Lung Cancer Quiz
Check your symptoms and
find possible causes with AI for free
Worried about your symptoms?
Start the Lung Cancer test with our free AI Symptom Checker.
This will help us personalize your assessment.
By starting the symptom checker, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
Easily tired
Phlegm
Chest pain
Dry cough
Shortness of breath
Chronic cough
Extreme fatigue
Blood in phlegm
Right side chest pain
Hoarse voice
Unexplained weight loss
Difficulty breathing
Not seeing your symptoms? No worries!
What is Lung Cancer?
Lung cancer is a disease in which malignant cells form in the lungs. Over 80% of lung cancers are caused by smoking and secondhand smoke, while other causes include exposure to fine particles like asbestos and genetic factors.
Typical Symptoms of Lung Cancer
- Producing phlegm that contains blood
- Exposure to dust, asbestos, or chemicals at work
- Previous or active smoker
- Cough
- History of lung cancer
- Wheezing or whistling sounds when breathing
- Recently diagnosed with an abnormality on an X-ray of the chest
- Unintentional weight loss of more than 5% or 4.4lbs/2kg within one month
Diagnostic Questions for Lung Cancer
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this disease:
- Are you producing phlegm that contains blood?
- Have you been exposed to dust, asbestos, or chemicals at work?
- Do you smoke now or have you smoked before (including e-cigarettes)?
- Do you have a cough?
- Have you ever had lung cancer?
Treatment of Lung Cancer
A specialist will confirm the diagnosis and suggest a treatment plan. Options to remove the cancerous area include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or a combination of these. Newer options such as targeted drug therapy and immunotherapy, which uses the body's own immune system to fight the cancer, can also be considered.
Reviewed By:
Phillip Aguila, MD, MBA (Pulmonology, Critical Care)
Dr. Aguila graduated from West Virginia University School of Medicine. He has trained in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at The University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill and Internal Medicine at Medical College of Pennsylvania/Hahnemann University at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. He has served as Assistant Professor since 2010.
Eisaku Kamakura, MD (Pulmonology)
Dr. Kamakura graduated from the Tokyo Medical and Dental University, School of Dentistry, and the Niigata University School of Medicine. He trained at Yokosuka Kyosai Hospital and held positions in the Respiratory Medicine departments at Yokosuka Kyosai Hospital, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Ome City General Hospital, and Musashino Red Cross Hospital. In 2021, he became the specially appointed assistant professor at the Department of General Medicine, Niigata University School of Medicine.
Content updated on Nov 22, 2024
Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy
Was this page helpful?
Tell your friends about us.
We would love to help them too.
Think you might have
Lung Cancer?
Try a symptom check testHow Ubie Can Help You
With a free 3-min Lung Cancer quiz, powered by Ubie's AI and doctors, find possible causes of your symptoms.
This questionnaire is customized to your situation and symptoms, including the following personal information:
Biological Sex - helps us provide relevant suggestions for male vs. female conditions.
Age - adjusts our guidance based on any age-related health factors.
History - considers past illnesses, surgeries, family history, and lifestyle choices.
Your symptoms
Our AI
Your report
Your personal report will tell you
✔ When to see a doctor
✔︎ What causes your symptoms
✔︎ Treatment information etc.
People with similar symptoms also use Ubie's symptom checker to find possible causes
- Cough
- Tickly cough
- Cough with phlegm
- Frequent and violent coughing
- Nighttime cough
- Barking cough
- Wake up because of cough
- Started with a cough
- Hacking cough with whistling noise when drawing breath
- Cough worsens in a specific place at work or home
- Exercise-induced asthma
- Productive cough
See full list
Symptoms Related to Lung Cancer
Diseases Related to Lung Cancer
FAQs
Q.
Agent Orange Exposure? Why Your Health is At Risk and Medically Approved Next Steps
A.
Agent Orange exposure carries serious long-term risks, including lung and prostate cancer, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, hypothyroidism, Parkinson’s, and neuropathy, which can appear decades later; medically approved next steps include a comprehensive evaluation, risk-based screenings, symptom monitoring, risk-factor control, record-keeping, and mental health care. There are several factors to consider for you and your family, including who is at risk, urgent warning signs, and a free online lung cancer symptom check; see below for complete, step-by-step guidance that could change which next steps you take.
References:
* Kang HK, Magee MJ, Vaeth PA. Health consequences of Agent Orange exposure in Vietnam veterans. *Environ Health*. 2018;17(1):1-13.
* Korte JE, et al. Agent Orange and the Epidemiology of Chronic Disease: A Review of Recent Findings. *Mil Med*. 2020;185(Suppl 1):11-19.
* Cifu DX, et al. Clinical evaluation and management of veterans with Agent Orange exposure: a review of current recommendations. *J Rehabil Res Dev*. 2017;54(3):297-308.
