DONATELUNG CANCER
Overview
Lung cancer is the most prevalent type of cancer and the leading cause of causalities globally. What makes lung cancer more dreaded than its counterparts is its deplorable prognosis. The medical condition is difficult to diagnose in the earlier stages and it reaches criticality by the time the doctor can identify it. Though lung cancer affects people of all age groups, it is more common in elderly. According WHO study, 70% of lung cancer cases involve patients aged 65 years or above, while the rate of lung cancer patients is just 3% in the population aged 45 years or below. Smoking is the prime reason for lung cancer followed by prolonged exposure to asbestos fibres, radon gas and air pollution.Many conditions mimic lung cancer like – Tuberculosis, Sarcoidosis, fungal infection.
What is Lung Cancer?
On basis of size and appearance, Oncologists classify lung cancer into two broad categories – Small Cell Lung Cancers (SCLC) and Non-Small Cell Lung Cancers (NSCLC). As the types vary in the cause and impact, the lung cancer treatment options also vary. As such, knowing the difference between them becomes imperative.
Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC):
This type of lung cancer is most lethal for its ability to grow and spread aggressively to other body organs without being detected. Smokers are the primary candidates of SCLC.
Non Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC):
NSCLC is the most prominent lung cancer, accounting for over 80 percent of cases globally. NSCLC can be further subcategorized as Adenocarcinomas, Bronchioloalveolar carcinoma, Squamous cell carcinomas and large cell carcinomas.
Causes of Lung Cancer:
Smoking is the major cause of lung cancer – in both smokers. But you will be surprised to know that lung cancer may also develop in people who never smoked in their life – inhaled smoke due to passive smoking or second hand smoke. In second hand smoking, the causes of lung cancer are not clear.
But in smokers, the smoke of cigarettes, cigars, pipes, etc. are likely to damage the lining of the lungs. When people near you also inhale cigarette smoke that is full of carcinogens, there are more chances of lung tissues to develop tumor or cancer.
Initially, your body may try to repair this damage but with increasing and repeated exposure, the normal cells lining your lungs increase the chances of damage. Over time, the lung damage increases the growth of abnormal cells that eventually cause cancer.
Other Causes of Lung Cancer Include:
Exposure to radon gas
The family history of lung cancer
Exposure to asbestos, as well as other carcinogens
Signs and Symptoms of Lung Cancer
Nearly 25% of people with lung cancer experience no signs and symptoms before diagnoses via chest X-ray or CT scan that is done for any other reasons like chest pain, breathing problem, etc. So, it is important to know the early signs and symptoms of lung cancer. Given below are the early signs or causes of lung cancer that you must be aware of and immediately see the doctor if you experience any of these symptoms:
A Cough which does not settle
You must be aware of a lingering cough that won’t quit. Usually, cough is related to any respiratory infection or cold. But if it is persistent and doesn’t seem to go away, it might be an early symptom of lung cancer. You should not neglect a stubborn cough and immediately consult your doctor and get necessary test done
Hoarseness and Changes in a Chronic Cough
Change in quality of voice is associated with lung cancer if a tumor affects the nerves controlling the voice box. Generally, hoarse or raspy voice can also be due to cold or throat infection. Consult a doctor if it is persist. If you smoke, you need to pay attention to the changes in a chronic cough. If a persistent cough is accompanied by deeper hoarse sound and you’re noticing blood while coughing, it’s best to see the doctor right away.
Changes in Breathing Pattern
If you are experiencing breathlessness or feeling easily winded, these might be the early signs of lung cancer. These changes in breathing pattern occur if air passage is blocked due to tumor build up in the lungs or chest. If you feel breathlessness even after climbing regular stairs or performing small tasks at home/office, don’t neglect it.
Chest Pain
You must see your doctor if you observe any dull, sharp, or intermittent chest pain. Also, note that whether it is occurring throughout the chest or just confined to a particular area. Chest pain can be associated with lung cancer.
Wheezing
Whistling or wheezing sound produced while breathing is due to the blocked, inflamed or constricted airways in the lungs. Wheezing occurs due to different reasons, such as benign that can be treated easily. But it is also associated with lung cancer, so you cannot ignore this symptom. Don’t just assume that it is being caused by allergies or asthma. Just see your doctor for the diagnosis.
Sudden Weight Loss
Sudden or unexplained weight loss of 8 to 10 kg or more could be a sign of lung cancer or any other type of cancer. The weight loss occurs because cancer cells start using excess energy, resulting in using energy from the food you consume. If you’re not into regular exercising and still you observe weight loss, it’s a matter of serious concern.
Bone Pain
If lung cancer spreads to bones, you may start observing pain in the shoulder, back and other areas of your body. This pain usually worsens at night when you’re resting on the back. It is actually difficult to find out whether it’s muscle pain or bone pain. But in lung cancer, the pain increases with movement and becomes worse at night while resting.
Headache
All headaches are not associated with lung cancer but if a lung tumor starts creating pressure on the brain, vomiting and weakness may be present.
Treatment of Lung Cancer
Lung Cancer can be treated in different ways based on the his histological and molecular types. Unfortunately 90% of lung cancer are detected in advanced stages.
Surgery
It is the operation where the surgeon will take out the cancer tissues and remove it. It gives best results in early stage NSCLC.
Chemotherapy
With the help of the special medication, the cancer cells will shrink and it will kill the cancer cells.
Targeted therapy
With the help of the drug, the doctors will block the growth and spreading of the cancer cells to the other parts. The drugs are generally in the form of pills. Targeted Therapy will depends on molecular studies/NGS etc.
Radiation therapy
With the high energy rays, the doctors will help in killing the cancer cells with this radiation therapy. It may be used also for bony metastasis ,Brain metastasis.
