Physical Exam

For information on symptoms, see Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Treatment (PDQ®) - NCI or Small Cell Lung Cancer Treatment (PDQ®) - NCI

During the physical examination, the physician is specifically searching for the following signs

• Difficulty breathing—stridor (a harsh sound with each breath), new onset of wheezing, labored breathing, shortness of breath (SOB);
• Coughing that does not go away, possibly with blood in sputum;
• Recurring pneumonia or bronchitis;
• Chest, shoulder, or arm pain, often worse with deep breathing, coughing or laughing;
• Loss of appetite;
• Unexplained weight loss;
• Bone pain;
• Hoarseness;
• Headaches or seizures;
• Swelling of the face or neck (palpable supraclavicular lymph nodes);
• Fatigue.

Document physical exam details in NAACCR Item #2520: Text-Dx-Proc-PE.

See History & Physical Exam | SEER Training website for more information on the patient history and physical exam.

Updated: April 8, 2026