Small cell lung cancer often starts in the bronchi near the center of the chest. This form of lung cancer grows at a rapid pace and spreads quickly. Small cell lung cancer is almost always caused by smoking. According to the American Cancer Society, it is very rare for someone how has never smoked to develop small cell lung cancer.

Symptoms of Lung Cancer

People in the early stages of lung cancer usually have no symptoms. This is why lung cancer is rarely found at an early stage. Lung cancers start showing symptoms when the cancer has started to spread. Common symptoms of lung cancer are:

  • chest pain, made worse during deep breathing, coughing, or laughing
  • cough that does not go away
  • loss of appetite and weight loss
  • hoarseness
  • rust-colored spit or phlegm
  • coughing up blood
  • feeling weak or tired
  • shortness of breath
  • chronic infections such as pneumonia or bronchitis
  • wheezing

Once lung cancer has begun to spread to other organs, symptoms may include: