Lung Cancer, Symptoms and Treatment

What is Lung Cancer?

Lung cancer is a type of cancer that occurs in the lungs. It is formed by the proliferation of cancerous cells and tumors in the lung. Its symptoms are not specific, and diagnosis is often delayed. It’s mortality is high, so it should be diagnosed early. Cancer cells first take a massive shape where they are located. This tumor metastasizes by spreading in advanced stages and can spread to organs such as the brain and bone, as well as to more distant organs.

What are the Symptoms of Lung Cancer?

In lung cancer, if a tumor is located in the upper part of the lungs, it may cause pain in the shoulder, hoarseness, and drooping eyelids. Since these and similar symptoms do not specifically suggest lung cancer, they can also be evaluated as any upper respiratory tract infection. However, if the duration of these symptoms has exceeded a few weeks, it is necessary to consult a doctor. Some of the symptoms of lung cancer are as follows:

• Persistent shortness of breath, wheezing
• Chest pain, bloody sputum
• Coughs that persist for a long time and increase in severity
• Hoarseness
• Difficulty swallowing, loss of appetite, and weight loss

The most prominent symptom of lung cancer is persistent coughing getting worse. Symptoms such as chest pain accompanied by fever, shortness of breath, swelling in the face and neck should also be considered.

What are the Causes of Lung Cancer?

The primary known cause of lung cancer is tobacco and tobacco products. The factors that cause cancer can be listed as follows:

• Tobacco products are more than 90% effective (cigarettes, hookahs, pipes, cigars, etc.)
• Radon (10-15%)
• Asbestos
• Scarring, fibrosis in the lung
• Chronic Interstitial Pneumonitis
• Halogen ethers (chloromethyl ether)
• Inorganic arsenic
• Radioisotopes
• Air pollution
• Heavy metals
• Chromium, Nickel
• Mustard gas
• Vitamin A and E deficiency

What Are the Types of Lung Cancer?

Lung cancer types vary in size, spread, and location in the lung. These types can be classified as:

• Squamous cell carcinoma: Men experience this disease more. The disease remains in the lung or spreads to neighboring lymph nodes.
• Adenocarcinoma: Occurs in mucus produced by glandular cells. Its localization is small and peripherally located. It tends to metastasize early.
• Large cell carcinoma: It is located in the membrane surrounding the lungs.
• Adenosquamous carcinoma: It is a very rare type of lung cancer. Consists of flattened-appearing cells, usually seen in glandular tissues.
• Sarcomatoid carcinomas: They are extremely rare. It is a type of non-small cell lung cancer with poorly differentiated sarcoma or sarcoma-like features.
• Neuroendocrine Tumors (Small cell carcinoma, others…): They are among the rare tumors. Its formation usually occurs in the lung and gastrointestinal regions. It is a tumor type with variable morphological features and biological behaviors.

What are Lung Cancer Diagnostic Methods?

First of all, the patient’s medical history is taken. The answers to questions such as whether s/he smokes, whether s/he has had such a habit before, are very important. Tomography is a necessary diagnostic method in terms of their differentiation and detection of possible metastasis to any lymph node in the mediastinal region.

In the three-dimensional image obtained in computed tomography, information is obtained about the location of the tumor and its dimensions. Then, a piece of tissue is taken from the lung for diagnosis. This procedure is called a biopsy. Tissue pieces are subjected to pathological examination if it is a malignant tumor diagnostic methods such as magnetic resonance imaging (MR), bone scintigraphy, ultrasonography, or PET-CT (positron emission tomography) are used according to the patient’s complaints to understand how far it has spread.

Can Cancer Be Prevented by Early Diagnosis in Lung Cancer?

Early diagnosis of lung cancer is very important. As a result of the surgical treatment of the disease, which is noticed in the early period, long-term survival can be achieved at a rate of 85%. According to a study by the Turkish Thoracic Society more than 80% of patients diagnosed with lung cancer are in stages III or IV of cancer when the disease is diagnosed. The common cause of death from lung cancer is distant metastases. Therefore, early diagnosis is of great importance.

How often should a check-up be made for the Early Diagnosis and Treatment of Lung Cancer?

If you are not exposed to any stimulus that causes lung cancer, if you eat healthy foods and do regular sports, it may be sufficient to have a check-up once a year. However, you should follow the frequency that your doctor advises.

What are Lung Cancer Treatment Methods?

In suitable patients, the cancerous area in the lung is removed. There are also chemotherapy applications for patients who are decided not to be suitable for surgery. Today, new ones have been added to all these medical systems.

Which branch physician should be consulted for the diagnosis, examination, and treatment of lung cancer?

For the diagnosis and examination of Lung Cancer, it is necessary to apply to the branches of Chest Diseases or Thoracic Surgery.