Slides last updated: October 2013
NSCLC is most often diagnosed at an advanced stage
Early lung cancer may not cause any symptoms.1 25% of
people with lung cancer have no symptoms when lung cancer
is diagnosed; the remaining 75% develop some symptoms2
Many of the symptoms that do appear with more advanced
disease can be mistaken for other illnesses3
 Bronchitis
 Pneumonia
 Consequences of cigarette smoking
1. MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. Lung cancer - non-small cell. Available from
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/007194.htm, accessed on 15/09/2013.
2. WebMD. Lung Cancer Health Center: Lung Cancer Symptoms. Available from: www.webmd.com/lung-cancer/lung-cancersymptoms, accessed on 15/09/2013.
3. Thomas K. Patient information: Lung cancer risks, symptoms, and diagnosis
(Beyond the Basics). Available from www.uptodate.com/contents/lung-cancer-risks-symptoms-and-diagnosis-beyond-the-basics,
accessed on 15/09/2013.
Some common NSCLC symptoms1,2
Mortality is greatly
improved when lung
cancer is diagnosed early.
It is very important to discuss any
potential lung cancer symptoms with
a health care provider
Worsening Long-Term Cough
Chronic Cough
Wheezing
Loss of appetite
Recurrent Pneumonia
Hoarseness
Shortness of Breath
Constant Chest Pain
Weight Loss
Haemoptysis
Fatigue
Recurrent Bronchitis
1. MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. Lung cancer - non-small cell. Available from
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/007194.htm, accessed on 15/09/2013.
2. Thomas K. Patient information: Lung cancer risks, symptoms, and diagnosis
(Beyond the Basics). Available from www.uptodate.com/contents/lung-cancer-risks-symptoms-and-diagnosis-beyond-the-basics,
accessed on 15/09/2013.
Symptoms of metastatic NSCLC may vary widely
Symptoms of metastatic lung cancer may vary widely and often
coincide with the site of tumour metastasis1
Seizures
Dizziness
Jaundice
Lumps near the surface of the
Headaches
body, (lymph nodes) often in the
neck or above the collarbone
Bone pain
Weakness or numbness
Bleeding or blood clots
of the arms or legs
Clusters of symptoms or paraneoplastic syndromes can point to
a possible lung cancer1
1. WebMD. Lung Cancer Health Center: Lung Cancer Symptoms. Available from: www.webmd.com/lung-cancer/lung-cancersymptoms, accessed on 15/09/2013.