I’ve heard that a persistent dry cough can sometimes be a symptom of undetected cancer. Is there a link ?
January 3rd, 2010
My mother’s dear friend Anne, who felt generally ill, had a persistent, dry cough. Her “coughing fits” often resembled chocking. Having underwent many medical procedures, doctors/specialists could never pin-point the cause of her ailments, nor her cough. My mother had read that such a cough was often a sign of cancer. Three years later, Anne was diagnosed with colon cancer, and succomb to the disease 2 yrs later. Unfortunately, my mother, a non-smoker, has developed the same cough as Anne, brought on by eating, drinking, laughing, and anything in between. We even went to see a Pulmonary specialist, who was unable to offer a diagnosis. She and I have many ailments, and both suffer from Fibromyalgia and Lupus, but neither list such a cough as a possible symptom. My mother is my best friend and soul mate, and I can’t imagine living without her. At 65, she has a lot more living to do, such as walking me down the aisle and holding her grandchild. Any and all suggestions are appreciated
If this cough is brought on by eating, drinking maybe it could be GERD (acid reflux) a dry hacking cough is common with that and happens after consuming food or drinks. My husband has it. Has she ever been tested for allergies. I have “allergy cough” and have coughing “fits” for what appears to be no rhyme or reason for and this was my diagnosis. I take Singulair and Nasonex and it helps quite a bit. Just some ideas. Best of luck my dear.
A dry persistent cough is not always a sign of cancer. Since cancer at the most basic level is an uncontrolled growth of a cluster of cells, it generally shows up on imaging scans like PET, CT, and MRI. Colon cancer generally presents as weight loss, change in bowel habits, or bloody stool. It normally metastasizes to the liver first and sometimes to the lung, both of which can be detected via imaging.
Since both of you have lupus, which can have respiratory symptoms as well, it will be difficult to distinguish it from other cancers. Lung cancer is most frequently caused by smoking and is labelled as squamous cell carcinoma. Adenocarcinoma of the lung is a cancer that affects people who DON’T smoke and it’s exact cause is unknown. This is the cancer that Christopher Reeve’s wife died from.
A dry cough could be a symptom of post nasal drip from sinus problems, could be a subtle sign of gastric reflux disease, asthma, TB (unlikely), or several other things as well. Alternatively your mother could just have an allergy to something in the air where you guys live.
The take home message is that most persistent dry coughs are not cancer and have better explanations than lung cancer, which will show up on imaging.
I hope this helps.
I’m sorry about your mom’s friend, but her cough had NOTHING to do with the fact she died of colon cancer. The cough was, at best’ coincidental.’ The fact is that people often develop ‘dry coughs’ for no good ‘medical’ reason … but I can give you a ‘test’ you can do at home that may ‘identify the culprit’ in your mom’s cough …
Look around the house … and look outside the house. Is it ‘wet and rainy’ outside? Is it ‘cool and damp’ inside … or is it ‘hot and dry’ outside, or ‘hot and dry’ inside? If it’s damp and cool, then it needs to be ‘dried out’ some … if it’s hot and dry, then it needs to be humidified. Because your mother’s cough is ‘dry’ that tells me that it’s hot and dry … so you’ll need to ‘add water’ … which is actually easily done by putting LARGE bowls or pans of water in EVERY ROOM. Put two (one on either side of her bed) in the room your mother sleeps in. Check daily on the ‘level’ of water … they could ‘evaporate totally’ in a day or less, and they MUST be ‘filled completely’ at bedtime every night. Your mom’s ‘cough’ should let up as soon as the ‘air’ in her home is ‘humidified’ enough … and yes, even if she has that ‘dry cough’ wherever she goes, just humidifying her home … and possibly where she works if that is dry and can be humidified … will make all the difference in the world.
Yes, a ‘dry cough’ can be the sign of cancer …if a person has LUNG CANCER or THROAT CANCER. Otherwise, the ‘dry cough’ is usually just a matter of ‘too dry an environment’ and by ‘adding water’ the cough will ease and your mom will feel much better. The humidity will actually also help her fibromyalgia and lupus … if you read ‘all you can find’ you’ll see that ‘too dry air’ can aggravate both of those conditions.
Some medications have dry cough as a side effect. Does your mom by chance have high blood pressure? Is she taking lisinopril? Check her meds, you may find cough as a side effect.
Some medications are notoriuous for causing dry cough. Especially some blood pressure medications.
Other medications cause people to ywan, especially some antidepressants.
Check with your doctor if the cough is listed as a possible side effect to any of your medications. Or check it yourself in a medical library or online.
Lupus, FMS and others fall into a larger umbrella called Mixed Connective Tissue Disorders. They are basically auto immune in origin. If you read up on these, a dry cough can accompany several other illnesses that can fall in line with one that has Lupus. Do some more research on line about MCTD and you will find what I am speaking of. Best wishes.