| Complications are usually related to the degree of metastasis. Lung cancer often invades surrounding tissue, including the ribs, major blood vessels, and/or major nerves, which can cause additional problems. Lung inflammation or infection (pneumonia) is a common complication and wheezing and shortness of breath may occur as a result of airway obstruction. Confusion, disturbances of gait and balance, headache, and personality changes may occur if the tumor has metastasized into the brain. Spread of the tumor into bone can result in bone pain, fractures, and spinal cord injury. Bone marrow invasion may result in an abnormally small number of platelets (thrombocytopenia) and red blood cells (anemia) in the bloodstream. Large tumors may cause obstruction of a major vein that returns blood to the heart (vena cava obstruction) and this can result in swelling (edema) of the head and neck, headache, dizziness, vision disturbances, and sudden loss of consciousness (syncope). |
Source: Medical Disability Advisor