Is sneezing a sign of lung cancer?

Answer 1

I cannot say for certain because I am not a doctor. But I had been a serial sneezer for some years before being diagnosed with lung cancer last August (2011). I initially consulted my doctor because I kept feeling feverish, especially in the evenings. The symptoms were rather like those associated with a bad cold or flu - including a persistent cough, which I put down to quite heavy smoking for nigh on forty years. So I requested a blood test which showed I had some kind of 'inflammation' in my body. 'Inflammation of chronic disease'; they called it. This led to an X-Ray, CT scan and PET scan which confirmed 'an abnormality' in my right lung. They did a bronchoscopy but could not find any cancer cells. 'Just dead tissue -- like the rotten part in the middle of an orange,' explained the consultant.

Nevertheless, 'the team' had a meeting and decided to give me an intensive course of radiotherapy (one session every day for twenty days). No big deal per se, apart from a slight sore throat and difficulty swallowing, which began towards the end of the treatment and lasted a few weeks. Sucking strong mints was a great help. The worst part was getting to the hospital and back first thing in the mornings. I could have stayed in the hospital. But I didn't fancy that at all. Anyhow, after the last treatment I felt as fit as a fiddle and three months later another CT scan and X-Ray showed that the 'abnormality' had shrunk somewhat.

Right now I am still feeling better than I've felt for years, but am still sneezing several times at the one go, just as I was before. I get these sneezing fits every few days. So did my poor dad, who sadly fell victim to lung cancer several years ago. But he was much older than I am now and had lots of other things wrong with him too, including diabetes. Our neighbour next door was also a serial sneezer and also died from cancer, of the prostate. He was even older than dad - in his mid-eighties.

However, since having my treatment I am exceedingly well and eating like a horse. Fingers crossed.

This is the extent of my experience regarding the question asked. On an academic level I do believe that persistent sneezing could be a sign of cancer. I think this because of my family experience and the fact that the cancer I was diagnosed with was producing 'virus-like' symptoms (runny nose/fever) similar to those produced by other virus-induced illnesses, like the common cold and influenza etc. As most biology students know, all viruses have to do three things to ensure their survival:

1. Get into (infect) a host organism;

2. Replicate within the host organism;

3. Get out of the host organism (sneezing/diarrhoea/mucus) to infect other organisms.

But my 'virus angle' re cancer is just that of a layman. For a qualified view you need to consult an oncologist.

They say that the secret of surviving lung cancer, or ANY cancer, is to get it diagnosed as early as possible. This means that, if you think any symptoms you have could be cancer-related, you MUST see your doctor without delay. internet advice is all very well, but there's no substitute for professional medical care. Seriously!

I hope this has been helpful and that everything turns out well for you.

Answer 2

Coughing up phlegm is so nonspecific and may result from many disease states involving the respiratory tract. If you just have a cough that's productive of phlegm, you likely have a respiratory infection of some sort that should clear in a week or so. Other diagnoses to consider should the cough continue are: TB, bronchitis, sarcoidosis, Asthma, postnasal drip, Allergies, GERD, and yes, even cancer. If your symptoms don't improve within a few weeks, see a doc so he/she can more fully work you up.