Final answer:
The primary symptoms of lung cancer are persistent coughing which may include blood, shortness of breath, chest pain, unexplained weight loss, and wheezing. Late detection makes it one of the deadliest cancers, with tobacco smoke being the main cause.
Step-by-step explanation:
Symptoms of Lung Cancer
Lung cancer is one of the most serious types of cancer due to its high mortality rate and late diagnosis. This disease occurs when cells in the lungs grow uncontrollably and form a tumor, which can affect lung function and spread to other parts of the body. The most common symptoms of lung cancer include:
- Persistent coughing, sometimes with blood (hemoptysis)
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Unexplained weight loss
- Wheezing
Other symptoms may include enlarged lymph nodes, bone pain, neurological symptoms, and systemic effects like poor appetite, fatigue, and excessive sweating. The primary cause of lung cancer is exposure to tobacco smoke, which not only affects smokers but also non-smokers through secondhand smoke.