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Everything you should know about lung cancer

Cancer of the lungs, as the name suggests, starts from the lungs. It is among the most common types of cancers suffered by people across the world. Smokers are at the highest risk of developing lung cancer. However, it can also affect people who haven’s smoked in their entire lives. A person’s likeliness of developing lung cancer keeps increasing with the amount of time and cigarettes they have smoked. If a person who has been smoking for several years quits the habit, they can reduce their chances of getting lung cancer significantly.

Everything you should know about lung cancer

Overview
Just like most types, lung cancer develops when there are some abnormalities in the cells. Under normal circumstances, proper checks are conducted by the body to make sure that the growth of cells occurs only when new cells are needed. When there is a disruption in this system, the cells grow uncontrollably and divide at an abnormal rate. This leads to the formation of a mass in the body, which is often referred to as a tumor.

Tumors are of two types: benign and malignant. And in cancer, the tumor is always malignant. If the tumor is benign, it can be surgically removed to stop its spread in the body. But when the tumor is malignant, it can grow uncontrollably at the place where it starts. In addition to this, the cells of the tumor can enter the lymphatic system or the bloodstream and reach other parts of the body. This spread of cancer cells is referred to as metastasis. When a person suffers from lung cancer, the tumor starts spreading soon after it forms, making lung cancer a dangerous type to look out for. The rate at which these cells spread also makes lung cancer a disease that is difficult to treat and cure. The malignant cells in lung cancer can spread to any part of the body. However, the most common locations they affect include the liver, brain, adrenal glands, and bones.

Although lung cancer can start from any part of the lungs, in approximately 95% of all cases, it begins from epithelial cells. These cells line the two airways of the lungs: the bronchi and bronchioles. This is why lung cancer can also, at times, be referred to as bronchogenic carcinomas or bronchogenic cancers.

Lung cancer affects both males and females and has been the most common type of cancer to cause deaths across the globe. The National Cancer Institute predicts approximately 116,000 new cases of lung cancer in men and 113,000 in women in the country for 2020. The deaths from lung cancer in the country are predicted to be around 73,000 in men and 63,000 in women.

Lung cancer has been observed to mostly affect the elderly. About 70% of all lung cancer patients are aged above 65 and only 3% of them are below 45.

The commonality of lung cancer has increased over time, and it has been directly linked with the increased consumption of tobacco through smoking. In the country, lung cancer has become more common than breast cancer. In fact, the former has been the more common cause of death in women as compared to the latter.

Symptoms of lung cancer
Depending on the part of the lungs that are affected by cancer, the early symptoms of the disease can include breathlessness or some cough. As the disease progresses, the symptoms can intensify and become more severe. Like most types of cancer, systemic symptoms also are a part of lung cancer. These can include tiredness or fatigue and appetite loss.

When the cancer is at its early stages, the tumor has not grown more than two inches and is yet to spread to other parts of the body such as the lymph nodes. Therefore, at this stage, the symptoms remain mild or in some cases, there can be no symptoms at all. However, when the tumor has grown more than two inches or has spread to other parts of the body, such as the lymph nodes, it is considered to be at an advanced stage. At this stage, the symptoms become more noticeable.

The symptoms of lung cancer are similar to those of some other lung conditions, such as

  • Cough
    Cough is our body’s response to remove the irritants from the airway or the throat. This is done by filling the lung with an airburst. When the cough becomes persistent and intense and keeps worsening with time, it can be a symptom of lung cancer. However, it is also a common symptom associated with several other conditions. If one has been coughing up blood or has bloody phlegm or mucus, they should be rushed to a doctor immediately.
  • Breathing problems
    A feeling of chest tightness or problems with catching a breath is often referred to as dyspnea. When there are large tumors formed in the lungs or if cancer has reached other parts of the body, it can block cause a blockage in the main airways and lead to the accumulation of fluid in areas around the lungs. This buildup of fluid is known as pleural effusion. It is this buildup that leads to breathlessness, pain in the chest, and severe other symptoms associated with lung cancer. When the breathlessness is persistent or when it starts affecting your daily routine activities, you must see a doctor.
  • Wheezing
    It is a high-pitched sound similar to that of a whistle and occurs during breathing. It is caused when there is a constriction in the airways and is commonly associated with asthma. However, wheezing can also be caused by a tumor in the lungs. If you have been noticing a prominent wheezing sound, which is accompanied by other symptoms such as breathlessness, you must contact your doctor.
  • Hoarseness
    Sounds are produced by our vocal cords that open and shut to produce vibrations. But when lung cancer has affected the laryngeal nerve, it can have an impact on the vocal cords and lead to changes in the voice or hoarseness. Also, you must know that hoarseness is commonly associated with several other conditions. So, if this lasts for over two weeks, you should see a doctor.
  • Chronic fatigue
    This is a common symptom associated with lung cancer. When the body is under attack, it starts working overtime to protect itself. This drains out all the energy in the body and eventually makes you feel tired. As the disease progresses, fatigue can become more severe. When it starts affecting your daily routine, you must visit a doctor.
  • Fever
    Fever is often an indicator of something abnormal in the body. As a response to any sickness, the body’s temperature starts rising above its normal levels. This is done by the body to prevent the loss of heat to the maximum and to ward off any infections. If the fever goes way beyond the normal levels or does not go away after a few days, you must see your doctor.
  • Swelling or edema
    Any damage to the capillaries in the body can make them leak fluid. As a response to the damage and to minimize the loss, the kidneys start responding through water and salt retention. When there is an excessive buildup of fluid, the capillaries start leaking. In response, the lymph nodes start working to remove this extra fluid from the body. However, when the lymph nodes are damaged due to cancer, it can lead to a blockage and stop the lymph nodes from performing their task. This eventually leads to a swelling on the face, arms, and neck.

