Symptoms of small cell lung cancer

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) often grows and spreads rapidly, so many people notice symptoms before they are diagnosed. These symptoms can sometimes develop quite quickly, over weeks or even days. In some instances, small cell lung cancer is found on an X-ray or computed tomography (CT) scan before any symptoms appear.

Although patients with small cell lung cancer usually notice symptoms that affect their lungs and airways, they may experience more general symptoms or symptoms in other parts of their body, including: 

• A cough that lasts for 3 weeks or more and does not go away, or a change in a cough that you have had for a long time.
• Feeling breathless.
• A chest infection that does not get better or keeps coming back.
• Coughing up blood.
• A hoarse voice that lasts for 3 weeks or more.
• Pain in the chest or shoulder that does not go away.
• Difficulty swallowing.
• Feeling very tired (fatigue).
• Loss of appetite.
• Losing weight without trying.

If small cell lung cancer has spread, it can cause other symptoms, depending on the parts of the body that are affected. Symptoms could include:

• Severe headaches.
• Feeling sick.
• Pain in the abdomen.
• Feeling confused or having memory problems.
• Feeling weak or uncoordinated.
• Yellowing of the skin (jaundice).

Rarely, some people with small cell lung cancer have symptoms that do not seem directly related to the lungs. This is because some small cell lung cancer cells can produce hormone-like substances – chemical messengers that travel in the blood and can affect the whole body. This is called paraneoplastic syndrome.

Symptoms of paraneoplastic syndrome can include:

• Feeling sick or vomiting.
• Feeling weak, tired, restless, or irritable.
• Having a dry mouth.
• Being constipated.
• Weakness, including difficulty lifting objects, raising arms, walking, or climbing up stairs.
• Joint pain and changes in the shape or appearance of the fingers.
• Confusion.

It is important to speak to your doctor as soon as possible if you experience any of these symptoms, so that they can carry out the right tests and start treatment if needed. If you have already been diagnosed, your healthcare team can explain which symptoms are linked to your cancer and how they can be managed.

References

1. National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN®). NCCN guidelines for patients: Small cell lung cancer, 2024. https://www.nccn.org/patients/guidelines/content/PDF/SCLC-patient-guideline.pdf. Accessed Feb 19, 2026.

2. Macmillan Cancer Support. Signs and symptoms of lung cancer. https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/lung-cancer/signs-and-symptoms-of-lung-cancer. Accessed Feb 19, 2026.

3. Cancer Research UK. Symptoms of lung cancer. https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/lung-cancer/symptoms. Last updated Oct 7, 2025. Accessed Feb 19, 2026.

4. Cancer Research UK. Symptoms of metastatic lung cancer. https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/lung-cancer/metastatic/symptoms. Last updated Oct 10, 2025. Accessed Feb 19, 2026.