Tumors can grow and spread so much that organs can no longer function.
The cancer can also lead to fatal infections or blood clots.
Sometimes, the tumors shut down an organ.
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Other times, cancer interferes with the normal functioning of those organs and causes other complications.
These complications cause death in very different ways.
Once lung cancer is in the nervous system, it can get inside thecerebrospinal fluida condition calledleptomeningeal metastases.
At this stage, the disease is terminal.
Lung cancer can sometimes spread to the membrane around the heart (pericardium) and cause bleeding.
The blood causes compression of the organ and sudden, rapidalthough painlessdeath.
Coughing up blood is the main symptom of a pulmonary hemorrhage.
Even a small amount of bleeding in the lungs can be a medical emergency.
In smaller amounts, blood in the lungs can produce a feeling of suffocation.
When massive bleeding occurs, however, death is usually rapid.
Research consistently finds a high prevalence of pulmonary emboli in patients with certain kinds of cancer including lung.
Blood clots can happen any time after a diagnosis and are sometimes the first symptom of lung cancer.
They are common in people withlung adenocarcinomaand other types of lung cancer with a pooled incidence of 3.7%.
However, blood clots are sometimespreventableand oftentreatable.
Understanding yourrisk factorscan help you avoid them.
Diffuse Alveolar Damage
Alveoliare the sacs in the lung where oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged.
Infection and inflammation can damage these balloon-like structures and cause respiratory distress leading to failure and death.
For example, you may choose tostop cancer treatmentor start havingpalliative care.
Knowing what to expect can also help those close to you assist with your needs.
By learning about what might be to come, you won’t have to deal with as many unknowns.
Am I Emotionally Ready?
It’s also important to be aware of how people around you are feeling.
Respect what each person can handle talking about and when they are ready to do so.
Will Dying From Lung Cancer Hurt?
Sometimes, when a person asks “How will I die?
“what they really want to know is,“Will dying be painful?”
The reality is, some people do experience severe discomfort at the end of life.
Treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation can be used to relieve some types of cancer pain.
In addition, your provider may recommend seeing apain management specialistto help you during this time.
That said, no one needs to die in pain.
There are ways to prepare for some aspects of final care no matter what your circumstances are.
check that that you and your loved ones understand these differences and are clear about what you want.
This is calledanticipatory grief.
You might be coping with feelings of grief even while your loved one is still alive.
Consider talking to a counselor or support group to navigate your feelings and needs.
It’s also important to understand that people often know they will die soon.
Your loved one may speak of seeing or talking to other loved ones who have died.
you could turn to your treatment team and the important people in your life for support.
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