Lung Cancer Symptoms, Causes, Types, Stages, Diagnosis, Treatment

Lung cancer is a form of cancer that develops in the lung. The lung is a pair of soft organs inside your chest. They absorb oxygen when you breathe in and release carbon dioxide after exhaling.

Lung cancer is the leading cancer cause of death in the world.

Smokers have the highest risk of developing lung cancer. However, lung cancer may also develop in those who haven't had a cigarette. The risk of developing lung cancer rises depending on the time and the number of cigarettes you've consumed. 

If you have stopped smoking cigarettes, even after having smoked for an extended period, it will reduce the risk of developing lung cancer.

                          Symptoms

Lung cancer usually doesn't trigger symptoms or signs at the beginning of its development. Instead, the signs and symptoms of lung cancer typically occur after the disease has advanced.

A sign or symptom of lung cancer could include:

💧An unexpected cough that won't get better or disappear

💧Sniffing blood, even a tiny amount

💧Breathing shortness

💧Chest pain

💧Hoarseness

💧Losing weight without even trying

💧Bone pain

💧Headache

Anyone can get it. Lung cancer can develop when the cells of the lung change or alter. Many factors can cause the mutation (a permanent change to the sequence of DNA in the gene) to occur. 

This alteration in the lung cells occurs when people breathe in harmful and toxic substances. Even if you were exposed to these chemicals a few years ago, you're still at risk of lung cancer. So first, discuss with your physician when you've had exposure to one of these chemicals that are listed below. Then, follow steps to decrease the risk of developing lung cancer and safeguard your lung.

                 Causes Of Lungs Cancer

1:Smoking

Smoking cigarettes is the most common reason for lung cancer. It is responsible for about 90% of lung cancer-related cases. In addition, smoking tobacco is a source of many chemicals known to cause lung cancer. Therefore, stopping smoking is the most effective thing to improve your health if you smoke.

Smokers aren't the only ones who are affected by cigarettes smoke. If you're a previous smoker, the risk diminished, but it's not been eliminated. You can still develop lung cancer. Non-smokers are also affected by smoking cigarettes. Smoking secondhand smoke can put the risk of lung cancer and other ailments.

2:Radon

Exposure to radiation from Radon is the second most significant cause of lung cancer. Radon is colourless and smells less radioactive gas found organically in soil. Instead, it rises through the ground before entering structures through tiny spaces and fractures.

3:Hazardous Chemicals

Exposure to hazardous chemicals could cause lung cancer. Working with substances such as asbestos, uranium and arsenic, Cadmium, chromium-nickel, and petroleum products is particularly dangerous.

4:Particle Pollution

Particle pollution is the mixture of tiny pieces of liquid and solid particles present in the air that we breathe. Research has shown that particle pollution -- like those emitted by exhaust smoke, increases the risk of lung cancer.

                   Types Of Lungs Cancer

There are various kinds of cancers of the lung that originate from primary, and they are classified into two principal categories:

• small cell lung cancer (SCLC)
• non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

The most commonly encountered form is non-small Lung cancer, a cell.

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC)

About 15 to 20 per cent of 100 cases of lung cancer (around 15 to 20 per cent) diagnosed are of this kind. Smoking cigarettes cause the majority of cases. Cancers can be diagnosed early.

Lung cancers of small cells are also classified as neuroendocrine tumours. Neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) can be described as rare tumours that arise in the neurons in neurons in the system of the brain. When it comes to small cell lung cancers, the tumour originates in the neuroendocrine cell of the lung.

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

Between 80 and 85 cents of 100 cancers of the lung (around 80-85 per cent) across the UK are non-small lymphoma lung cancer (NSCLC). The three major kinds are adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and large cell carcinoma.

They are classified together because they respond in the same way and react to treatments in the same way.

Adenocarcinoma

This is the most typical form and is found in the glands for mucus cells that line your airways.

Squamous cell carcinoma

This cancer develops in the fat cells that line the airways' surface. It is more likely to grow close to the centre of the lung.

Large cell carcinoma

The cancerous cells appear huge and round when examined under a microscope.

Other forms of non-small cell cancer

If your cancerous cells appear like they are not fully developed under a microscope, your doctor will not be able to determine the type of cancer you're suffering from. However, there are various tests that the team can perform to get more details from the specimen.

