Lung cancer manifests itself by different symptoms, including a somewhat characteristic of the disease, located on the fingertips.
- Signs of lung cancer often appear late because the lung lacks nerve endings.
- Clubbing – swelling of the tips of the fingers – occurs in a third of patients with lung cancer.
- There are other signs of the disease that should lead the patient to a doctor.
The symptoms of lung cancer appear quite late, particularly pain, because this organ does not have nerve endings. Pain occurs when the tumor spreads to other organs, such as the pleura.
The Schamroth test: an early detection tool
The Schamroth test, also known as the window test, is a simple and effective way to detect clubbing, a sign present in 35% of lung cancer patients. By performing this test, doctors can spot changes in the nails that could indicate the presence of a lung tumor.
Clubbing is characterized by thickening of the fingertips and nails. This sign is often linked to chronic hypoxia, which can be caused by a lung tumor. About 1 in 3 patients with this sign are diagnosed with lung cancer.
To control your fingers, stick the first knuckles of your index fingers together, like when you form a heart with your hands. In a healthy patient, there is a small diamond-shaped space between the two nails at the cuticle level. If the person does not have space, they may suffer from clubbing. This anomaly makes the base of the nail soft and the skin around it shiny. Over time, the nails become abnormally curved and the tips of the fingers gradually swell.
If you see this sign, it is important to consult a doctor to rule out the risk of lung cancer. If a tumor is suspected, various examinations are carried out in order to make a diagnosis.
Fatigue, weight loss, fever… Warning signs of lung cancer
Clubbing sometimes makes it possible to diagnose lung cancer early, but it is not present in all patients. It is therefore important to pay attention to other signs of the disease. This is particularly the case:
- fatigue;
- weight loss;
- loss of appetite;
- prolonged fever;
- headaches;
- nervous disorders.
The Schamroth test is a valuable tool for detecting clubbing, a sign often present in lung cancer patients. However, it is important to note that the presence of this sign does not confirm a diagnosis of lung cancer, but rather is an indicator that requires careful medical consultation. Vigilance and early detection of these warning signs can play a crucial role in the management of this serious condition, especially if you are a smoker.
Fatigue, weight loss, fever… Warning signs of lung cancer
Clubbing sometimes makes it possible to diagnose lung cancer early, but it is not present in all patients. It is therefore important to pay attention to other signs of the disease. This is particularly the case:
- fatigue;
- weight loss;
- loss of appetite;
- prolonged fever;
- headaches;
- nervous disorders.
The Schamroth test is a valuable tool for detecting clubbing, a sign often present in lung cancer patients. However, it is important to note that the presence of this sign does not confirm a diagnosis of lung cancer, but rather is an indicator that requires careful medical consultation. Vigilance and early detection of these warning signs can play a crucial role in the management of this serious condition, especially if you are a smoker.
