Overview
Lung cancer is a malignant tumor of the lung parenchyma. It is one of the most common cancers leading to the death of the patient.
Causes
Like all cancers, this cancer also has multiple causes, that lead to its development. Some of the more important causes are:
- Cigarette smoking
- Genetic predisposition (family history of lung cancer)
- Chronis Inhalation of irritants like Asbestos, Coal dust, etc.
- Radon gas
Symptoms
The symptoms of lung cancer become apparent when the disease has significantly progressed, and they may include:
- A new cough that doesn’t resolve
- Coughing up blood
- Shortness of breath
- Weight loss
- Voice hoarseness
- Chest pain
- Bone pain
- Headache
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of lung cancer requires a long list of tests and procedures. They are listed below:
- Chest X-ray
- Chest CT scan
- Lung biopsy
- MRI
- PET scan
- Lymph node biopsy
- Bone scan
Treatment
Treatment of this cancer depends on whether it is localized or has metastasized. Some of the following treatment modalities are used in the case of lung cancer:
- Surgical resection of neoplastic tissue (wedge resection- to remove a small section of lung that contains cancer, Segmental resection- to remove a segment of lung tissue, Lobectomy- to remove an entire lobe, Pneumonectomy- to remove the entire lung)
- Radiation therapy
- Chemotherapy
- Targeted drug therapy
- Immunotherapy
- Palliative care