               Stages of lung cancer

The stages of cancer indicate how far this cancer is spreading and aid in determining the best treatment.

The likelihood of success cure or curative treatment is more significant when lung cancer is discovered and treated in its early stages before it begins to spread. Unfortunately, since lung cancer does not cause noticeable symptoms until the early stages, it is often diagnosed after the cancer has progressed.

Non-small-cell lung cancer can be found in four major stages:

• Phase 1 is detected in the lung, but it hasn't spread beyond the lung.
• Stage 2 It is cancerous in the lung and adjacent lymph nodes.
• 3. It is a cancer of the lymph nodes and the lung in the middle of the chest.
• 3. A Stage: Lymph nodes can be found to harbour cancer; however, only on the side of the chest that cancer first begins to grow.
• 3. B Stage: Cancer has also spread to the lymph nodes located on one chest side or to lymph nodes above the collarbone.
• Stage 4 cancer has spread to the lungs and the lung area and even to distant organs.

Cancer called small cell lung (SCLC) is found in two primary stages. The limited stage is diagnosed in just one lung or lymph node located nearby on the same chest side.

The advanced stage indicates that cancer has spread

• all over one lung
• To the lung on the opposite side
• to lymph nodes located on the opposite side
• to the fluid that surrounds the lung
• to the bone to bone
• to distant organs

When the diagnosis is made, two of 3 patients diagnosed with SCLC are in the advanced stage.

                 Diagnosing lung cancer

After a physical exam, your doctor will inform you what you need to do for specific tests, for example:

• Tests for imaging A suspicious mass is visible in X-rays, MRI, CT, and PET scans. These scans provide more details and can reveal smaller lesions.
• Sputum Cytology If you create coughing up phlegm, A microscopic examination will determine whether cancerous cells are present.

A biopsy will determine whether tumour cells are cancerous. A tissue sample is obtained through:

• Bronchoscopy Under sedation, an illuminating tube is inserted into your throat and then into your lungs. This allows for an examination of your lungs.
• Mediastinoscopy, The doctor creates an incision near the base of the neck. An instrument with light is introduced, and surgical instruments extract the lymph nodes' samples. It is typically performed in a hospital with general anaesthesia.
• Needle Utilizing imaging tests as a reference, the needle is then inserted into the chest into the lung tissue with suspicious signs. A needle biopsy may also be utilized to determine the presence of lymph nodes.

The samples of tissue are taken to the pathologist for examination. If the test results are harmful to the presence of cancer, additional tests, like the bone scan, may help to determine whether cancer has spread or aid in the staging.

To conduct the test, you'll be infused with a radioactive substance. Abnormal bone areas will be highlighted on the scans. MRI, CT, and PET scans can also be used to determine the condition of the bone.

                       Treatment for lung cancer

It's recommended to get a different opinion before beginning treatment. Your physician might be able to get you to that point. If you're diagnosed with cancer of the lung, your treatment will be overseen by a group of doctors that could comprise:

• A surgeon who is specialized in lungs and chest surgery (thoracic surgeon)
• a lung specialist (pulmonologist)
• A medical oncologist
• A radiation oncologist

Search all treatment options before taking a final decision. The doctors will coordinate treatment and keep you informed.

Treatment for lung cancer that is non-small cell (NSCLC) The treatment for NSCLC varies from individual to individual. A lot depends on specific aspects of your overall health.

1. Stage NSCLC Surgery to remove a part of the lung could be all you require. Chemotherapy is also a possibility, especially if you're an increased chance of repeating.

In stage 2 of NSCLC, you may require surgery to remove a portion of the entire lung. Chemotherapy is generally suggested.

Stage 3 NSCLC There is a possibility that you will require surgical, chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

Stage 4 of NSCLC is the most difficult to treat. However, there are options for treatment, including surgery treatment with targeted therapies, chemotherapy and immunotherapy.

Small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treatment options may also include chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation treatment. However, most of the time, the tumour is too advanced for surgery.

Clinical trials offer exciting new therapies. Consult your physician to determine whether you're eligible for the clinical trial.

A few patients who have advanced lung cancer decide not to undergo treatment. However, there is still a possibility of choosing palliative care therapies focused on treating cancer symptoms, not cancer itself.