Lung cancer: symptoms, identification, and treatment.

Lung cancer was accountable for 18% of all cancer-related deaths globally in 2020. Thus, there is a need to know about lung cancer, its risk factors, common signs of lung cancer, the existing treatments and how one can prevent it. If you're experiencing any such problem, don't ignore it. Contact our best Oncologist at CMRI Hospital, Kolkata today for expert consultation and treatment.In this blog, we will focus on some important aspects. So, let’s start and let’s see more about this.

What is lung cancer?

Lung cancer is a disease that occurs when there is an uncontrollable growth of abnormal cells in the lungs, causing damage to the healthy lung cells. These abnormal cells turn into malignant tumours and start to interfere with normal lung function. Cancerous cells in the lungs tend to spread to other parts of the body, including the brain and bones. Early detection is the key that improves the success and survival rate. 

There are two main types of lung cancer:

• Non-small cell lung cancer is the most common type of lung cancer. It is responsible for about 85% of cases. It begins in the tissues of the lungs.
• Small cell lung cancer is less common, however, it tends to grow and spread faster than non-small cell lung cancer. It generally starts in breathing tubes known as bronchi and grows quickly. It is mostly associated with smoking. 

Symptoms of Lung Cancer 

Early recognition of lung cancer symptoms can prove to be helpful in its effective treatment.

Consult your doctor if these symptoms are persistent for a long time. 

Causes of Lung Cancer 

There are several factors that can cause lung cancer; however, some of the common and significant ones are: 

• In a report by NCBI, Smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer, accounting for approximately 85% of cases. The risk increases with the number of cigarettes smoked. 
• Secondhand smoke which means getting exposure to tobacco smoke from others can also increase risk.
• Environmental factors such as prolonged exposure to radon gas, asbestos, or other harmful substances can contribute to lung cancer risk.
• Family history may play a role, as some genetic mutations can increase susceptibility to lung cancer.

Risk Factors of Lung Cancer

While smoking remains the lead cause of lung cancer, other risk factors may include: 

Risk factor	How does it impact?
Age	Most lung cancer cases usually occur in individuals over 65 years but this may not be the case every time.
Gender	Men are more likely to develop lung cancer than women, although this gap is narrowing.
Pre-existing lung conditions	Conditions like COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) can increase risk.
Occupational exposures	Jobs that expose individuals to harmful chemicals or materials can increase the risk.

Lung Cancer Diagnosis Process 

The diagnosis process of lung cancer involves multiple stages. 

Early detection and a proactive approach can lead to successful outcomes. Feel free to reach out for expert advice at CMRI. Our team will provide you end-to-end guidance for your concerns and queries.

FAQs

 

What is the survival rate of lung cancer?

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