Skin symptoms can be an unexpected sign of lung cancer. With most types of lung cancer, people don’t show signs until it has spread. But lung cancer can also cause other syndromes that can lead to additional problems seen on the skin.
This article will discuss how lung cancer can affect the skin, signs and symptoms to look for, and skin changes that may occur during treatment for lung cancer.
Verywell / Jessica Olah
Lung Cancer Symptoms Appearing on the Skin
With several syndromes that can result from lung cancers, a range of skin symptoms may be seen. Typical skin symptoms and signs associated with lung cancer include the following:
Yellow Skin
Bilirubinis a yellow- or orange-colored substance made during the normal breakdown of red blood cells. If lung cancer has spread to the liver, pancreas, or bile ducts, it can cause higher than normal bilirubin levels.
Lumps on Skin
Lung cancer may sometimes metastasize (spread) to the skin. Tumors near the skin surface may appear as round, firm, skin-colored lumps (nodules). These lumps are usually painless, though they may sometimes form ulcers. The most common sites of skin metastases are the chest, abdomen, head, and neck.
Itchy Skin
Itchy skin can be another sign that lung cancer has spread to the liver. If the liver is affected, it can cause a buildup of bile salts that leads to itching.
Easy Bruising
What Are Paraneoplastic Syndromes?
Changes to Facial Sweating
Pancoast tumors, which develop in the top part of the lung, can put pressure on a group of nerves that runs from the upper chest into your neck and arms (called thebrachial plexus). This can lead toHorner syndrome, a condition that presents with flushing and a lack of sweating on one half of the face only.
Facial Flushing
Heliotrope Rash
Heliotrope rash is a reddish-purple rash around the eyes due todermatomyositis, an inflammatory condition of the muscles. Research suggests there may be a link between dermatomyositis and certain malignancies, including lung cancer.
Gottron Papules
Common Lung Cancer SymptomsAlthough lung cancer symptoms can develop on the skin, themore common symptoms of lung cancerinclude:A persistent cough (for at least two to three weeks)Recurrent chest infectionsShortness of breathCoughing up bloodUnexplained weight lossArm, chest, back, or shoulder pain
Common Lung Cancer Symptoms
Although lung cancer symptoms can develop on the skin, themore common symptoms of lung cancerinclude:A persistent cough (for at least two to three weeks)Recurrent chest infectionsShortness of breathCoughing up bloodUnexplained weight lossArm, chest, back, or shoulder pain
Although lung cancer symptoms can develop on the skin, themore common symptoms of lung cancerinclude:
Skin Symptoms During Treatment
Treatment will differ depending on the type and severity of lung cancer. Some of the treatment options for lung cancer can also cause skin symptoms.
Targeted therapy medication can also cause various skin problems. Examples of some of these types of drugs and the side effects they have on the skin include:
Summary
How Lung Cancer Is Diagnosed
15 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Ng T, Damiris K, Trivedi U, George J.Obstructive jaundice, a rare presentation of lung cancer: A case report.Respir Med Case Rep. 2021;33:101425. doi:10.1016/j.rmcr.2021.101425Pajaziti L, Hapçiu SR, Dobruna S, Hoxha N, Kurshumliu F, Pajaziti A.Skin metastases from lung cancer: a case report.BMC Res Notes. 2015;8(1):139. doi:10.1186/s13104-015-1105-0Cancer Research UK.Symptoms of metastatic lung cancer.Zhang H, Zhao J.Ectopic Cushing syndrome in small cell lung cancer: A case report and literature review.Thorac Cancer. 2016;8(2):114-117. doi:10.1111/1759-7714.12403NHS.Lung cancer causes.Kanaji N, Watanabe N, Kita N, et al.Paraneoplastic syndromes associated with lung cancer.World J Clin Oncol. 2014;5(3):197-223. doi:10.5306/wjco.v5.i3.197Cancer Research UK.Pancoast tumours.American Cancer Society.Superior vena cava syndrome.Shalata W, Zolnoorian J, Meirovitz A, et al.Dermatomyositis associated with lung cancer: a brief review of the current literature and retrospective single institution experience.Life. 2022;13(1):40. doi:10.3390/life13010040Placke J, Moelleken M, Salva K, Dissemond J.Dermatomyositis and lung cancer.QJM: An International Journal of Medicine. 2017;111(3):195-195. doi:10.1093/qjmed/hcx207American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of lung cancer.NHS.Lung cancer treatment.American Cancer Society.Chemotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer.Hasan Ali O, Diem S, Markert E et al.Characterization of nivolumab-associated skin reactions in patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer.Oncoimmunology. 2016;5(11):e1231292. doi:10.1080/2162402x.2016.1231292Macmillian Cancer Support.Targeted therapies for lung cancer.
