According to recent studies, lung cancer is the most common cancer in the world. It is the second most common cancer among men and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths (among men) in our country. While smoking is one of the major risk factors for the development of lung cancer, non-smokers and passive smokers are also known to develop the condition. The two main types of lung cancer are small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Lung cancer often goes unreported in the early stages making treatment more difficult as it tends to spread to other parts of the body as the disease progresses. This makes it very important to understand lung cancer symptoms and treatment options.
Early signs of Lung Cancer
Many patients do not exhibit significant signs and symptoms of lung cancer during the early stages. There may be some warning signs, though. These include –
A persistent cough that does not go away in a week or two. It is important to contact a doctor if a cough lingers beyond a fortnight or gets progressively worse. The cough may or may not be accompanied by phlegm. Bloody phlegm is a definite warning sign.
Lung cancer is often accompanied by shortness of breath or a change in breathing patterns (wheezing etc.). If you are a smoker and are out of breath quite easily, it is important to consult a doctor.
Look out for pain in the chest region. This may be intermittent and dull or even sharp and constant but any pain in the chest region must be assessed by a medical practitioner. The pain could become worse when you laugh, cough, or even take a deep breath.
Persistent hoarseness or change of voice is another warning sign that must not be ignored, particularly if you are a smoker. If a malignant tumour of the lung affects the nerves connected to the larynx, it may cause hoarseness of the voice.
Like all other types of cancer, extreme weakness and fatigue are also warning signs of lung cancer. This is often accompanied by unusual weight loss and lack of appetite.
Diagnosis and Treatment Options
Diagnosis of lung cancer is achieved by a combination of diagnostic procedures such as X-ray, CT scans, and MRI. In some cases, a lung biopsy may also be necessary. A small amount of lung tissue is removed at the lung hospital in Hyderabad and examined under a microscope. A biopsy may be performed through a bronchoscopy, liquid biopsy, or needle biopsy.
Some of the standard treatment options recommended for lung cancer include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation.
Prevention of lung cancer is much easier, given the complications of the treatment. If you are a regular smoker, it is best to seek a doctor’s help in quitting. Reducing exposure to second-hand smoke and high levels of pollution helps too.
A Complete Guide to Liver Cancer Risk Factors and Prevention
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
Importance of early detection and screening in oral cancer
Oral cancer is a type of cancer which falls in the category of head and neck cancer (HNC). It comprises diverse tumour types arising from different an...
Breast cancer is one of the most common cancer types in the world. The prevalence of breast cancer is estimated to get tripled by the year 2030, studi...
Breast Cancer VS Breast Cyst: How Are The Two Different
According to recent statistics, breast cancer accounts for about 14 percent of all cancers affecting women in India, making it the most common type of...
Bladder Cancer Treatment: Here’s All You Need To Know
The bladder is a hollow muscular sac that stores and collects urine from the kidneys before disposal from our body. In humans, the bladder sits on the...
Breast Cancer: Signs, Symptoms, Types, Stages, Diagnosis and Treatment
Of all types of cancer, breast cancer is the most commonly found cancer in women. It is the second most common cancer in women worldwide. Reportedly, ...
Breast cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the breast. It can start in one or both breasts. Cancer starts when cells begin to grow out of contro...
Oral cancer is a type of cancer that can affect the mouth, throat, tongue, and lips. While there is no one specific diet that can prevent oral cancer,...
Kidney cancer, also known as renal cancer or also called renal adenocarcinoma, or hypernephroma, is a type of cancer that begins developing in the kid...
Benefits and Risks of Cancer Drugs – Clearing myths about chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is a type of cancer treatment where medicine is used to kill cancer cells. There are many different types of chemotherapy medicine used f...
Chemotherapy and immunotherapy are two different types of therapies used for the treatment of cancer. In these cancer treatments, different types of d...
Prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancer among male patients all around the world. It is the second-most reason that leads to death i...
A condition known as Colorectal Cancer (also known as Colon Cancer) occurs when cells in the Colon or Rectum grow out of control. The Colon is conside...
A cancer diagnosis and treatment is a life-altering experience for patients. Cancer can affect any part of the body and can be life-threatening as wel...
Pregnancy and Breast cancer: What happens to my baby if I have breast cancer?
Breast Cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting women worldwide. As per the statistics released by the World Health Organisation. Breast can...
COMMANDO (expanded as Combined Mandibulectomy and Neck Dissection Operation) is a surgical procedure done to remove the primary tumour surrounding the...
Pancreatic Cancer: Types, Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment
Pancreatic cancer occurs in the tissues of the pancreas which is located behind the stomach. It usually occurs when the genetic mutation leads to the ...
Immunotherapy is a new form of treatment for managing cancer. This therapy works by improving the function of the immune system. In immunotherapy, doc...
Getting a breast cancer diagnosis can be a devastating moment for most. What is even more dreadful is the number of misconceptions that are rampant on...
The term blood cancer evokes fear and it continues to be one of the most serious types of cancers to affect humans. Around 1.24 million people suffer ...