Signs and symptoms due to distant spread of lung cancer

The primary tumor of lung cancer can spread from its original site to distant organs (a process called metastasis). Depending upon the site of development, these metastatic lesions can cause various symptoms. The commonest sites of metastasis are liver, bones, brain, other parts of the lung and adrenal glands. Metastatic disease to the liver may cause symptoms of liver impairment, including development of jaundice. Metastatic disease to the brain may cause headache, double vision, change in metal status, and seizures.In general the metastatic disease to the adrenal glands are asymptomatic. Metastatic disease to the spinal bone may cause compression of the spinal cord leading neurological pain symptoms and paralysis. Bone lesions are usually detected by bone scan, liver lesions are best visualized using a CT scan or PET scan. MRI of the brain is the best imaging technique to detect brain lesions. You can find information on techniques used to visualize metastatic disease in our section on on imaging techniques used in cancer.

Paraneoplastic syndromes
Many cancers including lung cancer may cause symptoms and signs that can not be explained by the direct effects of the tumor on the surrounding tissues. Small cell lung cancer is well known to cause symptoms and signs due to hormonal production. SIADH is a common example (SIADH stands for syndrome of inappropriate anti-diuretic hormone) which causes low sodium levels in the blood. Small cell lung cancer may also secrete or release adrenocortical hormones, causing symptoms and findings of excesses steroid hormones in the body. Lack of appetite and weight loss are very common examples of paraneoplastic syndromes.

Neurological syndromes
Lung cancer may lead to specific neurological syndromes like Lamber-Eaton syndrome (a syndrome consisting of easy fatigue in muscles), cortical cerebellar degeneration, and peripheral neuropathy (damage to the nerve endings in the fingers and toes),

Clubbing
Clubbing is referred to an alternation in the shape of the finger tips, with obliteration of the angle between the nail and nail bed. Clubbing may occur in variety of diseases including lung cancer

Did you know?
The primary tumor of lung cancer can spread from its original site to distant organs (a process called metastasis). Depending upon the site of development, these metastatic lesions can cause various symptoms. The commonest sites of metastasis are liver, bones, brain, other parts of the lung and adrenal glands. Metastatic disease to the liver may cause symptoms of liver impairment, including development of jaundice. Metastatic disease to the brain may cause headache,