for feeling unwell.

4. Swelling in Neck or Axilla

Normally when lung cancer spreads through lymphatics and blood, it causes swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck and axilla (armpit). Patients may experience symptoms like swelling in the neck or an axilla.

When to See an Oncologist?

Most of the lung cancer symptoms in women are non-specific and may be ignored. It is important not to ignore the symptoms of lung cancer. Patients should consult the oncologists if they experience loss of appetite, persistent fatigue, unexplained weight loss, back or shoulder pain, shortness of breath, coughing up blood, and feeling unwell.

Why Choose HCG for Lung Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment?

Diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer require considerable expertise, equipment, and other facilities. HCG Cancer Centre is one of the most preferred cancer hospitals in India for diagnosing and treating different types of cancer, including lung cancer.

The hospital offers several advanced diagnostic techniques for accurate lung cancer diagnosis, such as modern imaging techniques and biopsy. The hospital is well known for its comprehensive approach to lung cancer management, wherein treatment approaches such as surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy are involved.

Conclusion

Non-small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer are the two common types of lung cancer.

The symptoms experienced by women with lung cancer are shortness of breath, unexplained weight loss, persistent cough with or without blood, loss of appetite, feeling unwell, chest pain, and frequent respiratory tract infections. There are several causes of lung cancer in women, and some of them include active/passive smoking, exposure to harmful chemicals, radon exposure, family history of lung cancer, and certain inherited genetic conditions.

Women need to be aware of different lung cancer symptoms and promptly see a doctor when they begin to experience them.