Cough is a common occurrence with viral infections or mild ailments. Some cases last only two or three days, while others can continue for weeks. However, many people experience a sudden chest pain accompanying the cough, which persists for several days. This raises the question of whether this combination of symptoms is a sign of lung cancer.
According to data from the American Cancer Society, severe chest pain when coughing can indicate the presence of a malignant tumor. To understand the causes of the pain, specialists consulted a doctor.
Dr. Diraj Rawat from the pulmonology department of Safdarjung Hospital explains that intense or prolonged coughing creates significant pressure on the chest muscles and ribs. With prolonged coughing, muscle tension and pain can occur. When a person coughs, this pressure increases, causing chest discomfort.
Dr. Diraj notes that chest pain can be a symptom of lung cancer, and sometimes it worsens with coughing or deep inhalation. Nevertheless, a diagnosis of cancer cannot be made based on this single symptom alone. It is necessary to consider how long the cough lasts. It is also important to check if there is blood in the sputum or a sharp weight loss.
If the listed signs are observed, examinations such as CT and MRI are conducted. If a mass is found in the lungs on these scans, a biopsy may be ordered.
Even if the cough is not accompanied by other obvious symptoms, it should not be ignored. If the cough lasts more than two weeks and does not subside after taking syrups or medications, it is necessary to consult a doctor for treatment.