What is Lung Cancer?

This disease is responsible for causing the highest number of deaths across the world. It is also known as Lung Tumor/ Lung Carcinoma or Cancer of Lungs. This disease gets detected in advanced stages because the symptoms are not visible in the early stages. The treatment options in this stage become minimal, and the symptoms of the disease can be reduced in advanced stages. Smoking is the primary reason for causing the majority of lung cancer cases across the world. Any person who is at high risk of getting detected with this disease, gets the tests done. There are chances of early detection and the survival rate will also be high. Lung cancer is of different types. The treatment options for curing this disease depend on the stage and type of cancer.

Basic facts to be known about Lung cancer

● About 24,80,675 cases of lung cancer were reported in 2022 across the world.
● India recorded 81,748 cases of lung cancer in 2022. Around 58,970 men were diagnosed with this disease whereas 22,778 women were affected.
● Lung cancer caused 18,17,469 deaths worldwide in 2022. Around 75,031 deaths were documented in India.
● Around 85% of lung cancers are caused due to smoking.

Signs and symptoms of Lung Cancer

Symptoms are usually observed in early advanced or advanced stages. The signs of this disease become noticeable to the patient and the doctor. Moreover, the symptoms can only be felt by the patient. The symptoms in the early stages are so mild which results in delayed detection of this disease. Consult your doctor if any of these symptoms appear:

● feeling difficult to swallow anything
● continuous cough that does not go away
● Blood coming in cough
● headache
● difficulty breathing
● Not having the urge to eat
● feeling tired most of the time
● frequent chest pain
● losing weight continuously without a known reason
● recurring chest infection

Factors causing Lung Cancer

There are many reasons which are responsible for causing lung cancer. These factors can be internal, external, or genetic changes. Some factors are mentioned below:

● History of lung diseases: There are chances of developing lung cancer if you have a history of lung diseases in the past.
● Smoking: The person who is a chronic smoker elevates the risk of getting diagnosed with lung cancer. It is always advisable to quit smoking to prevent such life-threatening diseases.
● Getting exposed to chemical/hazardous gases: The presence of harmful gases in the workplace develops the risk of getting diagnosed with lung cancer. Gases such as asbestos, radon, and other carcinogens are present at an unsafe level. They can be the leading cause of lung cancer among people who do not smoke.
● Passive smoking: Coming in contact with the place where people are smoking increases the risk of developing cancer. Secondhand smoke is equally harmful.
● Air pollution: The rate of air pollution is quite high in metropolitan cities. It is the result of vehicles, construction sites, and industrial emissions of harmful gases. These factors are responsible for diseases like asthma and lung cancer.
● Gender: The male population is more prone to lung cancer as compared to females. Lifestyle can be one of the reasons cancer is diagnosed more in the male population.
● Family history: If any person in the family has a history of lung cancer, it increases the risk of developing this disease in future generations.

Types of Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is a term that shows the presence of uneven cell growth in an uncontrollable way. Moreover, lung cancer is of different types, which include:

● Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): This is the most common type of lung cancer found in people diagnosed with the disease. Adenocarcinoma and Squamous cell carcinoma are the two kinds of NSCLC that are found majorly. Whereas sarcomatoid carcinoma and adenosquamous carcinoma are the less found ones.
● Small cell lung cancer (SCLC): This kind of cancer multiplies very fast. It is very difficult to treat SCLC as compared to NSLC. It is commonly found in people who are chronic smokers. This disease is detected when the cancer cells have already spread to other body parts.

Stages of Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is categorized into different stages. These stages decide whether the disease will be completely treated and how much time is left with the patient. Doctors prescribe the treatment options based on the stage of the cancer.
STAGE 0: Cancer cells are present on the topmost layer of the lung. They are present only on that layer and have not started spreading to other parts of the lung.
STAGE 1: It is considered the early stage of cancer. In this stage, the cancer cells have not spread to other parts of the body. The survival rate is high in this stage.
STAGE 2: The size of the tumor has grown bigger as compared to stage 1. The cancer cells have started spreading to the lymph nodes. But they have spread to other parts of the lungs or outside the lungs. There are chances that more than 1 tumor will be present on the same lobe.
STAGE 3: In this stage, the size of the cancer has grown bigger than in stage 2. It has escalated to the lymph nodes and other parts of the body. The available treatment options are chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery, and immunotherapy. The survival rate may vary in this stage due to factors like age and health conditions.
STAGE 4: Cancer has spread to other parts of the body such as the brain, liver, lymph nodes, and bones. It is also termed as metastatic lung cancer. The disease cannot be cured in this stage, only the growth of cancer cells can be prevented. This results in increasing the survival rate of the patient.

