Lung Cancer: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment

Lung cancer is among the most prevalent causes of death due to cancer worldwide and is often diagnosed at an advanced stage due to insignificant or delayed signs. It is a result of the lungs, which are organs that are responsible for oxygenating blood. It typically begins within the airways’ cells. Recognizing the risks of lung cancer indicators, signs, diagnosis techniques, and treatment options is essential for early detection and better results.

What is Lung Cancer?

Lung cancer develops when the lung cells begin to multiply rapidly and uncontrollably. The abnormal cells may form cancerous tumors that can impair the function of the lungs. In the majority of cases, it starts within the alveoli or bronchi. It can also be spread (metastasized) into other organs by the lymphatic system or through the bloodstream.

Lung Anatomy

In order to understand the process by which lung cancer grows and expands, it’s beneficial to be aware of the structure of the lung. Every lung is split into lobes, three on the right and two on the left. The air enters the mouth or nose and then flows through the trachea, and is directed to each lung via the bronchi. The bronchi split into smaller bronchioles and then finish in alveoli, which are tiny sacs within which oxygen is exchanged with carbon dioxide.

The lungs are surrounded by a thin, transparent membrane known as the pleura. It is also a part of the chest cavity. It also helps to move the lungs easily during breathing.

Types of Lung Cancer

Lung cancer can be classified into two primary kinds based on the look of cancerous cells when examined in a microscope.

1. Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)

Accounting for around 85 percent of lung cancers, NSCLC is the most frequent kind. It is a little slower growing than lung cancer with small cells and offers better outcomes for treatment. Subtypes are:

Adenocarcinoma is Common in non-smokers and females.
Squamous Cell Cancer is often linked to smoking.
Large Cell Carcinoma It tends to expand and spread fast.

2. Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC)

With 15% being the most common lung cancers, SCLC tends to be the most aggressive, generally resulting from smoking, and more likely to grow rapidly. Most often, it begins from the chest’s center and is usually detected at an advanced stage.

Causes and Risk Factors

Lung cancer may develop as a result of genetic or environmental elements. Some of the most risky factors comprise:

Nicotine smoking (active as well as passive) is the leading cause of lung cancer.
Smoke exposure to secondhand smoke
Environmental Toxins include asbestos, radon, arsenic, and chromium.
Air pollution
Exposure to radiation, including prior cancer treatment with radiation.
A genetic predisposition The family experience with lung cancer raises the chances of developing it.
HIV infection – Weakens immune response, increasing vulnerability.

Although smoking is the top risk factor, lung cancer in non-smokers–particularly women–is on the rise due to environmental and occupational exposure.

Symptoms of Lung Cancer

The symptoms of lung cancer can be obscure and may resemble common respiratory diseases like bronchitis and pneumonia. Most often, early-stage lung cancer produces no symptoms.

Common signs include:

Consistent cough that gets worse over the course of
Sputum that is rusty or bloody Sputum
Breathing shortness
Shoulder, chest, or back discomfort in the back, shoulder, or chest.
The hoarseness, wheezing, or aural ring
Unexplained weight loss
A loss of appetite
A constant state of fatigue or weakness
Infections that are recurring (pneumonia or bronchitis)
The face may be swelling, or the neck
Clubbing (widening of the fingers and nailbeds)

Symptoms of Advanced/Metastatic Lung Cancer:

If cancer progresses to different organs, the additional signs and symptoms could include:

Pain in the bones
Headaches, dizziness, or seizures
jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin)
The weakness or feeling of numbness can be felt in the legs or arms
Trouble walking or balance issues
Larger lymph nodes

Note: The symptoms listed above are not exclusively related to lung cancer and can be indicative of other medical conditions. A prompt evaluation is crucial.

Molecular & Cellular Diagnosis

Molecular Diagnosis

Diagnostic tests for lung cancer in the modern era typically comprise molecular profilers and identify particular genetic mutations or proteins. The most frequent mutations are:

EGFR
ALK
KRAS
ROS1

The identification of these genetic mutations helps to tailor specifically targeted treatments to improve treatment effectiveness and decrease side consequences.

Cellular Diagnosis

The diagnosis is usually based on the type of cancer cells–NSCLC or SCLC based on the results of a biopsy. The classification is still used to guide the treatment options, which include treatment options such as chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation.

How Lung Cancer Spreads

Lung cancer can:

Invade adjacent organs and tissue and organs, causing impairment to lung function.
It travels through the lymphatic system and reaches lymph nodes.
In the bloodstream, it spreads into distant organs such as the brain, the liver, or bone.

