Six Things to Know about Soft Tissue Sarcoma Recurrence - On Cancer
Signs And Symptoms Of Lung Cancer
Signs of lung cancer include chest pain, a nagging cough, coughing up blood, and large, bulging nails. It can be hard to detect lung cancer in the early stages. Symptoms usually start mild and then progress slowly.
Lung cancer happens when cancer cells form in the lung tissue and the lining of your air passages. The two main types of lung cancer are small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Lung cancer is the second most common cancer in the United States and the leading cause of cancer death for both men and women. Knowing the warning signs of lung cancer is important so you can get tested for the condition early. Getting tested for cancer may feel scary, but an early diagnosis helps improve treatment outcomes and can prolong your life.
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Lung cancer symptoms in the early stages can sometimes mimic other conditions or be undetectable altogether. There are very few nerve endings in the lungs, which allows a cancerous tumor to grow without pain, discomfort, or other noticeable symptoms. You may start to experience the following if you develop symptoms in the early stages: A cough that gets worse over time Chest pain or discomfort Frequent respiratory infections Hoarse voice Nail clubbing, which causes softened nail beds that look like they are floating and bulging fingertips Shortness of breath Wheezing You might experience more aggressive symptoms as lung cancer grows and spreads. One sign of progressive lung cancer is repeated lung infections, such as pneumonia or bronchitis. These infections may be ongoing if you have a tumor in your lungs. Other progressive lung cancer symptoms may include: Chest pain that worsens when taking a deep breath, coughing, or laughing Coughing up blood Difficulty breathing Enlarged lymph nodes Fatigue or feeling more tired than usual Headaches Loss of appetite Swelling in your face Trouble swallowing Unintentional weight loss Weakness Coughing up blood in large quantities or too often can be a medical emergency. Please reach out to a healthcare provider right away or call 911 for immediate attention.Some lung cancers can also cause other syndromes that affect different body parts. Treatments for lung cancer can reverse or completely resolve these syndromes.
Progressive lung cancer can cause conditions like:
It's important to note that other non-cancerous lung conditions may cause frequent infections or respiratory (lung-related) symptoms. Consider seeing a healthcare provider if you notice a change in symptoms or overall health.
Once lung cancer metastasizes (spreads) to other areas of the body, other symptoms may occur. Later stages of lung cancer tend to cause a general sense of not feeling well. The end-stage symptoms of lung cancer can affect any area of the body, depending on where the cancer has spread. Lung cancer cells may often spread to the bones, nervous system, and liver. Bone symptoms of end-stage lung cancer may include: Frequent bone fractures Pain in the back or hips Nervous system symptoms of end-stage lung cancer may include: Dizziness Headaches Lack of balance Muscle weakness Numbness Seizures Liver-related symptoms of end-stage lung cancer may include: Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States. It's vital to see a healthcare provider as soon as you develop any signs or symptoms of this condition. It's especially important to see a healthcare provider if you develop signs of lung cancer when you are considered high-risk for this disease. Risk factors for lung cancer include smoking tobacco and exposure to hazardous materials such as radon, asbestos, or secondhand smoke. See a healthcare provider if you develop any of the following signs of lung cancer: Chest pain that worsens with deep breathing Cough that gets progressively worse Coughing up blood Recurrent lung infections Lung cancer cannot always be prevented, but it's possible to lower your risk. The most important step you can take is quitting smoking. Talk with a healthcare provider if you are ready to reduce or quit your tobacco use and need some support in reaching this goal. Lung cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the cells that line the lungs and airways. Lung cancer is the second most common cancer in the United States and the leading cause of cancer death in both men and women. Lung cancer symptoms can go unnoticed. Early stages of lung cancer can mimic other conditions or not cause any symptoms at all. The earliest signs of lung cancer usually include difficulty breathing, chronic coughing, hoarseness, wheezing, and chest pain. Symptoms can develop in other parts of the body as the cancer spreads. Signs of progressive lung cancer may include fatigue, loss of appetite, weakness, unintentional weight loss, and headaches. Symptoms of end-stage lung cancer can also affect the bones, nervous system, and liver. See a healthcare provider right away if you develop any signs of lung cancer, especially if you have a history of smoking. Getting tested for lung cancer can be scary, and this feeling is normal. Knowing the symptoms and receiving an early diagnosis can get you started on treatment sooner and improve your quality of life. Thanks for your feedback!Understanding Metastatic Breast Cancer In The Lungs
Metastatic breast cancer refers to breast cancer that's spread beyond the local or regional area of origin to a distant site. It's also called stage 4 breast cancer.
