Lung cancer: All you need to know about lung cancer

Lung cancer: All you need to know about lung cancer-cancer is a disease in which cells in the body grow out of control. When cancer starts in the lungs, it is called lung cancer. Lung cancer begins in the lungs and may spread to lymph nodes or other organs in the body, such as the brain. Cancer from other organs also may spread to the lungs. When cancer cells spread from one organ to another, they are called metastases.

What is lung cancer?

Lung cancer or cancer of the lung can be defined as a conditions in which the cells making up the lungs begins to multiply abnormally which eventually form a mass in the lungs which is called tumour. Cells are the simple unit of life, in other words, they make up every part of our body and they multiply through division. The tumorous result due to the abnormal division of these cells in the lungs what is known has cancer of the lungs.

Lung cancer types

Lung cancer is divided into two major types based on the appearance of lung cancer cells under the microscope. Your doctor makes treatment decisions based on which major type of lung cancer you have. The two general types of lung cancer include:

Small cell lung cancer. Small cell lung cancer occurs almost exclusively in heavy smokers and is less common than non-small cell lung cancer.

Non-small cell lung cancer. Non-small cell lung cancer is an umbrella term for several types of lung cancers that behave in a similar way. Non-small cell lung cancers include squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma and large cell carcinoma.

Risk factors of lung cancer

A number of factors may increase your risk of lung cancer. Some risk factors can be controlled, for instance, by quitting smoking. And other factors can’t be controlled, such as your family history.

Risk factors for lung cancer include:

Family history of lung cancer-People with a parent, sibling or child with lung cancer have an increased risk of the disease.

Smoking-Your risk of lung cancer increases with the number of cigarettes you smoke each day and the number of years you have smoked. Quitting at any age can significantly lower your risk of developing lung cancer.

Exposure to secondhand smoke-Even if you don’t smoke, your risk of lung cancer increases if you’re exposed to secondhand smoke.

Exposure to radon gas- Radon is produced by the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water that eventually becomes part of the air you breathe. Unsafe levels of radon can accumulate in any building, including homes.

Exposure to asbestos and other carcinogens-Workplace exposure to asbestos and other substances known to cause cancer  such as arsenic, chromium and nickel  also can increase your risk of developing lung cancer, especially if you’re a smoker.

Lung cancer symptoms

Lung cancer symptoms-Lung cancer begins in the lungs and may spread to lymph nodes or other organs in the body, such as the brain. Cancer from other organs also may spread to the lungs. When cancer cells spread from one organ to another, they are called metastases. Find out about possible Lung cancer symptoms. These symptoms could be due to lung cancer but can also be caused by other medical conditions.

Lung cancer symptoms

Cough- suddenly, a chronic smoker has a cough that changes its main characteristics (if it becomes violent, agonizing, more frequent, where the tone changes). A cough that persists over time should be a warning sign for the patient and will need to see your doctor to investigate its origin.

Being short of breath - You might get out of breath doing the things you used to do without a problem.

Coughing up blood -This might be small amounts of blood. You might be coughing up rust coloured phlegm (sputum). Or your sputum might have flecks of red in it. It is more unusual to cough up larger amounts of blood. But see your doctor straight away if this happens.

An ache or pain in the chest or shoulder -You might have pain in your chest or shoulder. It could be a dull ache or a sharper pain.

Loss of appetite - You might have lost your appetite or may not feel like eating foods that you normally like.

Losing weight -You might lose a lot of weight quickly when you are not dieting.

Feeling very tired (fatigue) -You might feel very tired a lot of the time.

Ongoing chest infections -You might have chest infections most of the time. Or you might have a chest infection that doesn’t get better with treatment.

Some types of lung cancer cells produce hormones that go into the bloodstream. These hormones can cause symptoms that don’t seem related to the lung cancer.

Other hormonal syndromes associated with lung cancer are:

• Pins and needles or numbness in the fingers or toes
• Muscle weakness
• Drowsiness,
• Weakness
• Dizziness and confusion
• Breast swelling in men
• Blood clots

Lung cancer stages

Lung cancer stages-there are four stages of lung cancer Once your lung cancer has been diagnosed, your doctor will work to determine the extent stage of your cancer. Your cancer’s stage helps you and your doctor decide what treatment is most appropriate. Keep on reading if you like to know more about Lung cancer stages. After checking out this article, don’t forget to share it on your social media sites to get everyone you care about also acquainted with some of the most important thing they need to know about Lung cancer stages.

