Blog
A Sign of Early-Stage Lung Cancer
Finger clubbing is a change in the appearance and feel of the fingernails or toenails. The nail widens and bulges at the cuticle.
“The finger looks kind of like an upside-down spoon shape, rather than having a natural concave curve at the cuticle,” says Bryan Andrew Faller, MD, director of cancer research at Missouri Baptist Medical Center in St. Louis.
- Feel warm
- Get soft and spongy
- Turn red
- May feel painful
With finger clubbing in early-stage lung cancer, the nail changes occur so slowly that they aren’t noticeable. “With a lot of patients I meet with lung cancer, I look at their fingers and they have [finger clubbing] and they didn’t even know it,” says Dr. Faller.
Finger clubbing isn’t dangerous. It’s mainly a cosmetic issue, and the nails should return to their original size and shape once the cancer is treated, says Faller, although occasionally finger clubbing remains after the cancer is cured.
Finger clubbing is not always caused by lung cancer — it can occur alongside many other conditions, such as celiac disease or Graves’ disease. Speak with your doctor if you think you have finger clubbing to determine the cause.
Related Posts
07
Jul
Ivermectin as a Cancer Treatment: Does It Work?
-
Posted by
Transform Your Health & Fitness
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the antiparasitic drug ivermectin surged in popularity as a potential treatment for coronavirus infection...
02
Jul
How to Have Fun Without Alcohol for Breast Cancer Risk Reduction
-
Posted by
Transform Your Health & Fitness
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: alcohol and cancer risk.Most people know that smoking is a major risk factor for cancer — it...
02
Jul
What to Know if Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Spreads to Your Bones
-
Posted by
Transform Your Health & Fitness
When non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) spreads beyond the lungs, one of the most common places it metastasizes to are the bones. (It c...
01
Jul
7 of the Best Foods for Lung Cancer Patients
-
Posted by
Transform Your Health & Fitness
Although no one food can prevent or treat lung cancer , your dietary choices can strengthen your body and help you feel better during t...
01
Jul
7 Foods to Avoid or Limit if You Have Lung Cancer
-
Posted by
Transform Your Health & Fitness
Spicy Foods Chili peppers, hot mustard, and other spicy foods can irritate your stomach lining and cause uncomfortable gastrointest...
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/5-Supplements-You-Should-not-Be-Taking-to-Prevent-Cancer-87eb54954ce546a8abf863cfe6dc9ad1.jpg?w=1300&resize=1300,800&ssl=1 "5 Supplements You Shouldn’t Take to Prevent Cancer, According to a Dietitian")
29
Jun
5 Supplements You Shouldn’t Take to Prevent Cancer, According to a Dietitian
-
Posted by
Transform Your Health & Fitness
Dietary supplements shouldn’t be taken to reduce your cancer risk—some may actually increase your risk.Experts encourage getting nutrie...
28
Jun
8 Things to Know About Targeted Therapies for Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
-
Posted by
Transform Your Health & Fitness
One of the most exciting advances in the treatment of metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the development of drugs that ta...
28
Jun
How Genetic Mutations Affect Your Lung Cancer Risk
-
Posted by
Transform Your Health & Fitness
DNA gives your cells instructions based on the order of its nucleotides. When these building blocks are out of sequence or damaged, a g...
28
Jun
Your Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Team
-
Posted by
Transform Your Health & Fitness
Metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) can affect every part of your life: your health, your relationships, and even your financ...
27
Jun
The Best Foods to Prevent Colon Cancer
-
Posted by
Transform Your Health & Fitness
When choosing your meals and snacks, put the most emphasis on plant foods and lean protein, says Zumpano.1. Whole Fruits and Vegetables...
27
Jun
Lung Cancer Symptoms in Women and When to See a Doctor
-
Posted by
Transform Your Health & Fitness
There are two main types of lung cancer — small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) — and each type is furth...
26
Jun
Accepting Help Is a Sign of Strength: Advice for Black Men With Lung Cancer
-
Posted by
Transform Your Health & Fitness
While lung cancer affects a wide demographic of people — even nonsmokers can be diagnosed — it hits Black men particularly hard. How so...