There are several other symptoms associated with lung cancer, including

  • Shoulder or back pain
  • Frequent pain in the chest
  • Frequent infections in the lungs
  • Unexplained or unintended weight loss
  • Appetite loss

Once cancer spreads to other parts of the body, it can cause lead to a whole new set of symptoms, such as

  • Pain in the bones and joints
  • Headaches
  • Dizziness
  • Loss of memory
  • Feeling of numbness or weakness in the legs and arms
  • Clotting in the blood
  • Formation of lumps on the surface of the skin
  • Seizures

Causes of lung cancer
There are various causes of lung cancer, and the most prominent ones include

  • Active and passive smoking
    The occurrence of lung cancer has been commonly associated with smoking cigarettes. As many as 90% of all lung cancer cases are seen to be arising out of the use of tobacco. As the consumption and duration of cigarette smoking increases, the risk of developing lung cancer also multiplies. This risk is often referred to as pack-years of smoking history. It is calculated by the number of cigarettes a person has smoked in a day multiplied by the years he/she has smoked for. For example, if a person has smoked three packets of cigarettes every day for 10 years, his/her pack-year smoking history is 30. A person with even a pack-year history of 10 is at an increased risk of lung cancer. A person with a pack-year history of 30 is believed to be at the highest risk of developing the disease. Also, people who share a space with smokers are considered to be at the risk of suffering from lung cancer.
  • Inhaling asbestos fibers
    Silicate and asbestos fibers stay in the lung tissue for a very long time. The exposure to such fibers was often considered to be a work hazard. So, many countries, including the US, have limited the use of asbestos. However, cigarette smoking can still increase the risk of developing chances of lung cancer caused due to asbestos exposure.

Several other causes can increase the chances of developing lung cancer, such as

  • Radon gas exposure
  • Genetics
  • Lung diseases
  • Air pollution
  • Exposure to diesel exhaust

Treatment options for lung cancer
Before starting the treatment for lung cancer, getting a second opinion is always recommended. When a person has lung cancer, there is usually a group of doctors providing the treatment. This team of healthcare professionals usually includes

  • a thoracic surgeon,
  • a pulmonologist,
  • a radiation oncologist, and
  • a medical oncologist.

Before arriving at a conclusion and going ahead with a treatment plan, it is always recommended to discuss all your options with the doctors.

The treatment for non-small cell lung cancer is often planned based on the health condition of the patient and the current stage they’re in.

  • For stage 1
    The patient might only require a small surgery to remove a part of the lung. In some cases, chemotherapy can also be suggested.
  • For stage 2
    Surgery can be required to remove the entire or just a part of the lung. In most cases, chemotherapy is also recommended.
  • For stage 3
    A combination of various treatments is required and recommended. These include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation treatment.
  • For stage 4
    If a person is at this stage, curing the condition might not be possible. The treatment options at this stage include targeted therapy, chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, and immunotherapy.

Natural remedies for lung cancer
Home remedies or natural methods will not treat lung cancer. However, they can be used to get relief from some of the symptoms of the condition. These remedies are

  • Massage to relieve stress and anxiety
  • Meditation to improve the quality of life
  • Yoga to improve overall health and sleeping habits

Dietary tips for lung cancer patients
Although there is no specific diet to treat lung cancer, patients need to ensure that they are supplying all the vital nutrients to their body. If the body lacks certain minerals or vitamins, the doctor will recommend foods to help you compensate. Some dietary tips that you must follow include

  • Eating something as soon as you have an appetite
  • Consuming smaller meals through the day if you have lost your appetite
  • Having high-calorie and low-sugar foods if you need to put on some weight
  • Drinking ginger and mint teas to keep the digestive system healthy
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