Oncology: a sign of cancer that is important for determining the risk of death

1

This key symptom affects thousands of cancer patients every year.

There are many factors that determine the prognosis of cancer. The most significant is the stage of the disease. However, the nature of your symptoms can also give an idea of ​​your prognosis.

Hematuria gives some idea of ​​your chances of survival. Hematuria is a common symptom of lung cancer. This term describes coughing up blood from a source below the glottis (the area between the vocal cords). It can range from a small amount of blood-streaked sputum to massive bleeding with life-threatening consequences. The rate of bleeding is the most important factor determining mortality.

A “massive” cough of blood occurs in about 5 to 15 percent of patients with hemoptysis.

In primary care settings, the incidence of hemoptysis has been estimated to be one in 1,000 patients per year. There are other warning signs associated with a cough that may indicate lung cancer.

“Coughing most of the time or a change in a cough that you have had for a long time may also indicate lung cancer.”

It is worth noting that changes in cough are not always a sign of something serious. For example, a cough is also a symptom of coronavirus or a cold.

Other common signs of lung cancer include:

• Having trouble doing things you used to do without a problem
• Coughing up blood-tinged phlegm
• Having chest or shoulder pain
• Chest infections that keep coming back, or a chest infection that doesn't go away
• Loss of appetite
• Feeling tired all the time
• Weight loss