Bronchoalveolar carcinoma is a cancer of the epithelial cells within the lung and is considered a type of non-small cell lung cancer that develops within the airways. The cancer develops due to genetic mutations in epithelial cells within the lung, so patients who have excessive exposure to mutation-causing chemicals, such as those in cigarette smoke, are often at a higher risk of developing bronchoalveolar lung carcinoma. The cancer can lead to a number of symptoms, depending on the lung tissue affected and the severity of the tumor.
Persistent Coughing
A common sign of bronchoalveolar lung cancer is persistent coughing, which may occur due to cancer in the bronchi or the alveoli. Cancer growth in the bronchi leads to a progressive narrowing of the airways, so patients may have difficulty drawing air into the lungs and may therefore cough. Cancer growth in the alveoli can decrease lung capacity, leading to difficulty breathing and persistent coughing. The UCSF Medical Center indicates that coughing due to lung cancer often gets worse over time, and patients can eventually develop other symptoms as the cough continues.
Coughing Up Bloody Sputum
Another possible symptom of bronchoalveolar carcinoma is coughing up bloody sputum. Bronchoalveolar cancer growth in the bronchi can lead to markedly increased mucus production, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. This leads to coughing up large amounts of phlegm. As the cancer progresses, bronchoalveolar carcinoma cells destroy other lung tissues, causing bleeding within the lungs. This buildup further contributes to coughing, and patients may begin to cough up mucus containing blood or blood alone. Coughing up blood is a serious medical symptom and requires immediate medical attention to address the possibility of lung cancer.
Chest Pain
Another symptom of bronchoalveolar carcinoma is chest pain, reports MedlinePlus. Damage to the lungs as a result of cancer growth may cause some chest pain, and persistent coughing over time may also cause pain in cancer patients. As bronchoalveolar carcinoma progresses, cancer cells begin to migrate out of the lungs and into small structures called lymph nodes, which are found throughout the chest cavity. Cancer colonization causes lymph nodes to enlarge and swell and eventually mat together. This growth often causes chest pain as the swollen lymph node places pressure on neighboring nerves. Pain as a result of lung cancer growth is often constantly present and gets worse over time as the cancer progresses. Patients suffering from unexplained chest pain should seek medical attention to determine the underlying cause of the pain.
