6 Sneaky Signs Of Lung Cancer That Have Nothing To Do With A Cough

Health

Lung cancer sign: Multiple pneumonias

Multiple bouts of pneumonia should raise a big red flag that something is up, says Flores. When cancer blocks the smaller airways in the lungs, it creates a breeding ground for bacteria to multiply, which can lead to an infection.

"Multiple pneumonias indicate ‘Hey, there's something blocking there, you've got to take a look,’" says Flores.

Lungcancer sign: Your eyes droop, you experience swelling, or you get man boobs

Lung cancer sign: Your eyes droop, you experience swelling, or you gain weight

Lung cancer can also cause several syndromes that seem unrelated to the lungs.

Cancers in the top part of your lungs can press on nerves leading to your eyes and face, which may cause a drooping eyelid, a smaller pupil, or reduced sweating on one side of the face. This is called Horner syndrome.

Tumors that press on the superior vena cava—a large vein that passes next to the upper part of the right lung—can cause a backup of blood. The result? Swelling in your face, neck, arms and upper chest, as well as headaches and dizziness, according to the American Cancer Society.

Some lung cancers also secrete hormone-like substances that affect other organs—these are called paraneoplastic syndromes, says Flores. Depending on the specific syndrome, they can have vast hormonal effects, from weight gain to fatigue to gynecomastia, or male breast growth.

However, he estimates that these occur in fewer than 2% of lung cancers, and it's unlikely that these syndromes would lead you to lung cancer.

Whento get these lung cancer symptoms checked out

When to get these lung cancer symptoms checked out

If you're experiencing any one of these symptoms for more than a month, it's time to get checked out.

"All it takes is a little CT scan," says Flores. Your doctor may also want to do a bronchoscopy, a procedure where they look at your airways through a thin tube.

But don’t freak out. In the vast majority of the cases, lung cancer won’t be the cause of the symptoms. And the younger you are, the more likely it is that these symptoms are caused by non-cancer causes—say, acid reflux conditions like GERD can cause hoarseness, while asthma (which you can develop as an adult) can cause wheezing. In fact, 91% of all lung cancer cases are diagnosed in people 55 or above, according to SEER data.

"Most of the time, they won't find anything," says Flores. But if there is cancer to be found, getting checked out as soon as possible makes it more likely that you'll catch it at a treatable stage.