* Vergara JM, Kim S, Boudreau E. Update on Health Effects of Agent Orange Exposure. *J Am Acad Physician Assist*. 2019;32(4):16-22.
* Long SE, Smith C. The effects of Agent Orange exposure on the health of Vietnam War veterans: A review. *J Am Assoc Nurse Pract*. 2021;33(7):543-550.
Q.
Is Radon Harming You? Why Your Lungs Are at Risk and Medically Approved Next Steps
A.
Radon is an invisible gas and the second leading cause of lung cancer, and the leading cause in never smokers; the only way to know your risk is to test your home and act at 4 pCi/L or higher. Medically approved next steps are to test now, use certified mitigation if elevated, reduce tobacco exposure, watch for persistent symptoms, and ask your doctor about low dose CT screening if you have high exposure or a smoking history. There are several factors to consider, and important details that could change your next steps are explained below.
References:
* Ruospo M, Cicerchia M, Tiso S, Vetrano I, Sforzini A, Tinterri C, Sguazzotti C, D'Angelo F, Ruggiero F, Stura I, Di Fede V, Borrè S, Saccucci G, Boffano P, Capaccio L, Ciarrocchi A, De Marco M, Di Stolfo G. Radon exposure and lung cancer risk: A systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies. Environ Res. 2021 Jul;198:111246. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.111246. Epub 2021 Mar 31. PMID: 33812837.
* Chen J, Du M, Zhou X, Sun T, Lin G, Zhang S. Risk of Lung Cancer Associated with Residential Radon Exposure: A Meta-Analysis of Studies in China. Sci Rep. 2019 Feb 14;9(1):2100. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-38708-3. PMID: 30765798; PMCID: PMC6375990.
* Denman AR, Crockett RG, Groves-Kirkby CJ. The effect of radon mitigation measures on indoor radon levels in UK homes. Sci Total Environ. 2020 Feb 25;705:135860. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.135860. Epub 2019 Nov 20. PMID: 31759368.
* Ciganović P, Dabić R, Surić J, Popić J, Kraljević V, Prlić D. Public health risk of radon exposure in Croatia. Radiol Oncol. 2022 Sep 1;56(3):351-360. doi: 10.2478/raon-2022-0038. PMID: 36154625; PMCID: PMC9477085.
* Darby S, Hill D, Doll R. Radon in homes and risk of lung cancer: collaborative analysis of individual data from 13 European case-control studies. BMJ. 2005 Jan 29;330(7485):223. doi: 10.1136/bmj.38308.560400.AE. Epub 2004 Dec 17. PMID: 15604313; PMCID: PMC546059.
Q.
Persistent Cough? Lung Cancer Symptoms & Medically Approved Next Steps
A.
A persistent cough lasting over 3 weeks is often from common causes, but red flags like coughing up blood, worsening shortness of breath, chest pain, hoarseness, or unexplained weight loss can signal lung cancer and warrant prompt medical evaluation with possible chest X-ray or CT. There are several factors to consider; see below to understand who is at higher risk, when to seek urgent care, how doctors evaluate a chronic cough, and whether you might need diagnostic testing or low dose CT screening, as these details can affect your next steps.
References:
* JAMA. 2021 Mar 9;325(9):876-887. doi: 10.1001/jama.2021.1772. PMID: 33687470.
* J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2020 Jan;8(1):4-11.e3. doi: 10.1016/j.jaip.2019.09.006. Epub 2019 Sep 18. PMID: 31542426.
* Postgrad Med J. 2021 May;97(1147):281-287. doi: 10.1136/postgradmedj-2020-138382. Epub 2020 Jul 17. PMID: 32680879.
* J Natl Compr Canc Netw. 2023 Mar;21(3):273-309. doi: 10.6004/jnccn.2023.0016. PMID: 36893796.
* Lancet Respir Med. 2013 Dec;1(10):846-56. doi: 10.1016/S2213-2600(13)70200-8. Epub 2013 Oct 29. PMID: 24424362.
Q.
Is it Lung Cancer? Why Your Lungs are Hurting & Medically Approved Next Steps
A.
Most lung pain is not cancer; infections, pleurisy, muscle strain, reflux, and anxiety are far more common, but persistent or worsening pain with red flags like a long lasting cough, coughing blood, shortness of breath, or unexplained weight loss needs prompt evaluation and may warrant imaging or screening if you are high risk. There are several factors to consider and specific, medically approved next steps that can change what you should do next, from when to seek emergency care to who should get low dose CT screening and what to ask your doctor; see the complete guidance below.
References:
* Zafar R, Qureshi S, Patel J, et al. Approach to Pleuritic Chest Pain. In: StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. PMID: 32644406.
