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Coughing up black mucus or phlegm can be a serious sign of an underlying medical condition. In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr. Vidit Kapur, Assistant Professor of Medical Oncology at Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Faridabad: “Black mucus can be caused by various environmental factors, infections or more serious symptoms such as lung cancer.” If the black mucus persists or recurs, you should seek medical attention immediately to rule out a malignant disease and achieve significant improvement with appropriate treatment.

Causes of Black Mucus:

Smoking: Tobacco use: There are many smokers in India who also smoke bidis and cigars and the tar and other harmful substances in the smoke can cause black mucus.

Coal mining: Coal miners are at risk of pneumoconiosis (black lung disease) from inhaling coal dust.

Construction: Workers exposed to dust and industrial pollutants may develop breathing problems and black mucus.

Road Pollution: Proximity to busy roads increases exposure to vehicle exhaust and dust.

Burning of crops: Seasonal burning of crops, especially in states like Punjab and Haryana, releases large amounts of particulate matter into the air, causing respiratory problems and black mucus.

Tuberculosis: Tuberculosis is very common in India and can cause blood spots and dark mucus.

Fungal infections: Diseases such as aspergillosis are common in damp and unsanitary environments and can cause mucus to darken.

Tumor growth: Lung cancer can lead to necrosis (tissue death) and bleeding in the lungs. The destruction of blood and lung tissue can produce dark or black mucus.

Obstruction and infection: Tumors can block the airways and cause secondary infections that produce dark mucus.

Chronic Black Mucus Lung Cancer Symptoms:

Persistent cough: If you have a persistent cough that produces black mucus, it could be a sign of cancer. It is often accompanied by other symptoms such as chest pain and shortness of breath.

Weight loss and fatigue: Unexplained weight loss, fatigue, and persistent cough with dark mucus can be warning signs of lung cancer.

Hemoptysis: The presence of blood in the mucus and its darkening or darkening may be due to tumor invasion of blood vessels.

Early detection and diagnosis:

Medical Examination: If the mucus remains dark, medical tests such as imaging studies (X-ray, CT scan, etc.) and sputum analysis are recommended to determine the underlying cause and check for hidden cancer.

Biopsy: If lung cancer is suspected, a sample is taken to confirm the diagnosis and determine the type of cancer.