Lung Cancer Occurs When Cells Divide In The Lungs Uncontrollably.

06 Apr, 2021

Dr. Rajesh Bollam

Lung cancer is the third most common Trusted Source cancer and the main cause of cancer-related death in the United States. It is most common in males, and in the U.S., Black males are around 15% more likely to develop it than white males.

Smoking is a major risk factor, though not everyone who develops lung cancer has a history of smoking.

Lung cancer can be fatal, but effective diagnoses and treatments are improving the outlook.

This article will explain what lung cancer is, how to recognize the symptoms, and the treatment options available.

What is lung cancer?

Cancer causes changes in cells that are otherwise healthy. The cells grow too quickly, without dying off.

Normal cells in the body usually die at a certain stage in their life cycle, thereby preventing a buildup of too many cells. In cancer, however, the cells continue to grow and multiply. As a result, tumors develop.

The two main types of lung cancer are small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer, depending on how they appear under a microscope. Non-small cell lung cancer is more common than small cell lung cancer.

Anyone can develop lung cancer, but cigarette smoking and having exposure to smoke, inhaled chemicals, or other toxins can increase the risk.

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Types

The main types of lung cancer are non-small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer. They differ in the size of cell, as seen under a microscope.

Non-small cell lung cancer

Around 84% of lung cancer cases in the U.S. are non-small cell. There are three subtypes:

adenocarcinoma
squamous cell cancer
large cell carcinoma

Small cell lung cancer

Around 13% of lung cancer cases in the U.S. are small cell. This type tends to grow more quickly than non-small cell lung cancer.

Symptoms and signs

People with lung cancer may not have any symptoms until a later stage. If symptoms do appear, they can resemble those of a respiratory infection.

Some possible symptoms Trusted Source includes:

changes to a person’s voice, such as hoarseness
frequent chest infections, such as bronchitis or pneumonia
swelling in the lymph nodes in the middle of the chest
a lingering cough that may start to get worse
chest pain
shortness of breath and wheezing

In time, a person may also experience more severe symptoms, such as:

severe chest pain
bone pain and bone fractures
headaches
coughing up blood
blood clots
appetite loss and weight loss
fatigue

Learn more about the early signs of lung cancer here.

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Survival rates

According to the American Cancer Society, the chances of surviving for 5 years or longer after receiving a diagnosis of lung cancer are as follows.

The percentages reflect the chances of a person surviving with lung cancer compared with the chances of a person surviving without lung cancer.

Non-small cell lung cancer

Localized	63%
Regional	35%
Distant	7%
Overall	25%

Small cell lung cancer

Localized	27%
Regional	16%
Distant	3%
Overall	7%

Treatment

Treatment will depend on various factors, including:

the type of cancer
the location and stage
the person’s overall health
their individual preferences

All the treatment options can have adverse effects. A person should speak with their healthcare professional about the most suitable choice for them, including the pros and cons of each option.

Some treatment options include:

surgery to remove part or all of a lung
chemotherapy, which refers to a drug treatment that can kill cancer cells and shrink tumors
radiation therapy, which uses high energy rays to kill cancerous cells
radiofrequency ablation, wherein a healthcare professional inserts a thin needle and uses an electric current to destroy cancer cells
targeted therapy, which targets a specific behavior to prevent tumor growth
immunotherapy, which helps the body fight cancer cells
palliative therapy, including pain relief, oxygen therapy, and other help that a person may need to manage their symptoms

A healthcare professional will work with the individual and adjust their treatment plan as their needs change.

Outlook

Lung cancer can be fatal, but emerging treatments mean that many people now survive and recover from lung cancer, especially if they receive an early diagnosis.

Some factors affecting the likelihood of a positive outcome include:

a person’s overall health
their age
the stage of cancer at diagnosis
the type of cancer they have

It is not possible to predict exactly how cancer will affect an individual, but a healthcare professional can help a person understand what they may be able to expect by looking at the results of tests and other factors.

Summary

Lung cancer is a potentially fatal type of cancer, but people who receive an early diagnosis often have a good chance of survival.

People with a high risk of developing lung cancer may wish to consider undergoing regular screening. This can detect the early signs and allow for treatment before the cancer spreads.

Anyone who has concerns about their risk of lung cancer should talk with their healthcare professional

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Lung Cancer Occurs When Cells Divide In The Lungs Uncontrollably.

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