1. Metastasis: Lung cancer can spread to other parts of the body, such as the brain, bones, liver, or other organs, leading to further complications and worsening prognosis.
2. Respiratory complications: Lung cancer can cause difficulty breathing, coughing up blood, pneumonia, collapsed lung, or pleural effusion (build-up of fluid around the lungs), which can lead to respiratory failure.
3. Paraneoplastic syndromes: Lung cancer can produce hormones or other substances that can cause a variety of symptoms and complications, such as hypercalcemia (high levels of calcium in the blood), syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH), or Cushing's syndrome.
4. Superior vena cava syndrome: Lung cancer can compress the superior vena cava, a large vein that carries blood from the head and arms back to the heart, leading to symptoms such as swelling of the face, neck, and arms, difficulty breathing, and chest pain.
5. Hemoptysis: Lung cancer can cause bleeding in the airways, leading to coughing up blood, which can be life-threatening if severe.
6. Thromboembolism: Lung cancer can increase the risk of blood clots forming in the veins, which can travel to the lungs and cause a pulmonary embolism, a potentially fatal complication.
7. Infections: Lung cancer and its treatments can weaken the immune system, making patients more susceptible to infections, such as pneumonia or sepsis.
8. Cardiac complications: Lung cancer can affect the heart and blood vessels, leading to complications such as heart failure, arrhythmias, or pericardial effusion (build-up of fluid around the heart).
9. Nutritional deficiencies: Lung cancer and its treatments can affect appetite, digestion, and nutrient absorption, leading to weight loss, malnutrition, and weakness.
10. Psychological complications: Dealing with a diagnosis of lung cancer and its treatment can cause emotional distress, anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues, which can impact quality of life and overall well-being.