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Lung Cancer - Causes, Treatments, and Prevention

Lung cancer starts in the cells that line lungs. It can also spread to other areas. The primary treatment options are chemotherapy, surgery and radiation therapy.

The majority of lung cancer treatments do not cure the cancer however, they can help to keep it under control. Your doctor may suggest chemotherapy, radiation therapy or another treatment depending on the degree and type of the cancer in your lung.

What is lung cancer?

Cancer occurs when cells multiply out of control and create tumors that are then spread throughout the body. Lung cancer begins in the lungs and can then spread to the chest or other regions of the body. There are two types of lung cancer the non-small cells lung cancer (NSCLC), and small cell lung tumors (SCLC).

NSCLC accounts for between 80 and 85 percent all lung cancer risk cancer cases. It grows slower than SCLC and does not typically produce symptoms until the early stages. NSCLC is further divided based on epithelial cell type, including squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. Other less well-known types include Adenosquamous Cancer and Adenocarcinoma.

Some people develop a rare form of NSCLC that starts in the cells that line the passages of the lungs called bronchioles. Another uncommon type of NSCLC called pulmonary adenocarcinoma is found in the linings of the lungs' mediastinum.

Smoking tobacco is usually the cause of SCLC, which is responsible for 15 percent of lung cancers. It can grow to other parts of the body and grows faster than NSCLC. This type of cancer could cause fluid to build up in the chest cavity around the lungs (pleural effusion). Depending on the stage of lung cancer asbestosis cancer, treatment options differ.

What causes lung cancer?

The lung are a series of cone-shaped organs within the chest. They draw oxygen into the body as you breathe in, and release carbon dioxide when you breathe out. Each lung is made up of tiny air sacs called alveoli, and tubes known as bronchi. It is possible to increase the risk of developing lung cancer smoking cigarettes, cigars, or pipes or being exposed secondhand smoke. Other risk for lung cancer factors include having an ancestral history of lung cancer or other types of cancer, suffering from an infection like pneumonia, being diagnosed with an emphysema-related condition, or having a medical condition such as chronic obstructive respiratory disease (COPD).

Lung cancer typically begins in the bronchioles, the small airways that deliver oxygen to the rest of the body. Non-smokers may develop lung cancer however, it's much less frequent than for smokers. Daniel Boffa, a Yale Medicine thoracic surgeon, says that when nonsmokers develop lung cancer, the cancer is more likely to occur in the outer parts of the lungs, within cells that produce mucus, or in the linings of small airways of the lung. It can also start in the pleura, a thin membrane that covers the exterior of each lung and lines the chest's inner cavity.

Doctors use several tests to diagnose lung cancer and determine whether it has spread inside the lungs or spread to other parts of the body. These tests include a physical examination and imaging tests, such as CT scans, CT scan, MRIs, and bloodwork such as a complete blood counts (CBC) or an analysis of the blood chemistry. It is a laboratory technique that uses special methods to detect specific changes in chromosomes and genes in certain kinds of lung cancer.

What are the signs?

The lungs can be affected by a variety of kinds of cancer. The two most commonly encountered are non-small cell lung cancer occupational cancer and small cell lung cancer. More than 80% of lung cancers are non-small cell tumors. It can start in the lungs, or can spread to another part of the body (metastasis). Non-small cell carcinoma encompasses a variety of types of tumors like the adenocarcinoma-squamous cells carcinoma as well as the adenosquamous carcinoma. Small cell cancer, on the other hand is rarer and usually starts in the outer layer of cells that line the lungs. It can also extend to the brain as well as the bones.

Early lung cancer symptoms aren't always present. If it does, the most frequent are chest pain and coughing. Other signs include trouble breathing, fatigue, and weight loss. These symptoms can also be triggered by other illnesses, so it's essential to talk to your health professional when you experience them.

Most types of lung cancer can be treated. They can be used in isolation or in combination. The best treatment will depend on the stage and type of cancer. Newer treatments may also aid those suffering from lung cancer live longer. For instance, immunotherapy may help control the growth of tumors.

What are the treatment options available for lung cancer?

Treatments for lung cancer lung cancer aims to eliminate the cancer or stop it from growing or spreading. Radiotherapy, surgery, and chemotherapy are all options individually or in combination. Some treatments also help alleviate symptoms and improve your quality of life.

Your doctor will determine the most effective treatment plan for you according to the nature and location of the lung cancer. Surgery may be the first option to treat early and locally advanced non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC). Surgery may be combined with radiotherapy and chemotherapy for advanced NSCLC. For small tumors, a procedure known as stereotactic radiation therapy can be used instead of surgery.

Some people with NSCLC might have mutations that make their cancer grow. These cancers can be treated with targeted cancer drugs such as Osimertinib as well as alectinib.

Other types of cancer, like mesothelioma, sarcomas and sarcom in different areas of your body but can grow to the lungs. These cancers are more difficult to treat than NSCLC.

Your doctor may suggest palliative treatment in the event that the cancer in your lung has spread to other parts of your body, like the brain. These treatments can ease discomfort as well as other symptoms, such as breathing problems or weight gain. They may include medications or diet and exercise adjustments techniques for relaxation, emotional and spiritual support, and many other therapies.