* Singh S, Nandy S, Das S, et al. Early Diagnosis and Management of Lung Cancer. Cureus. 2023 Jun 1;15(6):e39818. doi: 10.7759/cureus.39818. PMID: 37377598; PMCID: PMC10237739.
* Al-Jarrah A, Al-Jubouri B, Abuzaid Y, et al. Clinical Presentation of Lung Cancer: A Review. Cureus. 2022 Nov 28;14(11):e31940. doi: 10.7759/cureus.31940. PMID: 36620584; PMCID: PMC9813589.
* Alvi M, Alavi A, Aujla A, et al. Lung Cancer Screening: A Narrative Review. Cureus. 2022 Nov 24;14(11):e31844. doi: 10.7759/cureus.31844. PMID: 36561139; PMCID: PMC9775369.
* Singh B, Gautam S, Singh V. Evaluation of Solitary Pulmonary Nodule. In: StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. PMID: 32809712.
Q.
Lung Cancer? Why Your Lungs Are Warning You & Medical Next Steps
A.
Lung cancer warning signs to take seriously include a persistent or worsening cough, blood in sputum, chest pain with breathing or coughing, new shortness of breath or wheezing, repeat lung infections, and unexplained weight loss, with higher risk from smoking, secondhand smoke, radon, and certain workplace exposures. Act early by scheduling a medical evaluation to review symptoms, get appropriate imaging, and consider low dose CT screening if you are high risk, and seek urgent care for severe breathing trouble or any coughing up of blood. There are several factors to consider that can change your next steps, so see the complete guidance below.
References:
* Van den Heuvel PBW, van Boxtel RMM, de Jonge J, van der Heijden TWM, van den Heuvel PMT, van den Heuvel SHMJ, van den Heuvel-Eibrink TTAM. Early Detection of Lung Cancer: Clinical Presentation and Diagnostic Approach. Cancers (Basel). 2023 Feb 1;15(3):876. doi: 10.3390/cancers15030876. PMID: 36765798; PMCID: PMC9913867.
* Sung S, Jin J, Kim J. Lung cancer: Epidemiology, etiology, screening, diagnosis, and treatment. Transl Lung Cancer Res. 2021 Apr;10(4):1811-1829. doi: 10.21037/tlcr-21-277. PMID: 34017502; PMCID: PMC8105747.
* Cao J, Yu J, Wang X, Pan Z, Shen H. Advances in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer: a review. Signal Transduct Target Ther. 2022 Jul 25;7(1):263. doi: 10.1038/s41392-022-01129-w. PMID: 35879308; PMCID: PMC9313837.
* Aberle DR. Current lung cancer screening guidelines and strategies for implementation. Transl Lung Cancer Res. 2021 Oct;10(10):4086-4107. doi: 10.21037/tlcr-21-507. PMID: 34796120; PMCID: PMC8576403.
* Zarrabian L, Alimohammadi P, Khodabakhshi R, Saeedi P. Current approaches to the management of lung cancer. World J Clin Oncol. 2022 Aug 26;13(8):666-681. doi: 10.5306/wjco.v13.i8.666. PMID: 36110992; PMCID: PMC9470876.
Q.
What are the early signs that fluid might be building up around your lungs?
A.
Early signs of fluid around the lungs, called pleural effusion, can include difficulty breathing, chest pain, and a cough. It's important to seek medical attention if you notice these symptoms.
References:
Domenach L, Rooryck C, Legendre M, Bouchghoul H, Beneteau C, & Margot H. (2025). bilateral pleural effusion as a warning sign. BMC medical genomics, 39994693.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39994693/
Mehta J, & Mehta N. (2025). Postpartum Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory .... Cureus, 40918861.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40918861/
Senitko M, Ray AS, Murphy TE, Araujo KLB, Bramley K, DeBiasi EM, et al. (2019). Safety and Tolerability of Vacuum Versus Manual Drainage .... Journal of bronchology & interventional pulmonology, 30433893.
Q.
Why does lung cancer sometimes cause excessive thirst or dehydration?
A.
Lung cancer can sometimes spread to the pituitary gland, causing a condition called diabetes insipidus, which leads to excessive thirst and dehydration.
References:
Jung JW, Noh GY, Lee TH, Lee YY, Yi KH, Kim CH, & Lee JC. (2007). Polyuria and polydipsia in a patient with non-small-cell .... Clinical lung cancer, 18186962.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18186962/
Tomoda Y, Kai T, Inata J, Miyazaki K, Murai H, Yamaoka N, & Kuraoka T. (2005). [Central diabetes insipidus caused by pituitary metastasis .... Nihon Kokyuki Gakkai zasshi = the journal of the Japanese Respiratory Society, 16457338.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16457338/
Avula S, Chauhan A, Clark HB, & Alameddine H. (2024). A Rare Case of Hypopituitarism Secondary to Metastatic .... Cureus, 39119418.
