Lung cancer how does it affect the body

Along with physical pain, fatigue is one of the most commonly reported physical effects of lung cancer. Notably, fatigue and shortness of breath are both side effects of chemotherapy, the most common form of treatment for lung cancer.

Chemotherapy reduces your red blood cells, which distribute oxygen throughout the body, providing physical energy. Fewer red blood cells means less oxygen, which in turn means less energy.

Given that lung cancer and chemotherapy both cause fatigue and shortness of breath, determining the cause of either symptom can be difficult. Is it the tumor, the treatment — something else? Smoking, for example, can reduce lung capacity and produce fatigue, obscuring the onset of lung cancer symptoms. Additionally, the emotional toll of living with cancer — including depression — can cause fatigue.

Some specialists recommend keeping a side-effect journal to better help you understand the cause of your fatigue. You can keep a daily written record of your physical symptoms, such as when you felt fatigued, how long it lasted, and what you may have been doing or eating before the fatigue crept in. Sharing these observations with your doctor can provide a clearer picture of what is causing the fatigue and how to treat it. Another common physical effect of lung cancer is a loss of appetite , which can lead to unhealthy weight loss.

Approximately half of all people with cancer experience cancer anorexia-cachexia syndrome CACS. Anorexia refers to loss of appetite, and cachexia refers to malnutrition and physical wasting.

People undergoing chemotherapy or radiation can experience diarrhea, nausea, changes in taste, and vomiting, all of which can contribute to cachexia. The emotional burden of living with a cancer diagnosis can affect eating habits as well. Loss of appetite and weight can have a marked effect on your quality of life. The symptoms are associated with a higher rate of post-surgical complications, as well as with chemotherapy that is less effective and has more side effects.

CACS can also affect your ability to receive specific treatments. Medications used to treat cachexia include Cannabinoids and Dronabinols — such as Marinol or Syndros — and corticosteroids such as Prednisone, Predonisolone, or Methylprednisone. Respiratory symptoms can also be caused by lung cancer, including:.

Lung cancer can cause fluid to build up in the chest cavity, particularly in the space surrounding the affected lung. Known as pleural effusion , this buildup can cause symptoms, such as shortness of breath and chest pain. People receiving either chemotherapy or radiation treatment for lung cancer should be aware that both treatments employ ionizing radiation, which can cause short- or long-term damage to healthy lung tissue.

That, in turn, can lead to breathing difficulties. Successfully managing these symptoms is key to improving day-to-day living of people with lung cancer. A combination of pulmonary rehabilitation and social support , tailored to your specific needs, can be effective.

The condition has other lesser-known effects, however, that you may not associate with lung cancer or its treatment. Cardiotoxicity, which is damage to the heart muscle, may develop after lung-cancer treatment. Some may be reversible, but most of it usually is not. It can also cause pain in the shoulder. Cancer that spreads to the bones can lead to bone and muscle pain, weakened bones, and an increased risk of fracture. Imaging tests such as X-rays or bone scans can help your doctor detect cancer in the bones.

Certain types of lung cancer are associated with the development of Lambert-Eaton syndrome, which is an autoimmune disorder. Lambert-Eaton syndrome interrupts the signals from the nerves to the muscles and can cause muscle weakness, which can affect:.

Hormone fluctuations can make you feel weak and dizzy and may contribute to weight loss. Your doctor can use imaging tests to look for cancer in the adrenal glands.

When lung cancer reaches stage 3, it has spread from the lungs to other nearby tissue or far away lymph nodes. Learn about symptoms, treatment, and…. Have you or a loved one been diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer? Learn what to expect so you can get the best possible treatment and comfort. Learn how a lung cancer diagnosis may affect your mental well-being and what you can do to protect your mental health.

Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Share on Pinterest. Respiratory system. Circulatory and cardiovascular systems. Immune and excretory systems. Central nervous system. Skeletal and muscular systems. Other systems. Read this next. Stage 4 Lung Cancer: What to Expect. Medically reviewed by Jenneh Rishe, RN. Medically reviewed by Tiffany Taft, PsyD.

The first is when a tumor blocks off an airway and essentially takes that piece of lung "out of commission. The second is similar to the first but goes one further step. When an airway is blocked by tumor, the mucus trapped within the lung can get infected, leading to a build-up of pus in the air sacs of the lung. This process is termed "obstructive pneumonia and produces not only shortness of breath but fevers and chills as well.

Finally, lung cancer can affect breathing by leading to fluid accumulation in the space between the lung and the ribs. The lung is a soft, spongy tissue while the chest wall is solid and composed of muscle and bone. Thus, when the fluid accumulation is large enough it will compress the spongy lung and the air sacs within the lung will collapse.

With no oxygen getting into the air sacs, the patient becomes short of breath.