Meaning of Lung Cancer
Lung cancer is the medical condition where abnormal growth takes place in the cells of either one or both of the lungs, in most cases in the inner linings of the air passage. The cells affected by the abnormal growth do not develop into the usual, healthy lung tissue but rather divides rapidly and leads to malignant tumors.
Lung cancer can be broadly classified into two categories:
1) Small cell lung cancer (SCLC)
2) Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLCL)
Majority of the lung cancer cases are of NSCLC type, which is further divided into four categories:
a) Squamous cell carcinoma or epidermoid carcinoma: This type of lung cancer is the most commonly occurring one and targets the cells in lining of the bronchial tubes. This occurs mostly in men.
b) Adenocarcinoma: This category of lung cancer is seen mostly in women. It takes place in the mucus-producing glands of the lungs. People who are complete nonsmokers can also get affected by this type.
c) Bronchioalveolar carcinoma: The air sacs of the lungs are not a very common place for lung cancer, but this rare type of NSCLC tumor targets that particular area.
d) Large-cell undifferentiated carcinoma: Forming near the outer edges and peripheral surface areas of the organ, this type of lung cancer is not so common but dangerous because of its rapid growth.
Symptoms of Lung Cancer
Lung cancer symptoms can be confused with regular physiological problems because of their nature. Some people display very little or no symptoms at all. There are no ways to know surely unless an X-ray or scan reveals the diagnosis.
- Constant coughing that does not go away
- Red or rust colored phlegm while coughing or blood in it
- Immense chest pain
- Wheezing
- Difficulty in breathing
- Hoarseness in the voice
- Drastic change in weight
- Frequent occurrence of bronchitis or pneumonia
- Pain in the bones and limbs
- Headache
Diagnosis of Lung Cancer
If you have been experiencing many of these symptoms of late, it is high time you should see a doctor. You can visit your general physician at first and explain in detail the duration, extent and severity of your symptoms.
a) Imaging tests: X-rays and CT scans fall under imaging tests. An X-ray image is capable of revealing if there is an anomaly in the lungs, like a lump or a nodule inside. A CT scan is more detailed imaging of smaller lesions that cannot be fully seen in the X-ray.
b) Traditional Biopsy: In biopsy, a small tissue sample of the anomalous cell is taken to check in the pathological lab the nature of the cells – whether they are malignant or not.
c) Bronchoscopy: It gives the doctor a look inside the airways of the lungs and makes it easier to take biopsies if the tumors exist there.
d) Sputum Cytology: A sample of your sputum (phlegm) is taken and seen under the microscope to detect signs of cancer cells in it or other lung fluids.
e) Positron Emission Topography (PET) and bone scans: These are mostly to allow understanding in which stage the cancer is and whether it has spread beyond the lungs to other body parts.
Causes of Lung Cancer
Smoking is the most common reason why people get lung cancer. However, nonsmokers can get the tumor too because of exposure to a variety of things present in the air:
- Arsenic
- Cadmium
- Coal and coke fumes
- Automobile exhaust
- Beryllium
-Asbestos particles
- Silica and nickel
- Radon, a radioactive natural gas
- Passive smoking or exposure to the smoke of other people’s smoking
Prevention of Lung Cancer
a) The first and foremost step is to quit smoking if you do smoke.
b) Avoiding passive smoking at home and in public smoking areas
c) Check for levels of radon in your home
d) Wearing masks if you have to visit industrial areas with lots of asbestos particles
e) Avoid supplements with beta-carotene, retinol or lutein. Studies have shown that these supplements, often taken without doctor’s prescription, can be a cause for lung cancer.
Treatment of Lung Cancer
The treatment for lung cancer depends on things like the stage, the part of the lungs where cancer has taken place, what side effects there might be and your general health.
a) Surgery: When cancer has been contained to a part of the lungs, removing the affected part of the lungs by surgery is the best way. Lobectomy is the most common surgery for lung cancer.
b) Radiofrequency ablation: NSCLC which cannot be treated with lobectomy are treated in this technique where the cells are killed with electric current via a needle.
c) Chemotherapy: Chemo drugs are inserted into the body via IV tubes over several sessions which target and kill the cells.
d) Radiation: It kills the cells with high energy X-rays pointed at the cells. Radiation can be an associate treatment along with surgery and chemotherapy to reduce the size of the tumor.
Complications/Risks
Depending on the type of treatment, there can be certain complications, mostly in chemotherapy.
- Difficulty in breathing or talking
- Hair loss
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Nausea, vomiting, and change in appetite
Home remedies for Lung cancer
a) Mouth rinsing: to keep it from drying.
b) Water, fruit juice, glucose content: to keep the body from dehydrating because of omitting and nausea.
c) Maintaining a proper diet: as prescribed by a professional doctor or dietician.
Did you know (trivia)
1. Lung cancer is the second most common cancer in both men and women (excluding skin cancer)
2. Men have historically had a higher chance of contracting lung cancer.
3. November is the lung cancer awareness month.
4. Around 80%-85% of cases are attributed to smoking.
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