Methods used in the detection of Lung Cancer

Doctors suggest several tests for diagnosing lung cancer. These tests are performed in a series to confirm the presence of the disease. The stage of the disease, whether it's early or advanced can also be detected.The treatment is provided to the patient based on the stage of the disease. These tests include:
● Imaging tests: These include chest X-ray, CT scan, and PET scan.All these tests provide images that provide the size and exact location of the cancer.
● Biopsy: A tissue is taken from the place where the growth of cancer cells is detected. There are several types of biopsy performed as per the doctor's suggestion.
● Sputum Cytology: A sample of mucus is taken from the lungs and is examined with the help of a microscope. This shows us the presence of cancer cell growth in the lungs.
● Blood tests (CTC): These tests are used to check the overall health of the patient. These are the basic tests performed in case of diagnosis of any disease.
● Breathing test: This test confirms that the lungs are working properly.

Ways to prevent Lung Cancer

A person can take several steps to reduce the risk of lung cancer.It is challenging to determine the exact cause of this disease in some cases. These steps include:

● Consuming a healthy diet: The food we eat should include all the macros and micronutrients to have a strong and fit body. If a person has a good immune system, then he can fight life-threatening diseases. Take supplements under a doctor's prescription to improve the overall health. Consume foods that have anticancer properties.
● Avoiding contact with harmful gases: If you are working in an environment where you are exposed to harmful gases such as asbestos or radon, follow all the safety measures. Consult the doctor to prevent the risk of cancer in workplaces. Additionally, check for the presence of radon in your home if you're living in an area with a history of radon gas. Contact the municipal department in such cases to confirm the presence of harmful gases.
● Avoid chronic smoking: Smoking is harmful whether you do it occasionally or for a long term. It can result in serious disease which can even take your life. The amount of chemical inhalation in 1 cigarette is so high and toxic for the human body. People who smoke are always at high risk of getting diagnosed with lung cancer. Take the help of your support groups, family, or healthcare experts to reduce smoking addiction.
● Passive smoking: Keep yourself away from passive smoking. Any person near you is smoking, also increases the risk of you getting detected with the disease. Always motivate the person in your family who is a frequent smoker to quit smoking.

Treatment methods for Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is treated using different types of therapies. The stage of the cancer decides the type of treatment for the patient. It is detected by performing different types of body tests. It becomes easy for doctors to suggest treatment after knowing about the stage of the disease.Early stage indicates that cancer cells are present only in the lungs and this stage can be treated. In advanced stages of lung cancer, the cancer cells have spread to other parts of the body. The doctor decides the type of treatment considering the age, health condition, and medical history of the patient. The treatment options available are as follows:

● Surgery: It can be performed in the early stages as the cancer cells are restricted to the lungs. The infected cells are removed while performing the surgery.

● Chemotherapy: Medicines are prescribed for killing the cancer cells. These medicines are also given in combination with other drugs for better and faster results. Always discuss with your doctor the risks and benefits associated with the medicine. Tagrisso (Osimertinib 80mg), Lumakras (Sotorasib 120mg), and Retevmo (Selpercatinib 80mg) are the commonly prescribed medicines for treating non-small cell lung cancer. These medicines are available on Magicine Pharma at reasonable prices.

● Targeted drug therapy: Abnormal cells are the primary target in this treatment. The medicines prescribed in this therapy target the abnormalities present in the cancer cells. It reduces the tumor size by killing the cancer cells.

● Immunotherapy: This treatment works by interrupting the procedure of hiding the cancer cells. It helps the immune system to identify the uneven cells and kill them. This therapy is suggested in advanced stages of lung cancer where cancer cells have spread to other parts of the body.

● Radiation Therapy: High-intensity energy is used to kill the cancer cells. This therapy may result in some side effects that patients may feel difficult to handle. Always consult your doctor in such cases to deal with the side effects smoothly.

FAQ's

1. How many people get diagnosed with lung cancer?

According to the American Cancer Society, the chances of the probability of a man developing this disease is about 1 in 16, whereas in women it's 1 in 17.

2. What is the survival rate after getting diagnosed with lung cancer?

As per the latest report published by Cancer Research UK, out of 100 people, 45 will survive for 1 year or more. Around 20 people will survive out of 100 for 5 years or more.

3. Is it possible to cure lung cancer completely?

No, it is not possible to cure this disease 100%. With proper care and good treatment, a person can live a normal life.

4. How many people get diagnosed with lung cancer in India?

Around 81,748 people were diagnosed with lung cancer in 2022.

5. Which stage of lung cancer can take your life?

Stage 4 lung cancer is impossible to treat. Treatments like chemotherapy and radiation therapy can reduce the symptoms. These treatments help you live a little longer.

References

https://www.wcrf.org/preventing-cancer/cancer-statistics/lung-cancer-statistics/
https://www.who.int/newsroom/factsheets/detail/lungcancer?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA9IC6BhA3EiwAsbltOICLZD4gNU3W8LyVHYqPJqH_69ysyWnol-U3u3b91iNTkMKvFmruAhoCFlgQAvD_BwE
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7614604/
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/lung-cancer.html
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/lung-cancer/about/key-statistics.html
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/lungcancer/about/keystatistics.html#:~:text=Overall%2C%20the%20chance%20that%20a,t%2C%20the%20risk%20is%20lower
https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/aboutcancer/lungcancer/survival#:~:text=Survival%20for%20all%20stages%20of%20lung%20cancer&text=45%20out%20of%20every%20100,for%2010%20years%20or%20more

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tagrisso