Q.
Can pleural effusion come back, and how can recurrence be prevented?
A.
Yes, pleural effusion can come back. To prevent it, doctors might use treatments like pleurodesis or surgery.
References:
Neragi-Miandoab S. (2008). Surgical and other invasive approaches to recurrent .... Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer, 18259780.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18259780/
Trivedi SB, & Niemeyer M. (2022). Treating Recurrent Pleural Disease: A Review of .... Seminars in interventional radiology, 36062225.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36062225/
Sonoda A, Jeudy J, White CS, Kligerman SJ, Nitta N, Lempel J, & Frazier AA. (2015). Pleurodesis: indications and radiologic appearance. Japanese journal of radiology, 25791777.
Q.
How is pleural effusion treated, and can removing the fluid help breathing?
A.
Pleural effusion is treated by removing the fluid from the chest, which can help improve breathing by allowing the lungs to expand better.
References:
Karkhanis VS, & Joshi JM. (2012). Pleural effusion: diagnosis, treatment, and management. Open access emergency medicine : OAEM, 27147861.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27147861/
Razazi K, Thille AW, Carteaux G, Beji O, Brun-Buisson C, Brochard L, & Mekontso Dessap A. (2014). Effects of pleural effusion drainage on oxygenation .... Annals of the American Thoracic Society, 25079591.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25079591/
Talmor M, Hydo L, Gershenwald JG, & Barie PS. (1998). Beneficial effects of chest tube drainage of pleural effusion .... Surgery, 9481398.
Q.
What conditions can cause pleural effusion in the first place?
A.
Pleural effusion happens when fluid builds up in the space around the lungs. It can be caused by heart failure, infections, cancer, and other conditions.
References:
Jany B, & Welte T. (2019). Pleural Effusion in Adults-Etiology, Diagnosis, and Treatment. Deutsches Arzteblatt international, 31315808.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31315808/
Valdés L, Alvarez D, Valle JM, Pose A, & San José E. (1996). The etiology of pleural effusions in an area with high .... Chest, 8549179.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8549179/
Shen-Wagner J, Gamble C, & MacGilvray P. (2023). Pleural Effusion: Diagnostic Approach in Adults. American family physician, 37983698.
Q.
When should you see a doctor for shortness of breath that might be due to pleural effusion?
A.
If you have trouble breathing and think it might be from fluid around your lungs, see a doctor soon to find out why and get the right treatment.
References:
Lew SQ. (2010). pleural effusion associated with peritoneal dialysis. Peritoneal dialysis international : journal of the International Society for Peritoneal Dialysis, 20056973.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20056973/
Barlascini C, Piroddi MG, Perazzo A, Senarega R, Santo M, & Nicolini A. (2015). report of two cases and a brief review of the literature. Pneumologia (Bucharest, Romania), 26506672.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26506672/
Jung Y, Yi E, Lee S, & Chung JH. (2025). Clinical outcome of urgent thoracoscopic surgery on .... Journal of thoracic disease, 39975742.
Q.
Where does lung cancer tend to metastasize?
A.
Lung cancer often metastasizes to the brain, liver, bones, and adrenal glands.
References:
Riihimäki, Matias, et al. "Metastatic sites and survival in lung cancer." Lung cancer 86.1 (2014): 78-84.
Ubie is supervised by 50+ medical experts worldwide
Our symptom checker AI is continuously refined with input from experienced physicians, empowering them to make more accurate diagnoses.
Ubie is recognized by healthcare and tech leaders
“World’s Best Digital
Health Companies”
Newsweek 2024
“Best With AI”
Google Play Best of 2023
“Best in Class”
Digital Health Awards 2023 (Quarterfinalist)
Which is the best Symptom Checker?
Ubie’s symptom checker demonstrated a Top-10 hit accuracy of 71.6%, surpassing the performance of several leading symptom checkers in the market, which averaged around 60% accuracy in similar assessments.
Link to full study:
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.08.29.24312810v1References
Rivera GA, Wakelee H. Lung Cancer in Never Smokers. Adv Exp Med Biol. 2016;893:43-57. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-24223-1_3. PMID: 26667338.
https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-319-24223-1_3Hoy H, Lynch T, Beck M. Surgical Treatment of Lung Cancer. Crit Care Nurs Clin North Am. 2019 Sep;31(3):303-313. doi: 10.1016/j.cnc.2019.05.002. Epub 2019 Jul 5. PMID: 31351552.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0899588519300292?via%3DihubRodriguez-Canales J, Parra-Cuentas E, Wistuba II. Diagnosis and Molecular Classification of Lung Cancer. Cancer Treat Res. 2016;170:25-46. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-40389-2_2. PMID: 27535388.
https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-319-40389-2_2