Lung Cancer
Lung cancer is caused by uncontrolled cell division in the lungs. Your cells naturally divide and replicate themselves. However, they may experience alterations (mutations) that cause them to continue producing more of themselves when they should not. Damaged cells divide uncontrolled, forming lumps, or tumors, of tissue that eventually prevent your organs from functioning normally. Lung cancer refers to tumors that originate in the lungs, typically in the airways (bronchi or bronchioles) or small air sacs (alveoli). Cancers that begin in other areas and spread to your lungs are typically termed after their origin.
There are numerous cancers that affect the lungs, but the phrase “lung cancer” generally refers to two types: non-small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer. Other types of cancer can begin in or near your lungs, such as lymphomas, sarcomas, and pleural mesothelioma. These are treated differently and aren’t typically referred to as lung cancer.
Stages of lung cancer
The general stage of lung cancer is:
- Stage 0 (in situ): Cancer has spread to the upper lining of the lung or bronchus. It has not spread to other areas of the lung or outside of the lung.
- Stage I: Cancer has not spread beyond the lung.
- Stage II: The cancer is bigger than Stage I, has spread to the lung’s lymph nodes, or has multiple tumors in the same lung lobe.
- Stage III: The cancer is bigger than Stage II, has spread to neighboring structures or lymph nodes, or has multiple tumors in different lung lobes.
- Stage IV: Cancer has spread to distant organs, such as the fluid surrounding the lung, the other lung, or the heart.
Symptoms
The symptoms of lung cancer are given below:
- A cough that doesn’t go away or gets worse over time.
- Trouble breathing or shortness of breath (dyspnea).
- Chest pain or discomfort.
- Wheezing.
- Coughing up blood (hemoptysis).
- Hoarseness.
- Loss of appetite.
- Unexplained weight loss.
- Unexplained fatigue (tiredness).
- Shoulder pain.
- Swelling in the face, neck, arms or upper chest (superior vena cava syndrome).
- Small pupil and drooping eyelid in one eye with little or no sweating on that side of your face (Horner’s syndrome).
Causes
The primary causes of lung cancer are as follows:
- Tobacco smoking
- Air pollution
- Family history of lung cancer
- Occupational exposure
- Previous radiation therapy
- Genetic factors
- Age
Diagnosis
Lung cancer diagnosis might involve several steps. During your first visit to a healthcare provider, they will normally listen to your symptoms, ask about your medical history, and perform a physical exam. Because lung cancer symptoms are similar to those of many other, more prevalent conditions, your doctor may begin by ordering blood tests and a chest X-ray.
Blood tests, imaging, and fluid or tissue biopsies are all tests that your doctor may order or perform. To detect lung cancer or learn more about its spread, procedures such as needle biopsy, bronchoscopy, thoracoscopy or video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS), thoracentesis, endobronchial ultrasonography or endoscopic esophageal ultrasound, and mediastinoscopy or mediastinotomy are utilized.
Treatment
Treatments for lung cancer aim to eliminate or slow the spread of cancer in your body. Treatments can eliminate malignant cells, help to destroy or prevent them from proliferating, and train your immune system to fight them. Some treatments are also used to alleviate symptoms and pain. Your therapy will be determined by the type of lung cancer you have, its location, the extent of its spread, and a variety of other factors. Treatments for lung cancer include surgery, radiofrequency ablation, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted medication therapy, and immunotherapy.
Prevention
Some ways to reduce your risk are:
- Do not smoke, or quit if you already do.
- Avoid secondhand smoke and other lung-damaging substances.
- Maintain a healthy diet and weight.
- If you have a high risk of developing lung cancer, get screened.
Conclusion
Lung cancer is still a difficult disease with high mortality rates, but advances in screening and therapy are improving results for many patients. Understanding the risk factors, symptoms, and treatment choices is critical for early detection and appropriate management. Individuals can improve their chances of surviving lung cancer by taking preventive measures and obtaining appropriate medical assistance.
