Lung cancer - why lung cancer happens, symptoms, treatment, medicine

Lung cancer - why lung cancer happens, symptoms, treatment, medicine

2.21 million new cases of lung cancer and 1.80 million deaths worldwide in one year (2020)

What is lung cancer?

Lung cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the lungs. This cancer starts when the cells in the body begin to grow out of control, i.e. begin to grow more than necessary. Lung cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide. It is also one of the major health problems in India. Lung cancer usually starts in the bronchi and other parts of the lungs such as bronchioles or alveoli. Cancer can also spread to the lungs from other parts of the body. When cancer cells spread from one part of the body to another, they are called metastasis.

Symptoms of lung cancer -

Generally, lung cancer does not show any symptoms in the early stages. The most important symptoms are found in the advanced stage of lung cancer. Lung cancer has different symptoms in different people. Some people have lung-related symptoms. Some people whose lung cancer has spread to other parts of the body (metastasized) have symptoms specific to that other part of the body. Some people have normal symptoms of not feeling well

Lung cancer includes these special symptoms:-

A cough that becomes severe or does not go away.

Chest pain.

Experiencing difficulty in breathing.

Coughing up blood.

Feeling tired all the time.

Unexplained weight loss.

Some of the symptoms that can sometimes be seen are –

Recurrent bouts of pneumonia.

Swelling or enlarged lymph nodes (glands) inside the chest between the lungs.

By the way, this symptom also occurs in other patients. If you see or feel any of these symptoms, see your doctor and follow his advice.

Causes of lung cancer-

Cancer cells - The formation of cancer cells from the lungs causes lung cancer.

Smoking - Tobacco use is by far the leading cause of lung cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, about 80% of lung cancer deaths are caused by smoking, and many others are caused by exposure to secondhand smoke.

Other causes - Even in non-smokers, lung cancer can be caused by exposure to radon, second-hand smoke, air pollution or other factors. Workplace exposure to asbestos, diesel exhaust, or certain other chemicals can also cause lung cancer in some people who do not smoke.

Changes in DNA - Certain risks of lung cancer can also cause changes in the DNA of lung cells. These changes can lead to abnormal cell growth and sometimes cancer. DNA is the chemical in our cells that makes up our genes, which control how our cells function. DNA, which comes from both our parents, influences much more than how we look. It can also affect the development of some diseases, including some types of cancer.

Inherited gene changes - Genes play a role in the history of lung cancer in some families. For example, people who have certain DNA changes on a particular chromosome (chromosome 6) are more likely to develop lung cancer, even if they do not smoke or smoke only a little.

Prevention of lung cancer -

Don't smoke - The best way to avoid lung cancer is to not smoke and to avoid breathing in other people's smoke. Nowadays young people or children also smoke as a hobby, which can be dangerous for their health. If you stop smoking in time, your damaged lung tissue or cells will slowly begin to heal on their own.

No matter what your age or how long you've smoked, quitting can lower your risk of lung cancer and help you live longer. If you can't quit smoking or tobacco If so, then someone can take help from you or your doctor. Today, there are many such programs or centers that can help you to quit them.

Avoid Radon Exposure - Radon is a major cause of lung cancer. If necessary, you can reduce your exposure to radon by having your home tested and treated.

Avoiding Cancer Agents - Avoiding exposure to known cancer-causing agents in the workplace and elsewhere can also be helpful. When people work where these hazards may occur, they should work with extreme caution, without any exposure to chemicals or carcinogenic substances.

Eat a healthy diet - A healthy diet with lots of fruits and vegetables can also help reduce your risk of lung cancer. A diet high in fruits and vegetables may help protect smokers.

But any positive effect of fruits and vegetables on lung cancer risk would be much less than the increased risk of smoking. If you drink alcohol, you should limit or stop it.

Exercise regularly - Exercise is essential to keep the body healthy in every way. Exercise is helpful in preventing any kind of disease. So give time to exercise regularly but only for a short period of time.

Types of lung cancer -

There are mainly two types of lung cancer:-

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 cancer. Non-small cell lung cancer includes squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, and large cell carcinoma.

Can lung cancer be detected early?

