HTV

Lung Cancer

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:

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