According to the World Health Organization, lung cancer kills more than a million people in the world each year. There are two major types of lung cancers, categorized according to the size of the lung cancer cell: small-cell lung cancer and non-small-cell lung cancer.
Metastatic lung cancer is lung cancer that has spread to other organs in the body. Patients diagnosed with metastatic lung cancer have very low rate of survival. Less than 2 percent of patients diagnosed with metastatic lung cancer live more than 5 years after diagnosis. In "Clinical Oncology," Abeloff et al. report that roughly 30 to 40 percent of patients diagnosed with lung cancer have some signs of metastatic lung cancer.
The Central Nervous System
If lung cancer has metastasized to the brain, patients may experience the following symptoms: severe headache, nausea, vomiting and blurred vision, according to "Clinical Oncology." Patients might also experience some neurological disorders such as seizures, ataxia and confusion. An MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) or a CT (computed tomography) scan can be used to determine the location and the size of the tumor in the brain.
If lung cancer has metastasized to the spinal cord, patients may experience back pain over the spine, bowel or bladder dysfunction and sensory loss. Patients may also experience paraparesis, which is weakness of the lower limbs, or paralegia, which is impairment in motor or sensory function of the lower limbs.
The Bones
Metastatic lung cancer in the bones is most common among small-cell lung cancer patients. If lung cancer has metastasized to the bones, patients may experience localized and severe pain in the bones. Bonetumor.org states that lung cancer metastasis most frequently affects the ribs, spine, pelvis and proximal long bones. Lung cancer also can spread to hands and feet.
Metastatic lung cancer in the bones may also cause bone fractures. An X ray can be used to determine the location of the metastatic cancer.
The Liver
If lung cancer has metastasized to the liver, patients may experience pain in the right-upper quadrant, jaundice (yellowing of skin), weight loss, nausea, loss of appetite and fever.
Other Symptoms
Patients with metastatic lung cancer also have symptoms that are common to lung cancer, such as cough, wheezing, chest pain and shortness of breath, according to the American Cancer Society. Coughing up a large amount of blood is a strong indication of lung cancer.
