Types of Signs & Symptoms of Lung Cancer in Males

Men are more vulnerable than females to acquiring a form of lung cancer called squamous cell carcinoma. Lung cancer arises when malignant cells inside the lung start growing uncontrollably. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) as well as small cell lung cancer (SCLC) are the two major types of lung cancer. Only about 10%–15%  of lung cancer instances are SCLC, while about 80%–85% of lung cancer cases are NSCLC. Adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and large cell carcinoma are some of the sub-classes of NSCLC.

Lung cancer commonly occurs in individuals between 45 and 75 years of age. Between 80% and 90% of cases of lung cancer in various nations are brought on by a lengthy history of tobacco consumption (smoking). Chain smokers have a significantly greater probability of having the disease than occasional smokers have. The risk of developing lung cancer is significantly more for people who started consuming tobacco at an early age than for people who do not smoke/consume tobacco.

Asbestos as well as radon exposure are two additional risk factors for this cancer. Smokers who are sensitive to these chemicals have a higher risk of acquiring lung cancer than non-smokers. The employees of certain hydrocarbon-related industries, like coal processing and tar refining industries, along with roofers, fabricators, people who are exposed to ethers on a regular basis, and the miners of uranium  experience a higher occurrence of this disease than regular population. Tumours can develop in any part of the lung; however, symptoms typically don’t show up until the condition has progressed or moved to another organ in the body. The most typical signs include a chronic cough and breathlessness.

Symptoms of lung cancer in male

Males with lung cancer frequently experience pain in the chest, breathlessness, tiredness, and a chronic cough. These symptoms develop commonly because they are all associated with squamous cell carcinoma, the most prevalent type of lung cancer in males. The likelihood of developing squamous cell carcinoma differs between the sexes, and men are more likely than women to develop it. Male deaths related to cancer are most frequently caused by lung cancer. To ensure that the disease is discovered in the initial stages when it is most curable, it is important to know how lung cancer symptoms may distinctively manifest in males.

Similar to a heart disease, which has different effects on men and women, lung cancer in males and females can have diverse impacts according to gender as well. The differences in cigarette consumption behaviour between the two genders might be the reason for diverse impacts.  Men smoke cigarettes more frequently than women, which makes the men more vulnerable to several forms of lung cancer that smokers are sensitive to.

Early symptoms of lung cancer in males include:

• A persistent cough, one that increases, or alters an already bad cough
• Blood in the cough
• Chest, spinal, or shoulder pain that gets worse when you laugh, cough, or take deep breaths
• Breathlessness during routine tasks
• Unexpected weight loss
• Experiencing fatigue or weakness
• Reduced appetite
• Persistent lung illnesses like bronchitis or pneumonia
• A scratchy voice or wheezing

Symptoms of Non-small cell lung cancer

Before symptoms can be observed, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) might progress slowly for some time. There are several typical signs of non-small cell lung cancer in males. Some of these signs are provided here:

• Prolonged coughing, especially when there is no clear reason for it
• Coughing that releases reddish phlegm or blood (haemoptysis)
• Breathing difficulty or chest pain
• Respiratory issues or lack of breath
• Fatigue or experiencing particularly low energy levels
• A raspy voice or wheezing
• Recurring respiratory illnesses, such as pneumonia or bronchitis
• Bone aches

The growth or progression of NSCLC lung tumours may have an effect on other parts of the body. These effects can include:

Neurological impact – The brain might be affected by lung cancer. Headaches and even seizures could result from this effect. If a big lung tumour starts pressing against a nerve, numbness may develop in the legs and arms.

Lung tumour – Lymph nodes may get affected by cancer’s progression in advanced phases. Lung tumours that are close to the surface of the skin might occasionally appear as a lump.
Horner syndrome – Lung tumours may impair nerves. Nerve injury is related to a particular combination of symptoms known as Horner syndrome. A droopy eyelid as well as a smaller pupil size are frequent symptoms that only affect one part of the face (right or left eyelid/pupil).

Paraneoplastic syndromes – Paraneoplastic syndromes are a group of events that are brought on by chemical substances that cancerous cells can produce. Hypercalcemia, excessive bone development, and blood clots are a few symptoms that might be present.

Symptoms of small cell lung cancer

The majority of small cell lung cancer (SCLC) symptoms don’t appear until the disease has advanced. Normally, as the illness progresses to multiple organs, the clinical signs of small-cell lung cancer transpire and continue to change.
The early signs and symptoms of small cell lung cancer include:

• Chronic cough
• Chest pain that worsens when you breathe deeply and cough
• Hoarseness
• An unexpected loss of appetite and loss of weight
• Coughing out rust-coloured mucus or blood
• Breathing difficulty
• Chronically fatigued or exhausted
• Pneumonia, bronchitis, or other recurrent illnesses
• Wheezing

In advanced stages of SCLC, these symptoms can be seen:

• Aching in bones
• Dizzy spells, migraines, or weakened or numbed limbs
• Jaundice
• Lumps near the clavicle (collarbone) or neck

Symptoms of squamous cell lung carcinoma

Many patients don’t show any symptoms of squamous cell lung carcinoma until the disease has progressed. Here are some of the most typical signs of this cancer:

• Recurring cough
• Sputum containing blood
• Breathing difficulties or a wheezing
• Harsh voice
• Unexpected weight reduction pain in the chest, particularly when breathing deeply or coughing
• Reduced appetite
• Tiredness

Those who have squamous cell lung cancer may also develop recurrent lung infections. They include bronchitis or pneumonia. The following are some signs that squamous cell lung cancer may have progressed towards other organs in the body.

• Enlarged lymph nodes
• Headache
• Stiffness or numbing in the limbs, dizzy spells
• Skeletal pain
• Seizures