What is Lung Cancer?
BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery), 6 years of experience
What is the meaning of Lung Cancer?
Lung cancer is caused due to uncontrolled growth of lung cells. In India, lung cancer is more common in men than in women. According to Globocan’s report, as per their rate of occurrence, male lung cancer is in fourth place and female lung cancer is in sixth place in India. Lung cancer can be difficult to diagnose during the early stages because the symptoms may be similar to those of a respiratory infection, or there may be no symptoms at all.
In this article, we will explain the nature of lung cancer, how to recognize the symptoms, and the ways doctors treat lung cancer before it becomes life-threatening.
- What is Lung Cancer?
- What are the Types of Lung Cancer?
- What are the causes of Lung Cancer?
- What are the symptoms of Lung Cancer?
- What are the Stages of Lung Cancer?
- How do you diagnose Lung Cancer?
- What are the treatments of Lung Cancer?
- How to Prevent Lung Cancer?
- FAQs about Lung Cancer?
What is Lung Cancer?
Cancer overrides the instructions of the cells to die at a certain stage in their life cycle, enabling cells to grow and multiply when they should not. Overgrowth of cells leads to tumor development and the harmful effects of cancer. In lung cancer, this pattern of cell overgrowth starts in the lungs, which are vital organs for breathing and gas exchange. Cancer cells, unlike normal cells, grow very rapidly and in a haphazard manner. These cells cluster together to form tumors and destroy the healthy lung tissue around them. While anyone can develop lung cancer, cigarette smoking and exposure to smoke can increase the likelihood that a person will experience this condition. Lung cancer can also develop if you have any history of exposure to inhaled chemicals or other toxins.
What are the Types of Lung Cancer?
Lung cancer is often divided into 2 types: small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
- Small cell lung cancer (SCLC): It accounts for about 13-15% of all lung cancers. The tumor cells appear small and oval-like under a microscope. Because of this oats-like appearance under a microscope, it is also called “oat-cell” cancer. It grows very fast and by the time it is diagnosed it will have already spread (metastasized) outside of the lungs.
- Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): It is the most common form of lung cancer and accounts for about 80-85% of all lung cancers. The cells appear relatively larger under a microscope. This type of lung cancer is found most often in mucous secreting cells. It has a slower rate of growth and is less aggressive than small cell lung cancer.( Know more about- What is Lung Cancer Screening? )
What are the causes of Lung Cancer?
- Cigarette smoking, both active and passive, is the main cause of lung cancer as continuous exposure to smoke makes a person more prone to lung cancer. It causes about 80% of lung cancer deaths
- Vehicle smoke and excessive exposure to gamma and X-rays increase the chances of lung cancer
- Air pollution ( Know more about- What is Nasopharyngeal Cancer Treatment?)
- Genetic factors or family history of lung cancer
- Previous radiotherapy treatment
- Workplace exposure to chemicals like asbestos, radon and diesel exhaust
What are the symptoms of Lung Cancer?
In people with lung cancer, until the condition has reached a later stage; symptoms do not always occur. However, some people may notice symptoms that they think may be related to less severe, serious illnesses. Some of them are:
- Loss of appetite ( Know more about- What is Stomach Cancer Treatment? )
- Changes in a person’s voice, such as hoarseness
- Frequent chest infections, like bronchitis, pneumonia
- Dull, persistent cough
- Shortness of breath
- Unexplained headaches
- Weight loss
- Wheezing
- Fatigue or weakness
- Swollen lymph nodes ( Know more about- What is Spine Tumor Treatment? )
A person may also experience more severe symptoms associated with lung cancer. These include severe chest pain or bone pain or coughing up blood and rust-colored sputum (phlegm).
What are the stages of Lung Cancer?
There are 4 stages of lung cancer:
- Stage 1:- The tumor is less than 3 cm in size and is localized to one area of the lung. In stage 1; cancer has not started to spread yet
- Stage 2: The tumor is less than 6 cm in size and single metastases (spread) are observed
- Stage 3: The tumor is more than 6 cm and has now spread to the lymph nodes
- Stage 4: The tumor has now spread to other organs. This is the most fatal stage of lung cancer
How do you diagnose Lung Cancer?
- Chest X-ray: A chest X-ray can be done to detect tumors larger than 1 centimeter in size
- CT scan: CT scans can detect even smaller tumors than those found by X-rays. It uses X-ray beams to take many pictures of the inside of the body
- Biopsy: Small tissue of lung lesion is examined under a microscope to confirm the diagnosis of lung cancer.
