Lung Cancer
At Apex Cancer Clinic, we have the best cancer doctors who specialize in treating cancer
Lung Cancer
Cancer is a syndrome in which abnormal cells in the body increase out of control. When cancer originates in the lungs, it is called lung cancer. These abnormal cells do not function as normal cells and do not develop into healthy tissue. Lung cancer originates in the lungs and may spread to lymph nodes or other organs in the body, such as the brain. Cancer from other organs may also expand till the lungs.
What are the Signs and symptoms of Lung Cancer?
There are generally no signs or symptoms in the initial stages. Symptoms of lung cancer develop as it grows.
The common symptoms of lung cancer include:
- A cough that continues for 2 to 3 weeks
- A long-stretched cough that gets more acute
- Continuous chest infections
- Spitting blood while coughing
- Pain or discomfort when breathing or coughing
- Consistent breathlessness
- Being tired or drained of energy
- Lack of appetite or sudden weight loss
- Rare symptoms of lung cancer include:
- Fingers getting more arched or their ends becoming increasing in size (finger clubbing)
- Difficulty in swallowing (dysphagia) or discomfort when swallowing
- Wheezing
- A rough voice
- Swelling of your face or neck region
- Consistent chest or shoulder pain
What are the Types of Lung Cancer ?
There are mainly 2 types of lung cancer and their subtypes:
1. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
a. Adenocarcinoma: This type of lung cancer occurs mainly in smokers, but it is also the most common type of lung cancer seen in non-smokers. It is more prevalent in women than in men, and it is more prone to occur in younger people than other types of lung cancer.
b. Squamous cell carcinoma: This type of cancer tends to be found in people with a history of smoking. It is generally found in the center parts of the lungs near the bronchus. Squamous cell carcinomas start in squamous cells, which are flat cells that line the inside of the bronchus.
c. Large cell (undifferentiated) carcinoma: Large cell (undifferentiated) carcinoma: Large cell carcinoma can develop in any part of the lung. It tends to grow and expand quickly, which can make it more difficult to treat. A subtype of large cell carcinoma, known as large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma, is fast-growing cancer and is similar to small cell lung cancer.
d. Other subtypes: Some rare subtypes of NSCLC are adenosquamous carcinoma and sarcomatoid carcinoma.
2. Small cell lung cancer (SCLC)
Approximately 10% to 15% of all lung tumors are SCLC and it is sometimes known as oat cell cancer.
SCLC type of lung cancer tends to grow and expand faster than NSCLC. About 70% of patients with SCLC will have cancer that has already developed before they visit doctors. As this cancer grows rapidly, it favors chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Unfortunately, for most people, cancer will recure at some point.
3. Some other types of lung cancer
a. Lung carcinoid cancer
b. Cancers that spread to the lungs from other organs
c. adenoid cystic carcinomas
d. lymphomas
How is Lung Cancer Treated?
- Surgery. An operation where doctors remove cancer tissue.
- Chemotherapy. Use of medicines to contract or kill cancer.
- Radiation therapy. Using high-energy rays (similar to X-rays) to eliminate cancer.
- Targeted therapy. Using drugs to prevent the growth and expansion of cancer cells.
What are the causes of Lung cancer?
We can not firmly state any main cause for each type of lung cancer. But we do know the majority of risk factors causing these cancers.
- Smoking
- Second hand smoking exposure
- Exposure to radiation therapy
- Genealogical history of lung cancer
Why Choose us ?
At Apex Cancer Clinic Hospital, we have the best cancer doctors who specialize in treating breast cancer with surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and hormonal therapy.