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Lung cancer is the most common form of cancer all over the world. It is the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. The main risk factor is tobacco consumption in any form. Damage to the DNA cells in the airway is the reason for lung cancer which is most often caused by cigarette smoking and long-term exposure to biomass smoke. An affected airway can lead to uncontrolled multiplication of cells, resulting in a tumour. Cigarette smoking is one of the major causes of lung cancer. Besides that, other tobacco products like inhaling secondhand smoke and cigars can also be the reason. It can also occur in people who have never smoked.
Symptoms of Lung Cancer
Lung cancer symptoms include the following:
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Cough
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Coughing up of blood
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Chest pain
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Breathing difficulty
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Loss of appetite
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Weight loss
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Unexplained fever
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Hoarseness of voice.
Shortness of breath, hoarseness and coughing are early lung cancer (stage-1) symptoms. Visit a pulmonologist in Bangalore if any of these symptoms last for more than two to three months.
Lung cancer symptoms may vary according to gender. Symptoms of lung cancer in males involve worsening cough, chest pain, hoarseness of voice, and fatigue. Symptoms of lung cancer in females are unclear sense of shortness of breath and fatigue. Women may have more symptoms as the disease progresses, including chronic cough, wheezing, discomfort, chest pain, fever, and poor appetite.
How to Diagnose Lung Cancer?
Your specialist may suggest you a CT or PET scan to diagnose lung cancer. A bronchoscopy with a biopsy can also be done to confirm the diagnosis.
What Are the Treatment Options for Lung Cancer?
Lung cancer, when diagnosed, has to be typed and staged because the treatment largely depends on them. In the early stages when the tumour is small, it can be treated with surgery or radiotherapy. However, in advanced stages when cancer has spread to other body parts apart from the lungs, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and a few new therapies like immunotherapy are used.
Chemotherapy can prevent the further spread of cancer and extend the person's life span. In immunotherapy, your immune system is boosted to fight against cancer. Targeted therapy for lung cancer involves killing only cancer cells, not healthy cells, keeping the cells from growing and dividing.
Stage-4 lung cancer, considered the deadliest disease today, can be managed with oral tablets in case it is ALK-positive (anaplastic lymphoma kinase) type. The lifespan of ALK-positive people can be increased to three to five years by using some oral pills.
A lung tumour can be completely treated with surgical procedures and medications if it is diagnosed in the early stages. Avoiding symptoms may worsen the case, and the tumour may spread to other body parts. The best treatment for you will depend on your cancer stage and other circumstances. Visit the Pulmonology department of a top cancer hospital in Bangalore to find the best medical care if you suspect your symptoms indicate lung cancer.
FAQs on Lung Cancer
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Who is most prone to lung cancer?
People who smoke tobacco products and are exposed to biomass smoke are more prone to develop lung cancer.
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Is lung cancer a curable disease?
Lung cancer can be completely cured if it is diagnosed and treated in the early stages.
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What are the novel treatment options for lung cancer?
Chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and a few new therapies like immunotherapy are novel therapies used these days to treat lung cancer.
