Uncontrolled cell division in the lungs causes lung cancer. When the cells start dividing uninhibitedly to make more copies of themselves, mutations take place, resulting in excessive cells. It leads to the development of malignant tumours or cancer. In such cases, it is imperative to consult specialists at a cancer hospital.
Lung cancer begins in the lung’s airways called bronchi or bronchioles or in the lungs’ tiny air sacs called alveoli. It may move to other organs from the lungs, a condition known as metastatic lung cancer.
Different Types Of Lung Cancer
Lung Cancer is of two types- non-small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer.
- Non-small cell lung cancer: The non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is one of the most common types of lung cancer. It is further classified into squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. The non-small cell lung cancer is the cause of around 80% of lung cancer cases. Also, adenosquamous and sarcomatoid carcinoma are types of non-small cell lung cancer that are less common.
- Small-cell lung cancer: With a more rapid multiplication, small-cell lung cancer grows quickly as compared to non-small-cell lung cancer. It is also harder to detect. It is generally spread to other body parts before it is detected by oncologists or before the symptoms start to appear.
Symptoms of Lung Cancer
The symptoms of lung cancer are similar to those of other lung diseases, which are less severe. In many cases, the symptoms don’t appear till they reach advanced stages, thereby resulting in delayed treatment. Early-stage symptoms are visible in many cases. A combination of a few or all the signs is visible in lung cancer patients.
- Worsening cough or one that doesn’t go away
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Shortness of breath or troubled breathing
- Blood in cough
- Wheezing
- Loss of appetite
- Hoarseness
- Unexplained fatigue
- Unexplained weight loss
- Swelling in the face, arms, neck, or chest
- Shoulder pain
Signs of Lung Cancer
Coughing or fever can be due to a change in season or some viral fever on the rise, but if the cough or fever recurs, it could be an early sign of pneumonia. If it accompanies other signs such as shortness of breath, persistent cough, hoarseness, swelling in the face or arms, unexplained weight loss, or any of the above-mentioned symptoms, it could be a sign of lung cancer. In such a case, one can refer to a cancer hospital and get screened for lung cancer before it advances to later stages.
Stages of Lung Cancer
Based on the size of the tumour, the cancer stage is decided. How deep or far it has penetrated the tissues, and to which other organs or nodes cancer has spread determines the cancer stage. Therefore, the stages of lung cancer consider the size and spread. It means that a primary tumour in Stage-ii could be smaller than in Stage I. However, considering other factors, it might put cancer in a more advanced stage.
Stage 0: Cancer is restricted to the top lining of the bronchus or lungs
Stage I: Cancer hasn’t spread outside the lungs
Stage II: Cancer has spread to nodes inside the lungs; there could be more than one tumour in the same lobe of the lung
Stage III: Cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes; the possibility of more than one tumour in the same lung
Stage IV: Cancer has spread to the other lung; could have spread to the fluid around the lung or the heart or other organs
Diagnosis of Lung cancer
Upon having persistent symptoms, a visit to a cancer hospital can help diagnose the possibility or stage of lung cancer. Various steps are involved in diagnosing lung cancer. A healthcare professional will learn about the patient’s history and then conduct a physical exam after considering symptoms and signs.
Blood tests and chest X-ray is done, to begin with. If the healthcare professional suspects cancerous growth of cells in the lungs, more imaging tests will be conducted. CT-Scan and biopsy are the further procedures in case there is some abnormality in X-ray and blood tests. To diagnose the spread and determine the stage of cancer, CT/PET scan is done. If a tumour has developed, it will get reflected in the CT scan as these might be too small to be detected by an X-ray.
Prevention of Lung Cancer
A few precautions can keep lung cancer at bay. These are:
- Avoid cancer-causing chemicals: Limiting exposure to known cancer-causing substances lowers the risk of lung cancer and all types of cancer.
- Quit smoking: It cannot be emphasized enough that quitting smoking can be tremendously helpful in keeping diseases like cancer at bay.
- Stay away from radon: Radon is a natural gas that is emitted from the earth. Closed spaces accumulate radon which is cancerous in the long term, thereby increasing the risk of lung cancer.
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