Lung Cancer
Lung cancer is a disease that forms in the cells of your lungs. It is usually caused by exposure to toxins such as tobacco smoke, asbestos, or radiation. It can also happen because of changes to the lung cells (such as mutations) that make them change into a cancerous cell.
Treatment
Treatment depends on the type of cancer you have, how big it is, and whether it has spread to other parts of your body. It may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or immunotherapy.
Diagnosis
Your healthcare team will talk with you about your symptoms and risk factors. They will also ask about your family history of lung cancer. This will help them decide what tests to look for and if you need a biopsy.
Tests can help doctors find out what kind of lung cancer you have and how far it has spread. These tests include X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs. You might have a PET scan, which is a special type of X-ray that shows how your body is reacting to cancer cells.
The tests also show if your cancer has spread to your bones, liver, or other parts of the body. They are called staging tests and can be used to assess the best course of treatment for you.
Treatment Options
Early stage lung cancer can be treated with surgery or radiotherapy to remove a small section of the lung and nearby lymph nodes. This is sometimes called a lobectomy or wedge resection. This operation is currently the most effective type of surgery and can be performed for tumors less than 2 centimeters wide.
If the cancer has spread to other parts of your lungs, your doctor may choose to have surgery to remove your entire lungs, known as pneumonectomy. This procedure can also be used for large tumors that are confined to a single lobe or if your cancer has spread to many lymph nodes.
Targeted therapy and biological therapies can also be used to treat lung cancer. These medicines can slow the growth of cancer cells and prevent them from growing in the future. They can also reduce your pain and improve your breathing. These treatments can help you live longer and have a better quality of life. These drugs can have side effects including rash, pain, and diarrhea. These are mild and tend to go away quickly.
Prevention and Symptoms
You can also try a diet high in fruits and vegetables to lower your risk of developing lung cancer. This is a good way to stay healthy and keep your weight under control, which can make it easier to breathe.
Symptoms of lung cancer vary widely and can include coughing up blood, shortness of breath or trouble breathing. These are common in early stage lung cancer, but more severe symptoms can also occur as the cancer grows.
Conclusion
Your doctor will do a physical exam to check your lungs and may refer you to a specialist. Your GP will arrange tests and organize surgery or chemotherapy if they suspect you have lung cancer.
