Effects of Lung Cancer

The effects of lung cancer can be devastating both to the individual who has lung cancer and also to his or her family. It is estimated that during 2010, cancer will become the leading cause of death, with lung cancer the most prevalent. Lung cancer already has a significant lead over other cancers, often causing more deaths in both men and women worldwide than all other cancers combined.

The effects of lung cancer start slowly, but build rapidly as the disease spreads. Unchecked, lung cancer will continue to grow and eventually move to the bones and brain of the patient.

Effects of Lung Cancer
Lung cancer most often starts with a heavy feeling in the chest or a persistent cough that won't go away no matter what you do for it. Over time, lung cancer can spread rapidly or be a more lethargic form of cancer that grows very slowly. Though lung cancer can be cured if its caught early enough, any cancer that goes untreated will eventually cause death.

While some patients experience little or no discomfort in the beginning, other lung cancer patients, whether suffering from mesothelioma lung cancer, small cell lung cancer or nonsmall cell lung cancer, may suffer horrendously due to the side effects that lung cancer can cause, as well as from the effects of the treatments.

Signs and Effects of Lung Cancer

• Shortness of breath
• Persistent cough
• Heaviness or a dull, achy pain in the chest area
• Coughing up bloody sputum
• Wheezing or hoarseness
• Chronic pneumonia or bronchial infections
• Fatigue
• Unexplained weight loss

The Stages of Lung Cancer

• Stage I: The cancer is confined to a single lung or both lungs.
• Stage II: Cancer is confined to the chest cavity.
• Stage III: The cancer is still confined to the chest cavity, but there may be several additional and often large or invasive masses present.
• Stage IV: Cancer has spread beyond the chest cavity and has moved to other areas of the body.

When lung cancer has progressed to Stage IV, it is nearly impossible to stop its progression.