Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is classified according to the size of the cell. The two major forms of lung cancer are:

1. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) comprises approximately 85% of all lung cancers. When the cancer cells are not small, the cancer is known as non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Different subtypes of these cancers are found- adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and large cell carcinoma.
2. Small cell lung cancer (SCLC)  If the cells are small the cancer is known as small cell lung cancer (NCLC) and  makes approximately 10 to 20% of all lung cancers. This cancer grows quickly, and shows a positive response to chemotherapy and radiation therapy as a result. Unfortunately, for most people, this cancer will return at some point.

In most instances, lung cancers do not have any symptoms.  Lung cancer symptoms vary from person to person.  Symptoms may not be evident until the lung disease is in its severe stage.  Symptoms may include:

• Coughing getting worse over time and not disappearing

• Short Breath

• Chest pain, back pain, and shoulder pain

• Loss of appetite

• Weakness

• Wheezing

• Difficulty with swallowing

• Coughing up blood

• Voice change or being hoarse

• Feeling tired

• Clubbing of fingernails (unusual rounded appearance)

• Repeated lung diseases such as pneumonia or bronchitis

• Persistent and intense coughing

• Weight loss

If lung cancer spreads to other parts of the body, it may cause:

• Bone pain

• Weakness and numbness in the arms and legs

• Headache, dizziness or seizure

• Jaundice (yellow coloring) of skin and eyes

• Swollen lymph nodes in the neck or shoulder

Contact your oncologist if you believe you may be at risk and/or are experiencing some of the symptoms listed above. Your oncologist will determine your best course of treatment that is best suited for you.

Lung cancer is treated in several ways, which depends on the type of lung cancer and its staging. People with non-small cell lung cancer can be treated with surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, or a combination of these treatments. People with small cell lung cancer are usually treated with radiation therapy and chemotherapy.

• Surgery: People suffering from early-stage cancer will usually undergo surgery to remove the tumor. There are three important types of lung cancer surgeries-
  • Lobectomy: An affected lobe of the lung is removed
  • Pneumonectomy: Here, a lung is removed
  • Wedge Resection:A segment of the affected lung is removed
• Radiotherapy: During the initial stage of lung cancer, it is used to eliminate cancer cells completely. In advanced stages, it aims to slow down the progress of cancer and lessen its symptoms.
• Chemotherapy: Uses special medicines to shrink or kill the cancer cells. The drugs can be pills you take or medicines given in your veins, or sometimes both.
• Targeted Drug Therapy: Interferes with the ways cancer cells function

The majority of lung cancer patients are diagnosed with advanced disease. For these patients, conventional treatment options include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation are unlikely to result in complete cures, although they may significantly improve survival and provide symptom relief.

Odds of survival can greatly improve for people with the most common type of lung cancer if they are given a new drug that activates the immune system along with chemotherapy.

• Stay away from smoking
• Keep away from passive smoking, i.e. stay away from others who smoke. Exposure to smoke is a risk factor for cancer by itself.
• Check your home for radon if you happen to reside at a place where radon is a problem
• Protect yourself from inhaling toxic gases
• Avoid harmful chemical substances
• Eat a healthy balanced diet
• Exercise regularly