What is lung cancer? 

Lung cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide, and it mainly occurs in men. This can be identified as the most common type of cancer in women. Lung cancer starts in the tissues of the lung that are located in the air passages. The most common types of lung cancer occur in the lung, and other rare types of lung cancer can be identified in the lung and chest walls. It shows some uncontrolled cell growth. They are called tumor cells. Most common types of lung cancer.

Types of Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is mainly classified into two histological types, such as small-cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer. This classification is widely based on the microscopic appearance of the tumor cells, and it indicates different types of effects on the human body.

small-cell lung cancer

According to clinical research data, it was revealed that small-cell lung cancer is the fastest-growing cancer type in the human body, and it grows and spreads faster than non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Around 10–15% of all lung cancers are small cell lung cancer (SCLC), and almost all cases are due to cigarette smoking.

Non-small cell lung cancer

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) can be recognized as the most common type of lung cancer, and it grows and spreads slowly compared with small cell lung cancer. Around 80–85% of lung cancers are relevant to NSCLC. Most NSCLC occurs in the cell lining of the surface of the lung airways, for instance, the bronchioles, bronchi, and alveoli. Furthermore, NSCLC can be categorized into 3 subtypes of lung cancer, such as adenocarcinomas, large cell carcinomas, and squamous cell carcinomas. Adenocarcinoma is the most common type of NSCLC that accounts for more than 40% of lung cancer, and it occurs from mucosal glands. Large cell carcinoma accounts for only 10-15% of all diagnoses, and it showed large, abnormal-looking cells. This type of lung cancer grows and spreads quickly and occurs anywhere in the lung. Squamous cell lung cancer has characteristics that are similar to small cell lung cancer. 

Risk factors for lung cancer

According to epidemiological studies, 10% of lung cancer cases are reported as a result of disorders such as genetic disorders and other endocrine disorders. Some risk factors that contribute to the development and progression of lung cancer include smoking, lung diseases, lung conditions, age, family history, environmental exposures, and chronic obstructive diseases.

Tobacco smoking has been recognized as the main cause of lung cancer incidence worldwide. According to research studies, the risk of lung cancer is 15% or higher in smokers compared with non-smokers. Higher daily consumption and long-term smoking can increase the risk of lung cancer. Other risk factors, such as lung disease and lung incidence, may directly cause lung cancer cases due to the medical history of lung diseases.

Family history is closely associated with the risk of lung cancer occurring, and it is 50% higher in people who have family records of lung cancer. Moreover, age is considered the biggest risk factor for developing cancer. It resulted in a higher incidence of lung cancer being identified in patients aged 60 or older.

Symptoms of lung cancer

We cannot identify the symptoms of lung cancer in the early stages, and most lung cancer incidences have been identified after receiving medical attention due to some kinds of signs and symptoms. Some lung cancer incidences can be identified in the early stages when it is easier to treat, but some incidences have been detected after the metastasis stages, which are identified as the riskiest stage of lung cancer to treat as the disease has spread to other parts of the body. Lung cancer symptoms may include:

• Having a cough most of the time
• Chest pain 
• Feeling so exhausted and fatigued
• Losing appetite 
• Coughing up blood
• Wheezing

Prevention of lung cancer

There is no exact way to prevent lung cancer, but you can follow some habits to reduce the risk of lung cancer 

• Avoid tobacco consumption: The most suitable way to decrease the risk of lung cancer is to refrain from using tobacco. Because if you can avoid tobacco consumption, it would be a great chance to gradually repair your dead cells in the lung to reduce the risk of lung cancer.
• Avoid radon exposure: Studies have shown that radon exposure raises the risk of lung cancer. If you can avoid exposure to radon, it would be important for your health. For further prevention, you can check the radon level in your home by doing radon testing.
• Follow a healthy diet: Taking a healthy diet is very crucial to reducing the risk of lung cancer, especially when it includes high quantities of fresh fruits and vegetables that may protect people against lung cancer. Researchers indicated that your diet must consist of a low-fat, high-fiber diet with plenty of whole grains; this would further indirectly reduce heart disease.
• Avoid carcinogen exposure: Make sure your working place is safe from exposure to toxic chemicals and follow the given precautions to protect yourself.

Major types of diagnosis in lung cancer

• Chest x-ray: It can be identified as the first test that is used to detect and diagnose lung cancer. Chest x-ray results are not an exact way to diagnose lung cancer, but they give some evidence that you may have lung cancer. You must contact the specialist in chest conditions to get immediate medical attention.
• CT scan: It is an acceptable test that is used after chest X-rays. X-ray waves are used to diagnose the disease and can generate detailed images of the body.
• PET-CT scan: The PET-CT scan can identify the exact location of active cancer cells in your body. It’s very important to diagnose diseases and determine the exact therapeutic approaches.

Treatment of lung cancer

Surgery: Considering the type of lung cancer, its metastasis stages, and the overall health of patients, physicians make the decision to perform surgery. because it would be difficult to have surgery with other health problems. Surgery is the best option for NSCLC.

Radiation therapy: It is a type of therapy that can kill remaining cancer cells while also shrinking the tumor. Radiation therapy can be used along with chemotherapy.

Chemotherapy: This type of treatment is very specific. Because surgery and radiation are just focused on specific areas of the body, chemotherapy has a higher potential to move throughout the body to search for tumor cells. Chemotherapy directly interferes with the development and progression of cancer cells.

Targeted therapy: It indicated a function similar to chemotherapy moving around the body to detect tumor cells. This drug is very specific and can directly target specific parts of lung cancer.

Author: Nimalsha Hansani| nim_niii