What are the treatments of Lung Cancer?
Treatments for lung cancer depend on its location and stage, as well as the overall health of the individual. Surgery and radiation are the most common approaches to treat lung cancer, but other treatments are available. For example, small cell lung cancers are often treated with chemotherapy. Possible treatments include:
- Surgery: A doctor may operate to remove the cancerous lung tissue and the surrounding tissue where cancer has spread. This sometimes involves the removal of a lobe or large portion of the lung in a procedure called a lobectomy. ( Know more about- What is Lung Transplant? )
- Lobectomy is the most commonly performed lung cancer surgery. In severe cases, the surgeon may remove one lung in its entirety (also called pneumonectomy). A person can live without a lung but being in good health before surgery helps improve outcomes after the removal of the lung. Surgery can cure early-stage lung cancer that hasn’t spread.
- Chemotherapy: This treatment uses drugs to shrink and eradicate cancer cells. These drugs target rapidly dividing cells which makes them ideal for the treatment of cancer. It stops or slows down the cells from growing, multiplying and making more cells. Chemotherapy treatment has a more significant effect on cancer that has spread to different parts of the body and requires a wider attack on the body. Hence, chemotherapy is the most common form of treatment of small cell lung cancer, as more often than not, it is diagnosed after cancer has spread outside of the lungs. However, chemotherapy is a powerful intervention and can affect normal cells as well, causing side effects like nausea, fall in immunity, and hair loss. ( Know more about- What is Chemotherapy? )
- Radiation therapy: Radiation therapy uses high-energy X-rays to kill cancer cells or keep them from growing. The radiation can be external or it can be internal by placing radioactive material directly inside the tumor. External radiation is more common. Radiation therapy is mainly useful for cancers that occur in one place and do not spread. It can also be used to relieve symptoms caused by cancer, such as blockage of airways by the tumor.
- Targeted therapy: It is the use of selective medications that specifically target a particular behaviour in cancer cells. Examples include medicines, like Bevacizumab and Crizotinib that prevent cancer cells from multiplying.
How to Prevent Lung Cancer?
- Avoid smoking cigarettes and avoid secondhand smoke to prevent lung cancer
- Lower exposure to workplace risk factors like asbestos and arsenic
- Eat a healthy diet
- Exercise regularly
What is the cost of Lung Cancer Treatment in India?
The total cost of lung cancer treatment in India can range from around INR 2,50,000 to INR 7,50,000. However, the cost of the procedure may vary across different hospitals. There are many big hospitals and specialized doctors in India for lung cancer treatment. The cost varies across different hospitals.
If you are coming from abroad, in addition to the expenses of lung cancer treatment, there will be a cost of staying in a hotel, cost of living, and cost of local travel. Apart from this, after the procedure, the patient is kept in hospital for 5 days and in the hotel for 15 days for recovery. So, the total cost of lung cancer treatment in India comes to be around INR 4,00,000 to INR 10,00,000.
We hope that all your questions regarding lung cancer treatment have been answered through this article.
If you want to get more information and the treatment of lung cancer, then immediately contact a Surgical Oncologist.
We only aim to give you information through the article and do not recommend medication or treatment in any way. Only a doctor can give you the best advice and correct treatment plan.
FAQs About Lung Cancer
- Can non-smokers get lung cancer?
Ans: Smoking is the most common cause of lung cancer, however; it is not uncommon for non-smokers to get lung cancer as well. Lung cancer in non-smokers can be caused by exposure to radon, air pollution, secondhand smoke, etc.
- What percentage of smokers get lung cancer?
Ans: About 10-15% of smokers develop lung cancer and around 1.2 million people die each year of smoking-related health issues.
- How quickly does lung cancer spread?
Ans: It depends on the type of lung cancer that you have. Small cell lung cancer spreads rapidly and can cause death within 6 months if not treated whereas; non-small cell lung cancer can take about 3-6 months to double its size and can be undetected for several years.
- How long can you live after being diagnosed with lung cancer?
Ans: The survival rate varies depending on the type and the stage of lung cancer that you have. The five-year survival rate is 56% in lung cancers that haven’t spread. It drops to 5% in lung cancers that have spread to other organs.
We hope we were able to answer your questions pertaining to Lung Cancer through this article.
