What does coughing blood mean -- lung cancer?

Maybe: Coughing blood is a classic sign of lung cancer, but may also be seen with acute infections, chronic bronchitis, or even dental disease. This should always be worked up to rule out lung cancer (or head and neck cancer) and not assumed to be secondary to something beingn. The prognosis for lung cancer is dramatically improved with early diagnosos, often made difficult by the lack of early symptoms.

Hemoptysis: Hemoptysis may be the presenting symptom of a pulmonary neoplasm, av malformation, necrotizing pneumonia, rasmussen aneurysm, bronchitis to include some. Must see your pulmonologist or your thoracic surgeon stat. Need a bronchoscopy and cat scan thorax with and wihout contrast. Further intervention depends on findings.

Yes it can: If the blood is just staining the tissue paper, you should make a clinic appointment as soon as possible. If you are coughing up greater quantities than that, you should seek immediate medical attention as this can be a life-threatening situation.

Maybe...: Coughing up blood, hemoptysis, is most often due to bronchitis. But, it can be a sign of lung cancer so it always needs to be evaluated to rule out cancer.