Breast cancer can spread to places in the body such as the bones, lungs, liver, and brain. No matter where it spreads, it's still considered breast cancer and is treated as such.
In some cases, initial treatment for earlier stage breast cancer doesn't eliminate all cancer cells. There can still be microscopic cancer cells, allowing the cancer to spread.
Most of the time, metastasis occurs after initial treatment is completed. This is called a recurrence. Recurrence can happen within a few months of finishing treatment or many years later.
There's no cure for metastatic breast cancer yet, but it's treatable. Some people live for many years after a diagnosis of stage 4 breast cancer.
This article explains what occurs when breast cancer metastasizes to the lungs.
Breast cancer starts in the breast. As the abnormal cells divide and multiply, they form a tumor. As the tumor grows, cancer cells can break away from the primary tumor and travel to distant organs or invade nearby tissues.
Cancer cells can enter the bloodstream or migrate to nearby lymph nodes under the arm or near the collarbone. Once in the blood or lymph systems, they can travel through the body and land in distant organs or tissues.
Once cancer cells reach the lungs, they can form one or more new tumors. It's possible for breast cancer to spread to multiple locations at the same time.
The signs and symptoms of cancer in the lungs may include:
You may not have noticeable symptoms at first. Even if you do, you may be inclined to dismiss them as symptoms of a cold or flu.
If you've been treated for breast cancer in the past, don't ignore these symptoms.
Diagnosis typically begins with a physical exam, blood work, and a chest X-ray. Other imaging tests may be needed to provide a more detailed view. These exams may include:
A biopsy may also be necessary to help determine if the breast cancer has metastasized to your lungs.
When treating metastatic breast cancer, the goal is to help minimize or eliminate symptoms and lengthen your life without sacrificing its quality.
Breast cancer treatment depends on many factors, such as the type of breast cancer, previous treatments, and your overall health. Another important factor is where the cancer has spread and whether the cancer has spread to multiple locations.
ChemotherapyChemotherapy can effectively kill cancer cells anywhere in the body. This treatment can help shrink tumors and prevent new tumors from forming.
Chemotherapy is usually the only treatment option for triple-negative metastatic breast cancer, including hormone receptor-negative and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HER2-negative) cancers. Chemotherapy is also used with HER2-targeted therapies for HER2-positive breast cancer.
If you've previously had chemotherapy, your cancer may have become resistant to those drugs. Trying other chemotherapy drugs may be more effective.
Hormonal therapiesPeople with hormone-positive breast cancer will benefit from drugs that block estrogen and progesterone from promoting cancer growth, such as tamoxifen or a drug from a class called aromatase inhibitors.
Doctors may also prescribe other drugs, such as palbociclib and fulvestrant, for people with estrogen-positive, HER2-negative disease.
Targeted therapies for HER2-positive breast cancerTargeted therapies can treat HER2-positive breast cancer, such as:
Radiation therapy can help destroy cancer cells in a localized area. It may be able to lessen symptoms of breast cancer in the lungs.
Easing symptomsYou may also want treatment to ease symptoms caused by tumors in the lung. The following may help:
Prescription medications are available to help clear your airways and reduce coughing. Others can help with fatigue, loss of appetite, and pain.
Each treatment has potential side effects that vary depending on the person. It's up to you and your doctor to weigh the pros and cons and decide which treatments will enhance your quality of life.
If side effects begin to impair your quality of life, you can change your treatment plan or choose to stop a particular treatment.
Researchers are studying a variety of potential new treatments, including:
Clinical trials for treating metastatic breast cancer are ongoing. Ask your doctor for more information if you'd like to participate in a clinical trial.
You can't control all risk factors for breast cancer, like genetic mutations, sex, and age. But there are some things you can do to reduce your risk of developing breast cancer.
These include:
If you've previously been treated for breast cancer, those lifestyle choices may help reduce the risk of recurrence.
Recommendations for breast cancer screening vary depending on your age and risk factors. Ask your doctor which breast cancer screenings are appropriate for you.
It's important to remember there's no one-size-fits-all treatment for metastatic cancer. You can choose treatments specific to your needs by working closely with your healthcare team.
Many people with metastatic cancer find comfort in support groups where they can talk with others who also have metastatic cancer.
National and regional organizations can assist you with your daily needs, such as household chores, transportation to treatment, or expenses.
