Lung cancer is cancer that forms in tissues of the lung, usually in the cells that line the air passages. It is the primary cause of cancer-related mortality in both genders. There are two main types such as small-cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer. These two varieties receive different care and flourish in various ways. The most prevalent kind is non-small cell lung cancer. Lung cancer, one of the most common and lethal types of cancer globally, is still a strong foe in the field of medicine. It is characterized by the unregulated growth of abnormal cells in the lungs and poses a complex challenge to patients and medical staff equally.
While smoking remains a primary risk factor, there’s a growing recognition of other contributors, including exposure to environmental pollutants and genetic predispositions. Symptoms often manifest in later stages, complicating early detection and treatment. However, there are signs of hope due to research and medical technology breakthroughs, as novel therapies including immunotherapy and tailored treatments are demonstrating encouraging outcomes.
The guidance provided by Dr. Sheetu Singh regarding lung cancer embodies a shining example of knowledge and kindness in the cancer community. She is a trustworthy guide for people going through this difficult path because of her persistent commitment to patient care and her deep awareness of the complications of lung cancer. Through meticulous diagnosis, personalized treatment plans, and ongoing support, Dr. Sheetu empowers her patients to confront lung cancer with resilience and hope. Her all-encompassing strategy includes holistic methods as well as medical procedures to enhance quality of life and encourage healing.
Who is at Risk For Lung Cancer?
Lung cancer can affect anyone, but certain factors raise your risk of getting it:
- Smoking: The primary risk factor for lung cancer is this. Approximately 90% of lung cancer cases in men and 80% of lung cancer cases in women are caused by tobacco smoking. Your chance of developing lung cancer increases with the time you smoke, the amount of cigarettes you smoke each day, and the age at which you first start smoking. The risk is also greater if you smoke a lot and drink alcohol every day or take beta-carotene supplements.
- Secondhand Smoke refers to the combination of smoke exhaled by a smoker and smoke from cigarettes. You are exposed to the same toxins when you inhale it but in smaller doses than smokers.
- Family history of lung cancer.
- Being exposed to Arsenic, Asbestos, Beryllium, Chromium, Soot, Nickel, or tar in the workplace.
- Being exposed to radiation, such as from
- Radon in the home or workplace.
- Radiation therapy to the breast or chest
- Certain imaging tests such as CT scans.
- HIV Infection.
- Air Pollution.
What are the Symptoms of Lung Cancer?
Sometimes there are no symptoms or indicators of lung cancer. It might be discovered during a chest x-ray performed to treat another illness.
- Chest pain or discomfort.
- Trouble Breathing.
- A persistent cough that becomes worse with time.
- Blood in sputum (mucus coughed up from the lungs).
- Wheezing.
- Loss of Appetite.
- Hoarseness.
- Fatigue.
- Weight loss for no known reason.
- Trouble Swallowing.
- Swelling in the face, or veins in the neck.
Causes of Lung Cancer
Most lung cancers are caused by smoking, both in smokers and in those who are exposed to secondhand smoke. But lung cancer can also strike those who have never smoked and those who have never been around secondhand smoke for an extended period. In these cases, there may be no clear cause of lung cancer.
How Smoking Causes Lung Cancer
Dr. Sheetu Singh believes smoking causes lung cancer by damaging the cells that line the lungs. The inhalation of cigarette smoke, a mixture of chemicals known as Carcinogens that cause cancer, causes rapid alterations in the lung tissue. At first, your body may be able to repair this damage. However, the normal cells lining your lungs sustain more harm with each exposure. Over time, the damage causes cells to act abnormally, and eventually, cancer may develop.
How is Lung Cancer Diagnosed?
Your physician may diagnose you using a variety of methods, including:
- A health background that includes inquiring about your symptoms.
- A family history.
- A physical exam.
- Imaging tests, such as chest CT scan, or chest X-ray.
- laboratory examinations, such as blood and sputum tests
- A biopsy of the lung.
Your healthcare practitioner will perform additional tests to determine the extent of lung cancer metastases, including lymph nodes and the body as a whole. This is called staging. Your provider can choose the best course of therapy for you based on the kind and stage of your lung cancer.
When To Do EBUS Bronchoscopy?
