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Lung cancer is a malignant tumour that originates in the lungs, often triggered by smoking, exposure to carcinogens and genetic mutations. If left undiagnosed, lung cancer can spread rapidly, leading to severe symptoms, organ damage and ultimately, death. Early diagnosis is crucial, as it significantly improves treatment outcomes and survival rates. Lung cancer often presents subtly at first which is why early signs are frequently ignored or mistaken for more common respiratory conditions. However, there are certain symptoms that warrant attention and timely investigation, as experts suggest.

In a conversation with The Daily Jagran, Dr. Mandeep Singh Malhotra, Director of Surgical Oncology at the CK Birla Hospital, Delhi shared the early warning signs of lung cancer that one should not ignore.

Warning Signs Of Lung Cancer

1. A persistent cough that doesn’t improve even after 2–3 weeks of treatment with antibiotics or antihistamines is one of the earliest and most significant warning signs. When a cough becomes chronic and progressively worse, especially without seasonal variation or relief from bronchodilators, it should be evaluated further.

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2. Blood-streaked sputum or rust-coloured expectoration is another alarming sign that points to possible internal bleeding often associated with malignancy. Shortness of breath that worsens gradually, especially in the absence of other causes like asthma or infection is also a red flag. This breathlessness may become more resistant to usual treatments over time as the tumour obstructs more of the airway.

3. Unexplained weight loss, loss of appetite and chest pain during deep breathing or physical activity, also called pleuritic pain further reinforce the need for medical evaluation. While conditions like tuberculosis can mimic some of these symptoms, lung cancer tends to show minimal or no response to conventional therapies.

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Doctors typically follow a structured evaluation pathway: beginning with symptom assessment followed by imaging like high-resolution CT scans, bronchoscopy and eventually biopsy. Newer tools like liquid biopsy are also emerging as helpful in distinguishing between cancerous and infectious causes using just a blood sample. Early recognition and referral can drastically improve outcomes.

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