According to the American Cancer Society, the 5-year relative survival rate for metastatic breast cancer is 31%. This is only an estimate. The outlook for people with metastatic breast cancer continues to improve as treatments are refined.
Metastatic breast cancer is when the cancer spreads to other parts of the body, such as the lungs, bones, or the brain. In many cases, treatment for local breast cancer may not eliminate all cancer cells, and microscopic cancer cells left behind can ultimately end up spreading.
Although there's no cure for metastatic breast cancer, there are many treatments that can ease symptoms and prolong life, such as chemotherapy, medication, and radiation.
Find support from others who are living with breast cancer. Download Healthline's free app here.
Medical Resident Shares One Symptom That Led To Her Metastatic Sarcoma Diagnosis — Now She Inspires Others (Exclusive)
Kimberly Nix was well into her journey to become a doctor when life threw a wrench at her: She was diagnosed with metastatic sarcoma in 2021.
At the time, Dr. Nix was only 28 years old and in the third and final year of her internal medicine core residency. Even then, the Canadian resident didn't let the sad news dull her spirits. Instead, she leaned on her family and friends, decided to continue her studies and now uses her journey to inspire others.
"When I was first diagnosed, I was also studying for my specialty licensing exam (which I fortunately passed!) and working full time as a resident," Nix tells PEOPLE exclusively.
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"I was disappointed about the news, but between frequently meeting with friends to study, my supportive family (including my now husband), and working with a licensed cancer counselor, I kept my spirits high, which helped me immensely with the sarcoma cancer journey."
Nix was initially diagnosed with extra-skeletal osteosarcoma, but later found out she actually has undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma as "having an evolving diagnosis is common in sarcoma because there are over 100 subtypes," she explains.
According to the National Cancer Institute, undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma typically forms in the soft tissue (though it can also form in bone) and usually occurs in the legs, arms or back of the abdomen. For Nix, it started with a lump in her leg.
"Symptoms of sarcoma are so important because there is no screening test. My symptom was the most common symptom in soft tissue sarcoma. [Everything was] completely normal — including all my lab values — except for a small, but rapidly growing lump in my left leg," she reveals.
"Mine changed rapidly, which led me to see my doctor right away. It went from the size of a pea to the size of a golf ball in just over a week."
To treat her cancer, Nix takes a targeted chemotherapy pill every day. Outside of lowering her immune system and preventing her from eating the spicy foods she used to love, Nix says she goes about her life as normally as she can.
She's currently going forward with her studies at the Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, where she is sub-specializing in general internal medicine while simultaneously partaking in the Clinician Investigator Program, "which allows resident doctors extra training time to study in a Master's Program, for me epidemiology," she says.
She likes to travel, try new foods and spend time with her cute pets. Additionally, she's also managing her growing social media platforms, where she shares her journey with admirers, fellow sarcoma patients and of course, her loved ones.
Beginning in 2021, Nix started sharing her sarcoma journey on Instagram and TikTok. And while she could have chosen to showcase the downsides of living with sarcoma, she opted to go the positive route, showing her followers how she continues to live life to the fullest, despite the diagnosis.
Nix has shared videos from her 2023 wedding; her February bucket list trip to New York (which was put together by her loved ones); her life as a dog and cat mom, among many other videos and photos. The best of the content are her short and sweet gratitude videos, in which she simply cites a thing, event or person she's grateful for that day.
"I only have one thing in my life that is tough or hard right now. Yes, it is serious, but [it's] just one thing," Nix affirms. "Life is so much more. It's friends, family, pets, your career, the perfect temperature first sip of tea, the beautiful snow-tipped mountains."
She continues, "So many people go through so much more with so much less to be thankful for. Seeing the beautiful parts of life each day helps me stay grounded and focused on what's most important to me, and keep pressing forward with more treatment."
And even though the process of sharing her journey isn't always easy, she's already seen the benefits of opening up, as fellow sarcoma patients, other young adults with cancer and people with experience living with metastatic cancer have reached out to champion her and show solidarity.
Nix plans on continuing her studies. Her husband, Michael MacIsaac, also bought her a new ring light recently, which means there'll be more content coming soon.
As for what she wants people to know about sarcoma, Nix has this to say: "The most important thing to know about sarcoma cancers is that being seen at a high-volume sarcoma center can save lives," she urges.
"My team here in Calgary is excellent, and they collaborate on my care with other centers here in Canada and the USA too. A list of high-volume sarcoma centers is available through the Sarcoma Alliance website, which is a patient-facing organization."
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