Cough is a common clinical manifestation of lung abscess cavity and lung cancer, but the nature of cough, time and regularity of cough and timbre of cough are not the same. Lung cancer mostly manifests as dry cough, cough without sputum or very little sputum, often sudden cough, caused by tumor compression of trachea or bronchial bifurcation, and when the tumor compresses the nerves, the cough may sound hoarse or similar to metallic sound. Lung abscess cavity manifests as wet cough, cough is often accompanied by sputum, sputum is often more sputum, mostly purulent sputum, sometimes with blood in sputum or moderate hemoptysis. The development of chronic lung abscess is a long-term chronic cough, accompanied by irregular fever, hemoptysis alone, anemia, emaciation and other wasting manifestations. It is important to note that it is not possible to differentiate between lung abscess cavity and lung cancer by the difference between the two coughs; if symptoms of coughing occur, it is recommended to consult a doctor in a timely manner, and early treatment in order to reap the best therapeutic results.