Lung cancer is one of the most important causes of death, but lung tumors are often benign. What are the symptoms of benign lung cancer?
Lung cancer is the abnormal growth, division, or death of cells in lung tissue, but what are the symptoms of benign lung cancer?
Symptoms of benign lung cancer
Lung adenocarcinoma rarely causes any symptoms, but sometimes non-specific symptoms of lung adenocarcinoma may appear due to bronchial obstruction or secondary pneumonia.
It is worth noting that although benign lung cancer itself does not pose a threat to the body’s health, the symptoms accompanying it may cause some serious complications, and symptoms of benign lung cancer may include the following symptoms:
1. Cough
Cough is one of the most common symptoms of benign lung cancer. It appears due to wounds or blockages in the trachea. One of the signs that distinguishes a cough resulting from benign lung cancer is that it is mild and often lasts for long periods of time.
Cough may sometimes be accompanied by hemoptysis, which causes blood to come out directly with the cough or the appearance of phlegm containing streaks of blood.
2. The appearance of sounds from the lung
The appearance of audible lung sounds is one of the symptoms of benign lung cancer that appears due to relative obstruction of the bronchus, and these sounds may take the form of wheezing or crackles.
3. Difficulty breathing
Difficulty breathing and shortness of breath may appear as symptoms of benign lung cancer due to the lungs filling with air when inhaling, with the inability to exhale normally due to blockage of the trachea.
Both inability to breathe normally and tracheal obstruction may cause lobular or segmental emphysema.
4. Increase in temperature
High temperature is one of the rare symptoms of benign lung cancer, which may appear in the presence of pneumonia. Pneumonia often appears due to the inability of the lungs to get rid of secretions naturally due to obstruction in the bronchial tubes.
5. Lung atrophy
Lung atrophy, or so-called atelectasis, appears as a symptom of benign lung cancer when the obstruction in the bronchus develops into a complete obstruction, which increases the risk of lung tissue necrosis.
Methods of detecting benign lung cancer
Benign lung cancer is diagnosed by performing some or all of the following tests
1. Clinical diagnosis
Clinical diagnosis is made by the doctor examining the patient in the clinic, and asking him about the presence of any symptoms similar to those of benign lung cancer.
The doctor also takes a brief overview of the patient''s medical and illness history, to find out if there is a family history of lung cancer.
2. Radiological images
People with lung cancer risk factors are often advised to have annual diagnostic imaging Because symptoms may not appear in all cases.
There are several radiological images that can be used to diagnose lung adenocarcinoma such as X-ray, computed tomography, positron emission tomography, and single-photon emission computed tomography.
3. Biopsy
A biopsy can be done by taking a sample of lung tissue by performing bronchoscopy. After anesthesia, the endoscope attached to the camera is ed into the patient''s bronchus to reach the lung tissue. Then, a sample of the tissue to be examined is withdrawn, after which adenocarcinoma of the lung is diagnosed.
4. Other tests
Includes the following
Blood tests.
Tuberculosis screening.
When should you visit a doctor?
There are some symptoms that require a visit to the doctor, such as:
The cough persists for more than 3 weeks, or its severity increases.
Appearance of blood with coughing.
Feeling pain when breathing or coughing.
Constant feeling of shortness of breath or fatigue.
Suffering from frequent chest infections.
Unplanned significant weight loss.