Staging tests may include imaging procedures that allow your doctor to look for evidence that cancer has spread beyond your lungs. These tests include CT scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET) and bone scans. Not every test is appropriate for every person, so talk with your doctor about which procedures are right for you.

Stages of lung cancer

Lung cancer is divided into four stages.

Stage I. Cancer is limited to the lung and hasn’t spread to the lymph nodes. The tumor is generally smaller than 2 inches (5 centimetres) across.

Stage II. The tumor at this stage may have grown larger than 2 inches, or it may be a smaller tumor that involves nearby structures, such as the chest wall, the diaphragm or the lining around the lungs (pleura). Cancer may also have spread to the nearby lymph nodes.

Stage III. The tumor at this stage may have grown very large and invaded other organs near the lungs. Or this stage may indicate a smaller tumor accompanied by cancer cells in lymph nodes farther away from the lungs.

Stage IV. Cancer has spread beyond the affected lung to the other lung or to distant areas of the body. Small cell lung cancer is sometimes described as being limited or extensive. Limited indicates cancer is limited to one lung. Extensive indicates cancer has spread beyond the one lung.

Lung cancer diagnosis

Lung cancer can be diagnosed by doctor in so many ways such as the use of:

• Bronchoscopy
• Needle biopsy
• Chest X ray
• CT-Scan
• Through a person’s History and physical extermination,
• MRI
• PET
• Sputum Analysis or cytology
• Bone Scan
• Some Major Surgical procedures
• Thoracentesis
• Blood test

Your doctor will be in the best of position to determine the kind of diagnoses that he would use.

Lung cancer treatment

Treatment options for lung cancer include the following:

 Surgery

 Radiation

Chemotherapy

Prophylactic brain radiation

Treatment of recurrence

Targeted therapy

Photodynamic therapy

 Radio frequency ablation

Experimental therapies

These treatment options are mainly used and done by the doctor, but after confirmation that the cancer has reached a certain stage or level. For example, a surgery may be needed if the cancer cells have not become too invasive and they are manageable or the tumor is still at its young stage and can be easily removed from the affected area. Stage 1 and 2 or limited-stage, surgery may be carried out by the surgeon. So therefore, it is very important for your doctor to know the stages discussed before treatment options are rolled out.

Lung cancer prevention

Lung cancer prevention-When it comes to the prevention of lung cancer, there certain thing that you are to take note in order to become served from lung cancer. There is no sure way to prevent lung cancer, but you can reduce your risk if you:

Stop smoking

Quitting reduces your risk of lung cancer, even if you’ve smoked for years. Talk to your doctor about strategies and stop-smoking aids that can help you quit. Options include nicotine replacement products, medications and support groups.

Eat a diet full of fruits and vegetables

 Choose a healthy diet with a variety of fruits and vegetables. Food sources of vitamins and nutrients are best. Avoid taking large doses of vitamins in pill form, as they may be harmful. For instance, researchers hoping to reduce the risk of lung cancer in heavy smokers gave them beta carotene supplements. Results showed the supplements actually increased the risk of cancer in smokers.

Avoid secondhand smoke

 If you live or work with a smoker, urge him or her to quit. At the very least, ask him or her to smoke outside. Avoid areas where people smoke, such as bars and restaurants, and seek out smoke-free options.

Don’t smoke

 If you’ve never smoked, don’t start. Talk to your children about not smoking so that they can understand how to avoid this major risk factor for lung cancer. Begin conversations about the dangers of smoking with your children early so that they know how to react to peer pressure.

Test your home for radon

Have the radon levels in your home checked, especially if you live in an area where radon is known to be a problem. High radon levels can be remedied to make your home safer. For information on radon testing, contact your local department of public health or a local chapter of the American Lung Association.

Avoid carcinogens at work

 Take precautions to protect yourself from exposure to toxic chemicals at work. Follow your employer’s precautions. For instance, if you’re given a face mask for protection, always wear it. Ask your doctor what more you can do to protect yourself at work. Your risk of lung damage from workplace carcinogens increases if you smoke.

Exercise most days of the week

 If you don’t exercise regularly, start out slowly. Try to exercise most days of the week.