Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Frequently Asked Questions
It can be difficult to tell if you havepneumoniaorlung cancerbecause they share similar symptoms. However, there are fundamental differences between the two.
To start, pneumonia is a chest infection that causes inflammation of the air sacs in the lungs. Lung cancer, on the other hand, occurs when cells grow out of control and form tumors.
Signs of lung cancerare hard to detect until it has reached a late stage, while pneumonia symptoms come on within a few days of contracting the infection.Symptoms common to both conditions include chest pain, a persistent cough, andfatigue.
This article takes you through the symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment of each condition.
Verywell / Katie Kerpel
This article will discuss the similarities and differences between pneumonia and lung cancer.
Pneumonia and lung cancer share overlapping symptoms, including:
The main difference between these overlapping symptoms is their onset and progression. Lung cancer symptoms take a while to develop, which is why most lung cancer cases aren’t diagnosed until it has already spread to other parts of the body.Pneumonia, on the other hand, causes severe symptoms shortly after the infection begins.
How Fast Does Lung Cancer Grow?
Also, the two conditions have some distinct symptoms.
PneumoniaFeverSweatingShakingChillsRapid and shallow breathingFatigueNausea and vomiting, especially in young childrenConfusion, especially in older adultsLung CancerUnexplained weight lossWeaknessRecurrent lung infectionsWheezingBone painHeadaches, dizziness, or balance issuesNumbness in the arms or legsSeizuresYellowing of the skin and eyes (known as jaundice)Swollen lymph nodes
PneumoniaFeverSweatingShakingChillsRapid and shallow breathingFatigueNausea and vomiting, especially in young childrenConfusion, especially in older adults
Fever
Sweating
Shaking
Chills
Rapid and shallow breathing
Fatigue
Nausea and vomiting, especially in young children
Confusion, especially in older adults
Lung CancerUnexplained weight lossWeaknessRecurrent lung infectionsWheezingBone painHeadaches, dizziness, or balance issuesNumbness in the arms or legsSeizuresYellowing of the skin and eyes (known as jaundice)Swollen lymph nodes
Unexplained weight loss
Weakness
Recurrent lung infections
Wheezing
Bone pain
Headaches, dizziness, or balance issues
Numbness in the arms or legs
Seizures
Yellowing of the skin and eyes (known as jaundice)
Swollen lymph nodes
Lung Cancer Causes
In rare cases, researchers believe that lung cancer could be tied to inherited genetic mutations or passed down through families.
Why Is Lung Cancer Increasing in Non-Smokers?
Pneumonia Causes
Fungal pneumoniaisn’t as common. The types of fungi that can cause pneumonia includeCoccidioidomycosis,Histoplasmosis, andCryptococcus.
Types of Pneumonia
Pneumonia in Lung Cancer Patients
Pneumonia in lung cancer is incredibly common. Research has found that of all patients battling lung cancer, as many as 70% will also have pneumonia.
Bacterial pneumonia is associated with a higher risk of lung cancer. Research found that people who have had pneumonia before were over three times as likely to develop lung cancer compared to people who never had pneumonia.
Research has also shown that when people have both diseases at the same time, their likelihood of survival decreases significantly. This can lead to complications, such as:
Pneumonia is a leading cause of death in lung cancer patients.
Do All Lung Cancer Patients Die if They Get Pneumonia?Although pneumonia can increase the risk of death among lung cancer patients, it does not mean that all people with both conditions will die. If you are receiving treatment for lung cancer and develop pneumonia, it’s important to stay hydrated and take care of your body to help recover from the chest infection while your cancer treatment continues.
Do All Lung Cancer Patients Die if They Get Pneumonia?
Although pneumonia can increase the risk of death among lung cancer patients, it does not mean that all people with both conditions will die. If you are receiving treatment for lung cancer and develop pneumonia, it’s important to stay hydrated and take care of your body to help recover from the chest infection while your cancer treatment continues.
Diagnosing lung cancer and pneumonia requires different processes, even though the two often share similar symptoms.
Pneumonia Diagnosis
Diagnosing pneumonia typically involves a physical exam to assess abnormal breathing,fever, and swollen glands. A sample of phlegm will be taken and tested to help figure out the source of the infection.
A chestX-raywill likely be performed as well. Chest X-rays take pictures of the lungs, which help determine if there is an abnormal buildup of fluid or pus in the lungs.
Lung Cancer Diagnosis
To diagnose lung cancer, your healthcare provider will perform a physical exam and order a chest X-ray to look at your lungs. On a chest X-ray, any abnormal growth will appear as a relatively solid area of light gray, which could be cancer or many noncancerous conditions. A chest X-ray alone cannot confirm cancer.
For this reason, a computerized tomography (CT) scan will also be ordered if cancer is suspected. This type of scan can better visualize tumors, their size and shape, and their location in the lungs.
