Common Symptoms of Stage 1 Lung Cancer
Common Symptoms
With stage 1 lung cancer, many people do not have symptoms. In fact, a 2020 review found that 59% of people diagnosed with stage 1 lung cancer had no symptoms. That said, it’s important to be aware of symptoms that may occur in order to diagnose the disease as early as possible.
Persistent Cough
The most common symptom of lung cancer overall is a persistent cough: one that lasts for several weeks. The cough may be dry (one that does not produce phlegm or mucus) or wet (one that does produce phlegm or mucus), mild or severe, and may be continuous or come and go. The cough may worsen over time, but it is usually relatively gradual and can go unnoticed.
Coughing Up Blood (Hemoptysis)
Even stage 1 lung cancers, if they grow near the large airways, can result in coughing up blood. Coughing up blood (hemoptypsis) can be subtle, and you may note only a tinge of pink or red on a tissue. Even if it is only a small amount, however, this symptom should always be checked out.
Shoulder and/or Chest Pain
Most people don’t think of lung cancer if they experience shoulder pain or chest pain, but these types of pain can be a symptom of lung cancer. Shoulder pain is very common in advanced lung cancer but can occur during stage 1 disease as well. One type of tumor, a pancoast tumor, grows near the top of the lungs (superior sulcus). Due to its location, it can place pressure on nearby nerves that lead to the shoulder and arm.
Blood Clots
Blood clots are common with lung cancer, affecting roughly 15% of people with the disease. These clots can occur early in the disease and are sometimes the first symptom of lung cancer. Blood clots (deep venous thrombosis) most often begin in the legs and can cause redness, tenderness, and swelling.
Depression
Up to 25% of people with lung cancer will experience clinical depression. Symptoms of depression can include crying, but also anger and irritability. Some people may feel a sense of hopelessness. For most people, there will be a decreased interest in activities that were previously enjoyable. Fortunately, treatment can be very effective.
When to See a Healthcare Provider or Go to the Hospital
Lung cancer is most treatable in the early stages of the disease, and when found at stage 1, many of these tumors may be cured. Symptoms that should prompt calling your healthcare provider for a checkup include:
- A persistent cough
- Coughing up blood, even just a trace on a tissue
- Feeling short of breath with activity
- Shoulder pain or chest pain
- Pain, swelling, or redness in one leg
- More than one episode of pneumonia in a year
- Depression or suicidal thoughts
- Any symptom that is unexplained and is not normal for you
Who Should Be Screened for Lung Cancer
If you smoke or have smoked in the past, you may be a candidate for lung cancer screening. When done according to guidelines, screening can often detect lung cancer in the earliest, most treatable stages and can save lives. You may be a candidate if:
- You have a 20-pack-year history of smoking.
- You are over the age of 50.
- You currently smoke or have quit in the past 15 years.
Summary
The signs and symptoms of stage 1 lung cancer are often mild and vague. These may include a chronic cough, coughing up blood, wheezing, recurrent respiratory infections, or even the sudden urge to quit smoking. More than half the time, however, symptoms are absent, and lung cancer screening is the best guarantee (at least for people who have smoked) to find these cancers early.
FAQs
- What are the common symptoms of stage 1 lung cancer?
- Persistent cough, coughing up blood, shoulder and/or chest pain, blood clots, and depression.
- Who should be screened for lung cancer?
- People who smoke or have smoked in the past, have a 20-pack-year history of smoking, are over the age of 50, or currently smoke or have quit in the past 15 years.
- What is the five-year survival rate for stage 1 lung cancer?
- 65%.
- What are the risk factors for lung cancer?
- Smoking, family history of lung cancer, radon exposure in the home, and other risk factors may prompt your healthcare provider to recommend screening.
