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Bronchial Tumor: Symptoms, Signs and Causes

Home> Bronchial tumour> Symptoms and Causes

Not all patients experience all or the same bronchial tumor symptoms. Both benign and malignant bronchial tumors exhibit symptoms. Some patients may experience early symptoms, while others don’t. The symptoms of bronchial cancer often overlap with those of various respiratory conditions. It is important to know different bronchial tumor symptoms for early detection and effective management of bronchial tumors.

Who is Mainly Affected by Bronchial Tumor?

Bronchial tumors can affect anyone. However, certain individuals have a higher risk of developing this condition than others. Those who smoke tobacco, those who have occupational exposure to hazardous chemicals, those who have radon exposure, those who have prolonged exposure to polluted air, and those with chronic lung diseases are more likely to develop bronchial tumors. Also, having a family history of bronchial tumors increases one’s chances of developing this condition.

These people, who are identified as “high-risk individuals,” should be aware of different signs of bronchial cancer and see a doctor when persistent respiratory symptoms are observed.

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What are the Common Signs and Symptoms of Bronchial Tumor?

The symptoms of bronchial cancer may vary from one patient to another. The symptoms experienced may depend on the type of bronchial tumor, its stage, its grade, the patient’s overall health condition, etc. The following are the different symptoms of bronchial cancer:

Cough

One of the most common bronchial tumor symptoms is persistent coughing, which may worsen over time. When the tumor irritates the airways, it leads to coughing.

Shortness of Breath

Shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing, is another important symptom of bronchial tumors. When the tumor obstructs the airways, patients start experiencing breathlessness; this is more pronounced during physical activities.

Chest Pain

A dull pain or discomfort in the chest is also one of the bronchial tumor symptoms. Tumors growing in the bronchus can cause pressure or irritation, and this causes pain in the chest region.

Wheezing

Bronchial tumors can lead to constricted airways, which in turn lead to a high-pitched whistling sound while breathing.

Hoarseness

Bronchial tumors close to the vocal cord may lead to changes in voice or hoarseness.

Unexplained Weight Loss

Unintended weight loss is one of the most important bronchial tumor symptoms. Bronchial tumors cause weight loss due to tumor-induced metabolic demand, reduced appetite, problems associated with nutrient absorption, increased energy expenditure, and systemic inflammation.

Fatigue

Fatigue or extreme tiredness is also one of the bronchial tumor symptoms. Tumors growing in the bronchi need a significant amount of energy for growth. This need for energy may cause significant changes in the energy metabolism, and patients may experience extreme tiredness.

Frequent Infections

Tumor growth weakens the immune system, and this in turn makes patients susceptible to respiratory infections.

Clubbing of Fingers

Bronchial tumors can cause reduced oxygen levels in the blood, which may cause enlargement of the fingertips and nails curving around them. This is one of the advanced bronchial tumor symptoms.

Fever

Inflammation and infection caused by bronchial tumors may lead to fever. Fever is one of the most important bronchial tumor symptoms, and it should not be ignored.

Bronchial Tumor Type & Its Symptoms

Symptoms of Endobronchial Tumors

Endobronchial tumors cause chest pain, coughing, wheezing, recurrent infections, bleeding, and weight loss.

Symptoms of Hemangiomas

Hemangiomas cause pain and impaired vital functions.

Symptoms of Papillomas

Hoarseness, difficulty speaking/breathing, and wheezing are the common symptoms of papillomas.

Symptoms of Inflammatory Pseudotumours

Common symptoms of inflammatory pseudotumors include coughing, shortness of breath, chest pain, hemoptysis, fever, extreme tiredness, unintended weight loss, and pneumonia.

Symptoms of Leiomyomas

Leiomyomas rarely form in the bronchus. Although asymptomatic, they cause symptoms like chest pain, tiredness, and other respiratory disorders over time.

Symptoms of Mucous Gland Tumors

Persistent coughing, wheezing, breathlessness, and chest pain are the commonly observed symptoms of mucous gland tumors.

Symptoms of Glomus Tumors

Chest pain, cough, and shortness of breath are the commonly observed symptoms of glomus tumors.

Symptoms of Bronchial Adenomas

Breathing difficulties, chest pain, wheezing, and persistent coughing are commonly observed in patients with bronchial adenomas.

Symptoms of Neuroendocrine Tumors

Cough, chest pain, and breathlessness are commonly observed in patients with neuroendocrine tumors.

What are the Common Bronchial Carcinoma Causes?

The exact cause of bronchial carcinoma is unknown. However, it is understood that certain factors may increase the risk of bronchial carcinoma. The following are the different risk factors or possible causes of bronchial tumors:

Tobacco Smoke

Smoking is considered one of the possible bronchial carcinoma causes. The harmful carcinogens present in tobacco can damage the DNA of bronchial cells, weaken the immune system, and affect DNA repair mechanisms. All these factors contribute to increased bronchial tumor risk.

Exposure to Secondhand Smoke

Secondhand smoking, or passive smoking, is as dangerous as active smoking. Those who inhale secondhand smoke are exposed to the harmful carcinogens present in tobacco just as much as active smokers. Therefore, passive smoking is also considered one of the possible bronchial carcinoma causes.

Occupational Exposures

Workers in mining, construction, and manufacturing are exposed to asbestos, arsenic, and other hazardous chemicals. The carcinogens present in these chemicals can increase the risk of bronchial tumors.

Radon Gas

Exposure to radon gas is one of the most important bronchial carcinoma causes. Radon is a radioactive gas present in old homes, especially those with basements. Inhaling this gas for prolonged periods can increase bronchial tumor risk.

Family History

A positive family history of bronchial tumors is also one of the bronchial carcinoma causes. Those with family members diagnosed with lung cancer or respiratory disorders are more likely to develop bronchial tumors.

Air Pollution

Long-term exposure to harmful air pollutants can increase one’s bronchial tumor risk.

Chronic Lung Diseases

Pre-existing lung conditions, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and interstitial lung diseases, can also serve as possible bronchial carcinoma causes.

Age

Increasing age is one of the possible bronchial carcinoma causes. Older individuals have a higher chance of developing bronchial tumors.

When to See a Pulmonologist?

It is important to see a pulmonologist when one starts experiencing persistent respiratory symptoms. Any respiratory symptom that lasts for more than 2 weeks and does not go away with medication should not be ignored. A proper evaluation by a specialist is necessary in such cases.

Conclusion

Bronchial tumors present themselves with multiple symptoms. Most of these symptoms overlap with those of many less serious respiratory conditions. It is important to seek necessary medical attention if these symptoms are persistent. Seeing a specialist, discussing symptoms, and sharing medical history or family history, if any, can help in arriving at an accurate diagnosis.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is bronchial tumor fast-growing?

The growth rate of bronchial tumors depends on various factors, like the type of bronchial tumor, its nature (benign or malignant), and the patient’s overall health condition. Some bronchial tumor types have a rapid growth rate, while others grow at a slower rate.

Bronchial tumors form in the bronchus, the large air passages in the lungs. These tumors arise from the cells that line the bronchi. The exact location of each type of bronchial tumor may vary.

The carcinogens, or harmful chemicals, present in tobacco damage the bronchial cells through inflammation. Carcinogens cause DNA damage, which leads to genetic mutations that cause abnormal cell division and tumor formation eventually.

Prolonged exposure to air pollutants can lead to various bronchial disorders, such as bronchitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), and exacerbate pre-existing conditions, like asthma.