What are some uncommon presentations of lung cancer?

Lung cancer is a common malignant tumor that primarily occurs in the epithelial cells of the lungs. Its typical symptoms include long-term coughing, coughing up blood, chest pain, and difficulty breathing. However, lung cancer may also present some less common or atypical symptoms, which are often easily overlooked or misdiagnosed, making early detection of the disease challenging. Below are some uncommon manifestations of lung cancer:

1. Polymyositis: One of the early symptoms of lung cancer, it may appear before typical lung cancer symptoms and is characterized by progressive generalized weakness, loss of appetite, and, in severe cases, difficulty walking.

2. Gynecomastia in males: Also known as "male breast enlargement," this involves the enlargement of one or both breasts in males resembling those of females. This symptom is often overlooked and may even be misdiagnosed as simple breast hyperplasia.

3. Hoarseness accompanied by shortness of breath: This may be caused by tumor compression of the recurrent laryngeal nerve, leading to unexplained hoarseness of voice.

4. Swollen neck lymph nodes: Noticeable swelling of lymph nodes on one side of the neck may be related to lymph node metastasis of lung cancer.

5. Bone pain or fractures: Lung cancer can sometimes metastasize to bones, especially the spine, pelvis, and long bones of the limbs, causing bone pain or even pathological fractures.

6. Neurological symptoms: When lung cancer spreads to the brain or spinal cord, it may cause symptoms such as headache, dizziness, blurred vision, limb weakness, and sensory abnormalities. Additionally, lung cancer can lead to a condition called paraneoplastic neuromuscular syndrome, which manifests as muscle weakness, muscle atrophy, and autonomic nerve dysfunction.

If any of the above symptoms occur, especially if they persist or progressively worsen, it is recommended to seek medical examination at a hospital immediately.