Loss of appetite as only major symptom of lung cancer? Highly concerned that doctors have missed lung cancer in me for sixth months

[Zachary]

Hello over the last 6 months or so I have experienced a loss of appetite, I just never feel hungry, it's like the signalling between my stomach and brain is broken. I havn't really lost any weight because I still eat according to the clock but it still bothers me. Over that time I have an abdominal CT scan and colonoscopy that was all normal so all gastro cancers have been ruled out. I just can't help but now worry about lung cancer? Has anyone heard of lung cancer presenting itself in this way? Should I get chest x-ray? I am only 25, but have smoked half a pack a day for 7 years. I really don't seem to have any respiratory symptoms, other than a phlegmy throat at times but I wouldn't call it a cough, also I do have back pain at times but I think this is often linked to stress with me

  Lung cancer has not been mentioned once by any doctor and I have seen MANY, after my adbo ct scan came back clear everyone assumed I was clear of cancer and that was a great relief and we put it down to anxiety/ibs, but I must admit I have still had a nagging feeling that my total lack of hunger needs explaining, I just always thought of lung cancer as a very aggressive disease with obvious symptoms, but it seems certain types of lung cancer can be more insidious. I have never heard of anyone my age getting it and I'm really not a heavy smoker at all but it's not impossible and the more I think about it the more concerned I get. i'm not even sure what the best way to go about things now is, I don't see how I will be able to get an x-ray for at least another month or so....

Also, last few days, along with the aforementioned back pain, I have started experiencing throbbing headaches, and I have honestly never had a headache before this in my life. Which makes me think of brain mets. Obviously I would like to stay alive for as long as possible even if this does turn out to be case, I'm in the UK which I hope doesn't affect my treatment options too much. All in all, if it does turn out to be lung care I am going to feel pretty letdown by the doctors I have seen, as a chest x-ray is a relatively straightforward procedure and it would mean I have had cancer induced anorexia for 6 months undiagnosed, and early detection is so important.

[Tom Galli]

Zachery,

Lung cancer with the only long tenured symptom as loss of appetite?  No, I've not heard of that. It seems like your doctors have been exploring your GI track based on your appetite complaint. 

X-ray may or may not reveal lung cancer.  CT scan is a better diagnostic choice because it can pin point small tumors missed by an x-ray.

Headaches and brain mets?  Most I know were diagnosed with brain mets without any symptoms so headaches are not definitive.

Smoking is the most significant risk factor you've mentioned. And it is the one you have the most control over.  So my advice: ask your medical team for a CT and eliminate the smoking cause factor.

Stay the course.

Tom

 

[Zachary]

Just now, Tom Galli said:

Zachery,

Lung cancer with the only long tenured symptom as loss of appetite?  No, I've not heard of that. It seems like your doctors have been exploring your GI track based on your appetite complaint. 

X-ray may or may not reveal lung cancer.  CT scan is a better diagnostic choice because it can pin point small tumors missed by an x-ray.

Headaches and brain mets?  Most I know were diagnosed with brain mets without any symptoms so headaches are not definitive.

Smoking is the most significant risk factor you've mentioned. And it is the one you have the most control over.  So my advice: ask your medical team for a CT and eliminate the smoking cause factor.

Stay the course.

Tom

Hi I would say it's the only major symptom I have had but not the only symptom, I've had had some pain in my upper back and ribs at times and some weird systemic stuff like digestion issues and dry mouth, I just never thought of lung cancer because of the lack of obvious respiratory issues, how wrong this may have been.  My total of lack of physical hunger has been the main worrying thing though and deep down I have always felt that it needs some serious explaining and now it's occurred to me that the lungs are the last thing to look at.  I'm going to try and see a doctor tomorrow  and at least get an x-ray as soon as possible, all in all I don't feel very well at all and I'm going to try and gear myself up for the worst. 

[Donna G]

Zachary when I was diagnosed with lung cancer I never had had a loss of appetite.  I did have a loss of weight though.

I had pain in my arm and on my chest because the tumor was pressing on a nerve going down my arm.

After I started radiation and chemo they gave me side affects .

Donna G

[Zachary]

Well after a long discussion with my GP he agreed to send me for a chest x-ray, he doesn't think I'm physically ill and reckons I just have anxiety problems, I disagree, he also says any cancer causing me problems for as long as I think it has is highly likely to show up on x-ray, I agree with him there. Not feeling good about it at all as I have had weird headaches last few days which is worryingly implicative of brain mets in my opinion. I will go for it tomorrow, incredibly scared about everything

[Tom Galli]

Zachary,

Let us know the results.

Stay the course.

Tom

[Zachary]

Hello my chest x-ray is assumed normal as I have not heard from doctor in over a week. However, from reading online it seems chest x-ray is far from perfect at detecting lung cancer and I am still having symptoms, so I'm not sure, I would have thought if I'd been symptomatic for 6 months a chest x-ray would be sufficient to tell if I have it not?

[BridgetO]

Hi Zachary,

I suggest that , instead of "assuming" your X-ray is normal, you call your doctor and hear it from him or her. I think it's always good to get definite word about results of any test. 

 

[Zachary]

Just now, BridgetO said:

Hi Zachary,

I suggest that , instead of "assuming" your X-ray is normal, you call your doctor and hear it from him or her. I think it's always good to get definite word about results of any test. 

 

Doctor said I would know after a day or two if anything flagged up

[Zachary]

Hi I went back to my gp for the x-ray results and it was normal with 'no obvious focal lesions'. I know x-rays are from perfect for detection but do you not think it would likely pick anything up considering I have had symptoms for 6 months? What I am concerned about is a malignant tumour right on the periphery of the lungs that maybe would grow and spread without causing respiratory symptoms(and be undetectable on x-ray, perhaps? not sure about this), as I have had worrying headaches, which I fear might be brain mets, but could just be stress. I doubt I'll pursue any more tests as I see little value in it and will just leave it to the 'Gods' now I think, as I have had so many tests of different kinds and it's just been exhausting waiting for results each time etc.