Symptoms of lung cancer are usually not visible at the beginning, so it can be difficult to detect in the beginning. But there is one way through which cancer can be detected in the early days - screening. Screening uses tests to detect a disease in people who do not have symptoms.

According to the American Cancer Society, in recent years, a test known as a low-dose CAT scan or CT scan (LDCT) has been studied in people at high risk of developing lung cancer.

An LDCT scan can help find abnormal areas in the lungs where cancer may be developing.

Research has shown that using LDCT scans to screen people at high risk of lung cancer saved more lives than chest X-rays.

For people at high risk, getting an annual LDCT scan before symptoms start can help reduce the risk of dying from lung cancer.

Advantages of screening -

If lung cancer is detected at an early stage through screening, when it is small and before it has spread, it is more likely to be treated successfully. Lung cancer usually does not have symptoms until The disease is not in advanced stage. Even when there are symptoms of lung cancer, many people may mistake them for other problems, such as an infection or the effects of smoking. This may delay the diagnosis, then the screening clearly indicates the disease.

The main benefit of screening is a reduced chance of dying from lung cancer, which is the cause of many deaths among current or former smokers. Screening should only be done in facilities that have the right type of CT scanner and Those who have experience with LDCT scan for lung cancer screening.

Tests for lung cancer -

Some lung cancers can be detected by screening, but the best screening for lung cancer is done by looking at a sample of lung cells in the lab.

Medical history and physical examination

Your doctor will ask about your medical history to learn about your symptoms and possible risk factors. The doctor will also examine you for signs of lung cancer or other health problems.

If your history and physical exam results suggest that you may have lung cancer, more tests will be done.

Chest (chest) X-ray

A chest X-ray is often the first test your doctor performs to look for any abnormal areas in the lungs. If anything looks suspicious, your doctor may order more tests.

Computed tomography (CT) scan

A CT scan uses X-rays to create a detailed cross-sectional picture of your body. A CT scan is more likely to show a lung tumor. It can also show the size, location of any lung tumors and helps find enlarged lymph nodes into which the cancer may have spread. CT needle biopsy is used if the cancer is deep.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan

Like a CT scan, an MRI scan shows images of the soft tissues in the body. But instead of X-rays, radio waves and strong magnets are used in MRI scans. MRI scans are most commonly used to see the spread of lung cancer to the brain or spinal cord.

Positron emission tomography (PET) scan

For a PET scan, a slightly radioactive form of sugar (known as FDG) is injected into the blood and collects primarily in cancer cells. A PET scan is often combined with a CT scan.

Sputum cytology

A sample of sputum (what you cough up from your lungs) is looked at in the lab to see if it contains cancer cells. The best way to do this is to take 3 consecutive morning samples.

This test is more likely to help find cancers that start in the major airways of the lungs, such as squamous cell lung cancer.

Bronchoscopy

Bronchoscopy can help the doctor find certain tumors or blockages in the large airways of the lungs, which can often be biopsied during the procedure.

Apart from these, there are other tests that are capable of detecting lung cancer at different stages and locations, such as-

1. Thoracentesis

2. Needle biopsy

3. Fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy

4. Endobronchial ultrasound

5. Endoscopic esophageal ultrasound

Treatment of lung cancer

After examination, if either small cell lung cancer or non-small cell lung cancer is found, treatment is started according to the cancer stage.

Small cell lung cancer treatment -

If small cell lung cancer is found in the test, then these treatments will include:

1. Chemotherapy

2. Immunotherapy

3. Radiation therapy

4. Surgery

5. Palliative Procedure

Treatment options for SCLC are primarily based on the stage of the cancer, but other factors, such as a person's health and lung function, are also important. Sometimes, more than one type of treatment is used. If you have SCLC, you will probably have chemotherapy if you are healthy enough. If you have limited-stage disease, radiation therapy and - rarely - surgery may also be options. People with advanced stage disease often have chemotherapy with or without immunotherapy.

One thing to keep in mind is to know the side effects of any treatment from the doctor in a better way.

