Lung cancer physical examination

Lung cancer Microchapters

Home

Patient Information

Overview

Historical Perspective

Classification

Pathophysiology

Causes

Differentiating Lung cancer from other Diseases

Epidemiology and Demographics

Risk Factors

Screening

Natural History, Complications and Prognosis

Diagnosis

Diagnostic study of choice

History and Symptoms

Physical Examination

Laboratory Findings

Electrocardiogram

X-ray

Echocardiography and Ultrasound

CT scan

MRI

Other Imaging Findings

Other Diagnostic Studies

Treatment

Medical Therapy

Surgery

Primary Prevention

Secondary Prevention

Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy

Future or Investigational Therapies

Case Studies

Case #1

Lung cancer physical examination On the Web

Most recent articles

Most cited articles

Review articles

CME Programs

Powerpoint slides

Images

American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Lung cancer physical examination

All Images
X-rays
Echo & Ultrasound
CT Images
MRI

Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov

US National Guidelines Clearinghouse

NICE Guidance

FDA on Lung cancer physical examination

CDC on Lung cancer physical examination

Lung cancer physical examination in the news

Blogs on Lung cancer physical examination

Directions to Hospitals Treating Lung cancer

Risk calculators and risk factors for Lung cancer physical examination

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief:  Saarah T. Alkhairy M.D Dildar Hussain, MBBS [2]

## Overview[edit | edit source]

Common physical examination findings of lung cancer include decreased/absent breath sounds, pallor, low-grade fever, and tachypnea.

## Physical Examination[edit | edit source]

Common physical examination findings of lung cancer include decreased/absent breath sounds, pallor, low-grade fever, and tachypnea.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]

### Appearance of the Patient[edit | edit source]

* Lethargic
* Emaciated
* Confused
* Upper body obesity

### Vital Signs[edit | edit source]

* Vital signs are generally within normal limit, but patients with severe disease may present with:

* Low-grade fever
* Decreased SPO2
* Tachypnea
* Tachycardia
* Hypotension

### Skin[edit | edit source]

* Pallor
* Jaundice

### HEENT[edit | edit source]

* Jaundice
* Lymphadenopathy
* Visual defects
* Rounded face
* Increased fat around the neck

### Neck[edit | edit source]

* Neck examination of patients with lung cancer is usually normal.

### Lungs[edit | edit source]

* Decreased/absent breath sounds

### Heart[edit | edit source]

* Cardiovascular examination of patients with lung cancer is usually normal.

### Abdomen[edit | edit source]

* Discomfort on palpation
* Hepatomegaly
* Ascites

### Back[edit | edit source]

* Back examination of patients with lung cancer is usually normal.

### Genitourinary[edit | edit source]

* Genitourinary examination of patients with lung cancer is usually normal.

### Neuromuscular[edit | edit source]

* Bone pain
* Fractures (usually in the vertebrae, femur, pelvic bones, and the ribs)
* Cranial nerve palsies

### Extremities[edit | edit source]

* Clubbing of fingers
* Swelling of hands and feet
* Weakness
* Hemiplegia
* Shoulder pain (caused by a Pancoast tumor)
* Thinning arms and legs

## References[edit | edit source]

1. ↑ Degner, Lesley F.; Sloan, Jeffrey A. (1995). "Symptom distress in newly diagnosed ambulatory cancer patients and as a predictor of survival in lung cancer". Journal of Pain and Symptom Management. 10 (6): 423–431. doi:10.1016/0885-3924(95)00056-5. ISSN 0885-3924.
2. ↑ Feinstein AR, Wells CK (1990). "A clinical-severity staging system for patients with lung cancer". Medicine (Baltimore). 69 (1): 1–33. PMID 2299974.
3. ↑ Chute CG, Greenberg ER, Baron J, Korson R, Baker J, Yates J (1985). "Presenting conditions of 1539 population-based lung cancer patients by cell type and stage in New Hampshire and Vermont". Cancer. 56 (8): 2107–11. PMID 2992757.
4. ↑ Hirshberg B, Biran I, Glazer M, Kramer MR (1997). "Hemoptysis: etiology, evaluation, and outcome in a tertiary referral hospital". Chest. 112 (2): 440–4. PMID 9266882.
5. ↑ Kuo CW, Chen YM, Chao JY, Tsai CM, Perng RP (2000). "Non-small cell lung cancer in very young and very old patients". Chest. 117 (2): 354–7. PMID 10669674.
6. ↑ Lepper PM, Ott SR, Hoppe H, Schumann C, Stammberger U, Bugalho A, Frese S, Schmücking M, Blumstein NM, Diehm N, Bals R, Hamacher J (2011). "Superior vena cava syndrome in thoracic malignancies". Respir Care. 56 (5): 653–66. doi:10.4187/respcare.00947. PMID 21276318.
7. ↑ Buccheri, G. (2004). "Lung cancer: clinical presentation and specialist referral time". European Respiratory Journal. 24 (6): 898–904. doi:10.1183/09031936.04.00113603. ISSN 0903-1936.

Template:WikiDoc Sources