Lung Cancer

 

Statistics show that Lung cancer patients account for the highest number of deaths amongst male cancer patients.

 

• Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in developed countries and is also rising at an alarming rate   in developing countries

• Studies have estimated that deaths due to lung cancer are more than those due to colorectal, breast and   prostate cancers put together

 

Characteristics of the disease

 

• Classified into two types; ‘Non Small Cell’ Lung Cancer and ‘Small Cell’ Lung Cancer depending on the type of   cell that originates in the lung

• ‘Non-Small Cell’ Lung Cancer is the most common form of lung cancer

 

Causes

 

• Smoking remains the leading cause of lung cancer

  (Studies conducted in India have shown that smokers get the disease earlier and are at greater risk. In patients   with lung cancer, a history of active tobacco smoking is present in 87% of males and in 85% of females. History   of passive tobacco exposure is found in only three percent)

• Environmental exposure to smoke during childhood is strongly associated with the risk of later development of   lung cancer

• Exposure to chemicals such as Radon, chromium, ethers and mustard gas & air pollution are known increase   the risk of lung cancer

 

Signs & Symptoms

 

The signs and symptoms of lung cancer can vary depending on the location of the tumor. However, the common symptoms include:

 

• Blood tinged cough

• Recurrent lung infection

• Choking or difficulty in swallowing

• Hoarseness of voice

• Swelling of neck and shoulders

• Pain in the chest wall

• Accumulation of fluid between the outside of lung and the inside of the chest wall causing shortness of breath   and pain known as pleural effusion

• Unusual fatigue, weakness, fever, loss of appetite and weight loss

 

Sometimes a patient may not have any apparent symptoms or the impact of the symptoms may be low.

 

Diagnosis & Management

 

• Diagnosis

 

Battery of tests, which include imaging studies, blood tests after examination to find out the cause of symptoms and confirm the disease and also to know the stage of the disease.

• Management may include

 

Surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy depending on the stage, location, age and general health of the patient. With the availability of new and better imaging techniques, chemotherapy drugs & radiation techniques, the results have improved significantly.

 

Hence early detection helps in improving the patient’s chances of cure and survival.