15 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Ng T, Damiris K, Trivedi U, George J.Obstructive jaundice, a rare presentation of lung cancer: A case report.Respir Med Case Rep. 2021;33:101425. doi:10.1016/j.rmcr.2021.101425Pajaziti L, Hapçiu SR, Dobruna S, Hoxha N, Kurshumliu F, Pajaziti A.Skin metastases from lung cancer: a case report.BMC Res Notes. 2015;8(1):139. doi:10.1186/s13104-015-1105-0Cancer Research UK.Symptoms of metastatic lung cancer.Zhang H, Zhao J.Ectopic Cushing syndrome in small cell lung cancer: A case report and literature review.Thorac Cancer. 2016;8(2):114-117. doi:10.1111/1759-7714.12403NHS.Lung cancer causes.Kanaji N, Watanabe N, Kita N, et al.Paraneoplastic syndromes associated with lung cancer.World J Clin Oncol. 2014;5(3):197-223. doi:10.5306/wjco.v5.i3.197Cancer Research UK.Pancoast tumours.American Cancer Society.Superior vena cava syndrome.Shalata W, Zolnoorian J, Meirovitz A, et al.Dermatomyositis associated with lung cancer: a brief review of the current literature and retrospective single institution experience.Life. 2022;13(1):40. doi:10.3390/life13010040Placke J, Moelleken M, Salva K, Dissemond J.Dermatomyositis and lung cancer.QJM: An International Journal of Medicine. 2017;111(3):195-195. doi:10.1093/qjmed/hcx207American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of lung cancer.NHS.Lung cancer treatment.American Cancer Society.Chemotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer.Hasan Ali O, Diem S, Markert E et al.Characterization of nivolumab-associated skin reactions in patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer.Oncoimmunology. 2016;5(11):e1231292. doi:10.1080/2162402x.2016.1231292Macmillian Cancer Support.Targeted therapies for lung cancer.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Ng T, Damiris K, Trivedi U, George J.Obstructive jaundice, a rare presentation of lung cancer: A case report.Respir Med Case Rep. 2021;33:101425. doi:10.1016/j.rmcr.2021.101425Pajaziti L, Hapçiu SR, Dobruna S, Hoxha N, Kurshumliu F, Pajaziti A.Skin metastases from lung cancer: a case report.BMC Res Notes. 2015;8(1):139. doi:10.1186/s13104-015-1105-0Cancer Research UK.Symptoms of metastatic lung cancer.Zhang H, Zhao J.Ectopic Cushing syndrome in small cell lung cancer: A case report and literature review.Thorac Cancer. 2016;8(2):114-117. doi:10.1111/1759-7714.12403NHS.Lung cancer causes.Kanaji N, Watanabe N, Kita N, et al.Paraneoplastic syndromes associated with lung cancer.World J Clin Oncol. 2014;5(3):197-223. doi:10.5306/wjco.v5.i3.197Cancer Research UK.Pancoast tumours.American Cancer Society.Superior vena cava syndrome.Shalata W, Zolnoorian J, Meirovitz A, et al.Dermatomyositis associated with lung cancer: a brief review of the current literature and retrospective single institution experience.Life. 2022;13(1):40. doi:10.3390/life13010040Placke J, Moelleken M, Salva K, Dissemond J.Dermatomyositis and lung cancer.QJM: An International Journal of Medicine. 2017;111(3):195-195. doi:10.1093/qjmed/hcx207American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of lung cancer.NHS.Lung cancer treatment.American Cancer Society.Chemotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer.Hasan Ali O, Diem S, Markert E et al.Characterization of nivolumab-associated skin reactions in patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer.Oncoimmunology. 2016;5(11):e1231292. doi:10.1080/2162402x.2016.1231292Macmillian Cancer Support.Targeted therapies for lung cancer.
Ng T, Damiris K, Trivedi U, George J.Obstructive jaundice, a rare presentation of lung cancer: A case report.Respir Med Case Rep. 2021;33:101425. doi:10.1016/j.rmcr.2021.101425
Pajaziti L, Hapçiu SR, Dobruna S, Hoxha N, Kurshumliu F, Pajaziti A.Skin metastases from lung cancer: a case report.BMC Res Notes. 2015;8(1):139. doi:10.1186/s13104-015-1105-0
Cancer Research UK.Symptoms of metastatic lung cancer.
Zhang H, Zhao J.Ectopic Cushing syndrome in small cell lung cancer: A case report and literature review.Thorac Cancer. 2016;8(2):114-117. doi:10.1111/1759-7714.12403
NHS.Lung cancer causes.
Kanaji N, Watanabe N, Kita N, et al.Paraneoplastic syndromes associated with lung cancer.World J Clin Oncol. 2014;5(3):197-223. doi:10.5306/wjco.v5.i3.197
Cancer Research UK.Pancoast tumours.
American Cancer Society.Superior vena cava syndrome.
Shalata W, Zolnoorian J, Meirovitz A, et al.Dermatomyositis associated with lung cancer: a brief review of the current literature and retrospective single institution experience.Life. 2022;13(1):40. doi:10.3390/life13010040
Placke J, Moelleken M, Salva K, Dissemond J.Dermatomyositis and lung cancer.QJM: An International Journal of Medicine. 2017;111(3):195-195. doi:10.1093/qjmed/hcx207
American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of lung cancer.
NHS.Lung cancer treatment.
American Cancer Society.Chemotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer.
Hasan Ali O, Diem S, Markert E et al.Characterization of nivolumab-associated skin reactions in patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer.Oncoimmunology. 2016;5(11):e1231292. doi:10.1080/2162402x.2016.1231292
Macmillian Cancer Support.Targeted therapies for lung cancer.
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