When cancer has spread beyond the lungs, it’s called Stage IV or metastatic lung cancer. It is interesting to note that even when cancer has been able to spread to the liver, it’s still considered lung cancer and not liver cancer.

Lung Metastases vs. Primary Lung Cancer

In some cases, cancer that begins within a different area of the body can spread into the lungs. This is known as lung metastasis but isn’t like primary lung cancer. In the case of breast cancer develops and spreads to the lungs, it is metastasizing breast cancer but not lung cancer.

Diagnosis: How Is Lung Cancer Detected?

Early Detection and Screening

As early-stage lung cancers are usually not symptomatic, frequent dose CT examinations (LDCT) are recommended for high-risk patients, including smokers with a history of lung cancer older than 50 years old.

Diagnostic Tests Include:

Chest X-ray – Finds abnormalities in masses or liquids.
PET or CT scan: The scan provides clear images of the lungs, as well as various organs.
The MRI scan is used to detect tumors in the spinal cord or brain.

If an imaging scan reveals areas that are suspicious that are not normal, it is necessary to take a biopsy will be required.

Types of Biopsies:

Needle Biopsy (CT-guided) A needle removes liquid or cells.
A Bronchoscopy Camera tube is used to observe and take samples of the airways.
Endobronchial Ultrasound (EBUS) – Combines the bronchoscopy procedure with ultrasound for a clear view of lymph nodes.
Thoracentesis is a procedure to remove fluid around the lungs.
VATS (Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery) – A minimally invasive method to reach difficult-to-reach cancers.
Thoracoscopy, as well as Pleuroscopy, Utilizes tiny cameras that are inserted into the wall of your chest.

The tests can help identify the Stage that lung cancer is in and help in helping to plan treatment.

Stages of Lung Cancer

The term staging refers to how much the cancer spreads:

Stage 1 A cancerous tumor is restricted to a single lung.
Stage 2 Stage II: The cancer has spread to adjacent lymph nodes.
3rd Stage A cancer that affects lymph nodes. It could also cause lung damage to the adjacent lung.
Stage IV cancer has spread to distant organs (e.g., the brain, the liver, and bone).

Treatment Options

Lung cancer treatment depends on:

The sort (NSCLC or SCLC)
It is the Stage at which it develops.
The overall health of the patient and their molecular profiling

Common Treatments:

Surgery – Removing tumors. This is especially beneficial for NSCLC in its early Stages.
- Lobectomy removal of a lung one lobe.
Radiotherapy Therapy is a treatment that targets and eliminates cancer cells by using high-energy beams.
Chemotherapy Utilizes medications to eliminate cancer cells growing rapidly, typically used for SCLC or advanced NSCLC.
Targeted therapy is designed to fight particular genetic variants (e.g., EGFR, ALK).
Immunotherapy helps the immune system identify and destroy cancerous cells.
Palliative care The goal is to alleviate discomfort and improve the health and quality of life when cancer is in its final Stage.

Can Lung Cancer Be Inherited?

In rare instances, it is possible that lung cancer can occur due to inheritable genetic changes. Anyone with a significant family history of lung cancer should look into Genetic counseling and tests, particularly if they are diagnosed at a younger age or those who have no prior previous history of smoking.

Lung Cancer Statistics

Lung cancer, also known as lung cancer, is the second-most frequent cancer and is the primary cause of cancer-related death for both men and women across the U.S.
More than 230,000 patients are diagnosed each year.
5-year life expectancy is 22 percent. However, early detection significantly improves the outcome.
A growing number of smokers, not especially women, are being identified.

Final Thoughts

Lung cancer can be a devastating and deadly disease; nevertheless, advancements in molecular tests, targeted treatments, and earlier detection methods offer some hope. Being aware of the signs early and identifying your risks can save your life. Should you be at risk of suffering from symptoms, speak to your physician and think about the possibility of screening.

FAQs

Q1. Can non-smokers get lung cancer?
Yes, non-smokers can develop lung cancer due to exposure to radon, second-hand smoke, air pollution, or inherited genetic mutations.

Q2. What is the most common type of lung cancer?
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common, accounting for about 85% of all cases.

Q3. Is lung cancer curable?
Lung cancer caught early (Stage I or II) has a higher chance of being cured, especially with surgery and/or radiation. Advanced cases can be managed with modern treatments but are rarely curable.

Q4. What’s the best test to detect lung cancer early?
Low-dose CT (LDCT) scans are recommended for high-risk individuals and are effective in early detection.

Q5. How can I reduce my risk of lung cancer?
Avoid smoking, minimize exposure to second-hand smoke, test your home for radon, and reduce exposure to environmental pollutants.