Lung Cancer
Lung cancer is a cancer that starts in the lungs. Your lungs are two spongy organs in your chest that take in oxygen and expel carbon dioxide when you breathe. People who smoke are at the highest risk of developing lung cancer, but it can also occur in people who have never smoked. The risk of lung cancer increases with the amount of time and cigarettes smoked. Even if you have smoked for many years, quitting smoking can significantly reduce your chances of developing lung cancer. Lung cancer is the leading cause of death from cancer worldwide.
Your cells divide and replicate themselves as part of their normal function. However, they can experience changes (mutations) that cause them to continue making more of themselves when they should not. Damaged cells that divide uncontrollably form masses of tissue, or tumors, that eventually prevent your organs from functioning properly.
Types of lung cancer
There are many cancers that affect the lungs, but the term "lung cancer" usually refers to two types: non-small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer.
NSCLC (non-small cell lung cancer)
The most common type of lung cancer is non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). It is responsible for more than 80% of lung cancer cases. Adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are two common types. Two less common types of NSCLC are adenosquamous carcinoma and sarcomatoid carcinoma.
Small cell lung cancer
Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) grows faster and is more difficult to treat than non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). It is frequently discovered as a small lung tumour that has already spread to other parts of your body. Small cell carcinoma (also known as oat cell carcinoma) and combined small cell carcinoma are two types of SCLC.
Other types of pulmonary cancer
Other types of cancer, such as lymphomas (cancer in your lymph nodes), sarcomas (cancer in your bones or soft tissue), and pleural mesothelioma (cancer in the lining of your lungs), can begin in or around your lungs. These are treated differently and are not typically referred to as lung cancer.
Symptoms of Lung Cancer
Most lung cancer symptoms look similar to others those of other, less serious illnesses. Many people do not experience symptoms until the disease has progressed, but some people do. Those who do experience symptoms may only have one or a few of the following:
- Cough that does not go away or worsens over time.
- Breathing difficulties or shortness of breath (dyspnea).
- Pain or discomfort in the chest.
- Wheezing
- Hemoptysis is the coughing up of blood.
- Hoarseness
- Appetite loss
- Unknown cause of weight loss.
- Unknown cause of fatigue (tiredness).
- Shoulder ache
- Face, neck, arm, or upper chest swelling (superior vena cava syndrome).
- Horner's syndrome is characterized by a small pupil and drooping eyelid in one eye, as well as little or no sweating on that side of the face.
What is the treatment for lung cancer?
Lung cancer treatments are intended to either eliminate or slow the growth of cancer in your body. Treatments can help to destroy cancerous cells, keep them from multiplying, or teach your immune system to fight them. Some therapies are also used to alleviate symptoms and pain. Your treatment will be determined by the type of lung cancer you have, where it is located, how far it has spread, and a variety of other factors.
There are many options available to treat Lung cancer like Surgery, radiofrequency ablation, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted drug therapy, and immunotherapy are all options for lung cancer treatment.
Apart from that the New Non-Surgical Technology to treat lung cancer is Cyberknife S7 Robotic radiotherapy system first in India is available at Valentis Cyberknife center Meerut Delhi NCR.
CyberKnife S7 system can treat moving tumours with pinpoint accuracy that other radiation therapy systems cannot match. This is especially important when treating tumours that move in response to any bodily function (e.g., breathing).
