The more common causes and identifying characteristics of dyspnea in patients with cancer are shown below. While this information is specific to cancer, several of the causes are also common in patients with other diagnoses, especially pneumonia. Many causes of dyspnea are treatable and, when possible, it is important for the physician or nurse to determine the specific etiology of dyspnea in the patient so that the cause rather than only the symptom is addressed. Dyspnea with occasionally trachea displacement toward unaffected side. Breath sounds vary according to area of lung.
Pleural effusions are most common with lung or breast cancer and also lymphoma or leukemia.
Sudden onset of dyspnea with rapid breathing, rapid heart rate, cough, chest pain, and blood in sputum. Dyspnea with cough, chest pain, need to keep head elevated to breathe, and weakness. There may be pleural effusion, edema, distention of neck veins, rapid heart rate and rapid breathing rate. There may be GI symptoms such as early satiation, indigestion, and other GI problems. Ascites is often related to tumors in ovaries, endometrium, breast, colon, stomach, pancreas, and colon.