When considering an Endobronchial Ultrasound (EBUS) bronchoscopy, timing is crucial. EBUS bronchoscopy is typically recommended in several clinical scenarios. First, it’s used to diagnose lung cancer, especially when imaging investigations such as CT scans reveal a lesion, and a tissue biopsy is required to confirm the malignancy. Furthermore, diagnosing lung cancer, estimating prognosis, figuring out how far the illness has progressed to neighboring lymph nodes, and helping with treatment planning are all done with EBUS bronchoscopy. Moreover, it’s valuable for evaluating other conditions such as Tuberculosis, Sarcoidosis, and infections. The patient’s clinical presentation, the results of their imaging tests, and the overall treatment plan that their medical team has developed will ultimately determine when to perform an EBUS bronchoscopy. Early intervention with EBUS bronchoscopy can provide timely and accurate diagnoses, guiding appropriate treatment strategies and improving patient outcomes. So, to ascertain the best time for this treatment depending on specific conditions, you must speak with a medical specialist.
What are the Treatments For Lung Cancer?
The majority of lung cancer patients do not receive a cure with existing treatments. The type of lung cancer you have, the extent of its spread, your general health, and other variables will all affect your course of therapy. You may get more than one type of treatment. The treatment for small cell lung cancer includes:
- Chemotherapy.
- Surgery.
- Immunotherapy.
- Radiation therapy.
- Laser therapy, which uses a laser beam to kill cancer cells.
- Endoscopic Stent Placement. An endoscope is a tiny, tube-shaped device used for inside-body tissue examination. It may be used to put in a device called a stent. An airway obstructed by aberrant tissue can be helped to open by the stent.
The treatments for non-small cell lung cancer include:
- Surgery.
- Radiation therapy.
- Targeted therapy, uses medications or other agents that target particular cancer cells while causing the least amount of damage to healthy cells.
- Immunotherapy.
- Laser therapy.
- Photodynamic therapy (PDT), kills cancer cells by using a medication and a specific kind of laser light.
- Cryosurgery uses an instrument to freeze and destroy abnormal tissue.
- Electrocautery is a procedure that destroys aberrant tissue by heating a probe or needle with an electric current.
Can Lung Cancer Be Prevented?
Lung cancer may be prevented by avoiding the following risk factors:
- Quitting smoking: If you don’t smoke, don’t start.
- Reducing your exposure to dangerous materials at work.
- Lower your exposure to Radon. High radon levels in your house can be determined via radon tests. Alternatively, you can pay an expert to perform the test or purchase a test kit yourself.
FAQs
What is lung cancer?
Lung cancer is the term for cancer that originates in the lungs. Lung cancer starts in the lungs and can go to other organs including the brain or lymph nodes. Cancer from other organs also may spread to the lungs.
What is the main cause of lung cancer?
The main cause of lung cancer risk is cigarette smoking. In the United States, cigarette smoking is linked to about 80% to 90% of lung cancer deaths. Lung cancer risk is also increased by using other tobacco products like pipes or cigars.
What are the main types of lung cancer?
The main types of lung cancer are non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC). While SCLC is less prevalent but tends to spread more quickly, NSCLC is the most common kind.
What are the symptoms of lung cancer?
Symptoms of lung cancer may include chest pain, persistent cough, coughing up blood, shortness of breath, hoarseness, weight loss, fatigue, and recurrent respiratory infections.
How is lung cancer diagnosed?
In addition to biopsy, which involves examining a tiny sample of lung tissue under a microscope, lung cancer can also be identified by imaging tests including MRIs, CT scans, and X-rays.
What are the treatment options for lung cancer?
Treatment options for lung cancer may include Chemotherapy, Surgery, Radiation therapy, Immunotherapy, Targeted therapy, or a combination of these approaches, depending on the type and stage of the cancer.
What is the prognosis for lung cancer?
The type of lung cancer, the stage of the disease at diagnosis, and the general health of the patient are some of the variables that affect the prognosis for lung cancer. Early detection and treatment can improve outcomes.
Can lung cancer be prevented?
People can lower their chance of developing lung cancer by avoiding smoking and secondhand smoke, limiting their exposure to environmental carcinogens like asbestos and radon, and leading a healthy lifestyle. However, not all cases of lung cancer can be prevented.