Treatment of non-small cell lung cancer -

If non-small cell lung cancer is found after screening, treatment includes -

1. Surgery

2. Chemotherapy

3. Immunotherapy

4. Radiofrequency

5. Radiation therapy

6. Targeted drug therapy

7. Palliative Procedure

Treatment options for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are also based primarily on the stage of the cancer, but also on other factors, such as a person's health and lung function, as well as some of the cancer itself. Symptoms are also important. In this too, in many cases, more than one type of treatment is used.

If lung cancer has reached the last stage, many people choose not to undergo this treatment and are only treated with cancer-related symptoms. Get treated according to the doctor's or expert's opinion. You can contact a medical oncologist.

The difference between TB and lung cancer!

What is TB?

If a person is suffering from a cough for more than 3 weeks that does not stop, in which both dry and wet mucus is coming, then that cough may be TB. It is an infectious disease that spreads from person to person by coughing and sneezing.

What is lung cancer?

When a long and uncontrollable cough begins to show signs of blood along with mucus, it is an accurate way to identify lung cancer.

What is lung cancer? Causes, symptoms and treatment

Differences between TB and lung cancer

Difficulty in breathing, chest pain and blood coming with phlegm or mucus are signs of lung cancer. By the way, TB usually has similar symptoms, in which the patient starts TB treatment due to lack of information.

When he is kept under observation by doctors and if the patient does not get relief from TB medicine for two or three weeks, then it is assumed that he has lung cancer, revealed a report from AIIMS, Delhi. 75 percent of lung cancer patients are those who were previously infected with TB.

Lung cancer is most likely to occur in people who smoke or spend time in a smoky place, such as factories, mills, factories. This report also revealed that people who smoke 25 or The more cigarettes are consumed, the more the risk increases.

There are many similarities between tuberculosis (TB) and lung cancer. This is the biggest reason that people cannot differentiate between them, it is difficult for them. Because of this, many times people mistake TB for cancer and continue to consider cancer as TB.

But there are some subtle differences that separate these two, so one should never get confused between the two. However, in both these diseases, symptoms such as long cough, coughing up blood, and hoarseness of voice are seen.

Examination before treatment is very important

But keep in mind, if you are suffering from TB, you must get your mucus tested once before getting treated. In the test, it is seen whether AFB bacteria is seen inside the scrotum or not. If it is visible then it is a symptom of lung cancer and if the bacteria is not visible then it is not cancer but it is a symptom of TB, so it is always necessary to check before treating TB.

India is the country where most deaths are due to lung cancer. According to the report of AIIMS, Delhi, about 90 percent of people in the country come for treatment when they are in the second or third stage of cancer. The reason for this is the lack of information, due to which in most cases people continue to undergo treatment for TB in lung cancer, due to which there is a delay.

Cancer screening with TB is very important

Dr. associated with Lohia Institute. Gaurav said that in the year 2018-19, about 7 thousand cases of lung cancer were reported across India. Symptoms of lung cancer are cough, phlegm, chest pain, loss of appetite, fever, headache, lack of sleep, weakness.

In the later stage, symptoms like bleeding with mucus, pain in the bones are seen. The thing to be understood is that all these symptoms are seen even if you have TB, so it is necessary to check for cancer along with TB and especially when there is no effect even after taking medicine for TB.

What does the doctor say?

The patient should be aware that if his cough does not improve even after medication, then this is a cause for concern. It could be TB or lung cancer. If the patient is taking TB medicine continuously for 1 month and the TB is not getting better then he should be seen by a cancer specialist immediately.

Doctors say that it is very sad that people in India do not get treatment for TB until it turns into cancer and when the cancer reaches an advanced stage, then they start treatment, but till then Too late, the cancer has spread completely.

But if the patient starts the treatment on time, lung cancer can be identified and cured through surgery, but unfortunately, this happens in very few cases.

Liquid biopsy is the best treatment

The country's senior cancer specialist Dr. Aman Sharma says that if lung cancer patients come in the first stage, it is possible that 90 percent can be completely cured. He further said that liquid biopsy has been very successful in lung cancer. Earlier it was not arranged in our country, but now it is available in metros and big cities. Now slowly people have come to know about it and that is why it is being propagated. Earlier many problems were faced in the examination of cancer patients but now it is very easy.