𝐋𝐔𝐍𝐆 𝐂𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄𝐑

 𝐋𝐔𝐍𝐆 𝐂𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄𝐑

Lung cancer is the second most common cause of cancer both in the world & in India. It claims the maximum lives due to cancer every year. Lung cancer is notorious for its presentation in the advanced stage and this is mainly responsible for its high mortality rate. However, just as every cloud has a silver lining, lung cancer also has identifiable and easily preventable risk factors.

Our battle with this deadly disease can be won only by knowing more about the enemy i.e. lung cancer. Hence every year, the month of November is observed as the month of “Lung cancer awareness” worldwide. The objective is to spread awareness about the disease in an attempt to catch it in its early stage and thus give the patient a better chance of fighting the disease.

What is Lung Cancer?

• Cancer is an uncontrolled multiplication of cells (malignant cells) in the body which eventually form a mass or a “tumor”. When this occurs in the cells of the air sacs in the lungs, it is called “Lung cancer”. In the early stages, these malignant cells are restricted to the lung itself and affect its function. Later they spread to other organs such as the lymph nodes and the brain (metastasis) after which the disease is labelled as late stage cancer.

Am I at risk for Lung cancer?

 

·        Smoking is the most common cause of lung cancer and accounts for 70-80% of the cases. Smoking increases the chances of lung cancer in a person by 15 – 30 times! The more the number of cigarettes smoked per day and the longer the duration of smoking, the higher is the risk. Not only the smokers themselves but also those who inhale the secondhand smoke are shown to have increased risk.

·        Having said the above, a few lung cancers are also seen in patients without a history of smoking.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other risk factors include:

 

·        Radon is a naturally occurring tasteless & odorless gas that comes from rocks and dirt and gets trapped in houses.

·        Occupational exposure to substances such as asbestos, arsenic, some forms of silica or chromium.

·        Family history of lung cancer in close relatives increases the risk in a person which may be partly due to similar environment or smoke exposures.

·        Lung cancer survivors have an increased chance of developing another lung cancer

·        Cancer survivors with prior radiation therapy to the chest are at higher risk

·        Consumption of excess beta carotene specially by smokers or presence of arsenic in drinking water

 

How can I decrease my risk of lung cancer?

 

·        Avoiding smoking or quitting it if you are already a smoker is the most effective way of preventing lung cancer

·        Avoid exposure to secondhand smoke at home or outside

·        Radon levels in homes can be tested in at risk populations

·        Health and safety guidelines in workplaces where occupational exposure to carcinogens occurs

·        Low dose CT scan can be used as a screening tool in at risk populations

 

What are the symptoms that should alert me?

 

Most patients have no symptoms till the cancer is advanced. When present the symptoms include:

 

·        Prolonged or worsening cough

·        Coughing up of blood

·        Breathlessness

·        Chest pain

·        Weight loss without any attributable cause

·        Persistent feeling of tiredness

 

 

 

 

If any of these symptoms develop especially in the presence of a smoking history or any of the abovementioned risk factors, kindly get yourself examined to catch the disease in its early stages.

 

How is lung cancer diagnosed?

 

Investigations are done to diagnose the cancer and know the extent of its spread (staging).

 

To confirm the presence of lung cancer and determine its type:

 

·        Bronchoscopy

·        Biopsy

·        CT lung

·        Endobronchial ultrasound

 

To stage the disease:

 

·        PET Scan

 

 

What are the treatment modalities available?

 

The treatment of lung cancer is determined by the pathologic type of cancer & the stage of the disease. The age, general condition of the patient and presence of other comorbidities also affect the treatment decisions. A multimodality approach with a multidisciplinary team consisting of the onco surgeon, radiation oncologist and medical oncologist is undertaken.

 

·        Surgery: It forms the mainstay of treatment in early cancers of the non-small cell type. It involves removing the affected part of the lung along with the nearby lymph nodes. The approach can be either open (by making a cut over the chest), thoracoscopic or using robotic surgery.

·        Chemotherapy:  It has a role in all stages of lung cancer and forms the mainstay of treatment in advanced disease. Depending upon the molecular subtype of the cancer, either conventional chemotherapy or targeted chemotherapy is given. Depending upon the treatment plan it can be given either before or after the surgery.