A spot on the lung (or a lung nodule) may be found after a chest X-ray or CT scan. Most lung nodules seen on X-rays or CT scans are not cancer.Although tests are often needed to confirm a nodule is noncancerous, they often stem from other causes such as:
Use of Chest X-Ray in the Diagnosis of Lung Cancer
Abiopsy—which is a procedure where a piece of tissue where cancer is suspected is removed and tested—is used to confirm that cancer cells are present in the tumors.
Currently, alow-dose CT (LDCT) scancan be used to regularly screen those at increased risk for lung cancer (e.g., smokers or former smokers). Research shows that yearly LDCT scans of high-risk individuals can detect lung cancer early (before symptoms start) and save lives.
Can Lung Cancer Be Detected Through Blood Tests?
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To see whether the cancer has spread, your healthcare provider will order anMRIof the brain and aPET scan, which is similar to a CT scan but offers a more detailed picture of the lungs and other areas of the body where cancer may have spread.
Frequent bouts of pneumonia or bronchitis can be a sign of lung cancer, and early diagnosis and treatment is a crucial part of surviving lung cancer.
Getting a proper diagnosis for pneumonia or lung cancer is crucial because the treatments for the two conditions are very different.
Lung Cancer Treatment
Various factors need to be taken into account when determining a treatment plan, such as the type of lung cancer you have, whether it has spread, and your overall health. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are four main treatment options for lung cancer:
Will Cancer Ever Be Cured?
Pneumonia Treatment
Treatment for pneumonia depends on how serious the condition is. In some cases, pneumonia will clear up on its own. Somehome remediesfor mild cases include:
A case of bacterial pneumonia will be treated using an antibiotic, such as azithromycin. In people with other chronic conditions such as heart disease and diabetes, other antibiotics such as fluoroquinolone may be used because there is a chance that the bacteria causing their pneumonia may be resistant to other types of antibiotics.
When to Call a Healthcare Provider for PneumoniaIf you were recently diagnosed with a mild case of pneumonia but are not getting better or are experiencing worsened symptoms, see your healthcare provider as soon as possible. In some cases, pneumonia can get worse and complications can occur that require hospitalization.
When to Call a Healthcare Provider for Pneumonia
If you were recently diagnosed with a mild case of pneumonia but are not getting better or are experiencing worsened symptoms, see your healthcare provider as soon as possible. In some cases, pneumonia can get worse and complications can occur that require hospitalization.
Research has shown thatcorticosteroids, which are drugs designed to reduce inflammation, can also be used to treat pneumonia. They help decrease the risk of death and the need for more serious medical interventions, such as a ventilator or prolonged hospitalization in people who have more serious cases of infection.
If you are hospitalized, you will be given medications through an IV directly into your bloodstream. You may also need help breathing, sooxygen therapywill be used.You could be given oxygen through a face mask, your nose, or another piece of medical equipment such as a ventilator.
Can You Die From Pneumonia? What to Know
Summary
Although lung cancer and pneumonia have different causes they can show some similar signs and symptoms. Early diagnosis is key, and lung cancer and pneumonia also have some tests in common during the diagnostic process. Treatments vary widely for each but both conditions can be managed and lung cancer outcomes are greatly improved with early detection.
Frequently Asked QuestionsSince the two conditions share similar symptoms, it’s possible for pneumonia to be mistaken for lung cancer. This is especially true if someone is experiencing frequent bouts of pneumonia. This is because recurring chest infections are often a sign of lung cancer.Pneumonia and lung cancer are often experienced at the same time. Research has found that roughly 50% to 70% of people with lung cancer will experience pneumonia at some point during the course of their disease. Having pneumonia while battling lung cancer also increases the risk of severe or life-threatening consequences.Pneumonia and lung cancer often go through the same tests. However, the tests typically done for pneumonia are only preliminary diagnostic tools when it comes to testing for lung cancer. Because of this, pneumonia will likely be diagnosed prior to the more intricate tests for lung cancer.
Since the two conditions share similar symptoms, it’s possible for pneumonia to be mistaken for lung cancer. This is especially true if someone is experiencing frequent bouts of pneumonia. This is because recurring chest infections are often a sign of lung cancer.
Pneumonia and lung cancer are often experienced at the same time. Research has found that roughly 50% to 70% of people with lung cancer will experience pneumonia at some point during the course of their disease. Having pneumonia while battling lung cancer also increases the risk of severe or life-threatening consequences.
Pneumonia and lung cancer often go through the same tests. However, the tests typically done for pneumonia are only preliminary diagnostic tools when it comes to testing for lung cancer. Because of this, pneumonia will likely be diagnosed prior to the more intricate tests for lung cancer.
18 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.
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