haemoptysis
Last reviewed 01/2018
Haemoptysis is the expectoration of blood or blood-stained sputum. Haemoptysis is usually frothy, alkaline and bright red. Not surprisingly it is often a distressing symptom for the patient.
The most common causes include:
- bronchial carcinoma
- pulmonary embolism
- mitral stenosis
- tuberculosis
- bronchiectasis
lung cancer (NICE guidance for urgent referral for suspected cancer)