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Lung cancer develops when cells in the lungs divide out of control, resulting in tumour growth. Tumors can make it difficult for a person to breathe and can spread to other parts of the body. Lung cancer is one of the most prevalent cancer type and it is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Although lung cancer can be lethal, advances in diagnosis and therapy are improving the prognosis. Let’s have a closer look at the topic and discuss some important questions.
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Key terms: Lung Cancer, Smoking, Tumor, Cancer, Tissue, Lungs, Uranium, Radon gas, Asbestos fibres, Pollution
Also read: Difference between Right lung and Left lung
Causes of Lung Cancer
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Lung cancer is caused by a number of factors, including:
- Smoking: It is one of the most common causes of lung cancer.
- Pollution: It is caused by car fumes, industry, and other sources.
- Asbestos fibres: When exposed to asbestos fibres, which are nothing more than silicate fibres, they can stay in lung tissue for a long time. Working space can be defined as a common source.
- Radon gas: The breakdown of radioactive radium produces radon gas, which is a decay product of uranium. In most cases, radon gas is colourless. The decomposed products ionise the genetic material, causing mutations that can lead to cancer.
- Other causes include rubber manufacture, hazardous fumes, inefficient coal combustion, and various types of metals.
Symptoms of Lung Cancer
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The following are some of the symptoms:
- Breathing difficulties.
- Wheezing.
- Chest pain from long time
- Face and neck swelling.
- Difficulty in swallowing.
- Respiratory illnesses, such as pneumonia, on a regular basis.
- Weak shoulders and arms
- Coughing blood.
- Loss of weight.
- Hoarseness
- Strong headache
- Joints hurt
Also read: Lung Disease
Stages of Lung Cancer
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The severity of cancer, the amount to which it has spread, the size of a tumour, and whether it has expanded to secondary cells are all determined by stages.
Stages of non-small cell lung cancer
It is divided into four stages, ranging in severity from Stage 1 to Stage 4.
Stage 1: The cancer has been confined to the lungs at this point.
Stages 2 and 3: The cancer has confined itself to the lymph nodes.
Stage 4: The cancer has progressed beyond the lungs.
Stages of Small Cell Lung Cancer
Limited stage: Cancer is confined to the place of genesis at this stage (i.e. lungs and lymph nodes).
Extensive Stage: Cancer has spread to various sections of the body at this point.
Read more: Asthma
Diagnosis of Lung Cancer
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A healthcare professional will likely propose diagnostic tests if a person has any symptoms that could signal lung cancer or if screening reveals something unusual.
- Tests of imaging
An X-ray, CT scan, MRI, or PET scan may detect cancerous regions of lung tissue.
Imaging scans can identify changes in bones and other organs if the cancer has spread. Furthermore, scans can be used to track treatment progress.
- Sampling of tissues
A biopsy may be performed by a healthcare expert to screen for cancer cells.They may utilize a more invasive surgical approach, such as thoracoscopy or video-assisted thoracic surgery, to extract lung tissue from less accessible lesions.
- Other examples
Cancer can also be detected in the following areas using laboratory tests:
- Sputum
- Blood
- Pleural effusion, which is fluid that gathers around the lungs
Also Read: Mouth Cancer (Oral Cancer)
Treatment of Lung Cancer
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All treatment approaches have the potential for side effects. The following are some treatment options:
- Chemotherapy, which refers to a drug treatment that can kill cancer cells and reduce tumours.
- Surgery to remove part or all of a lung
- Radiation therapy: The employment of high-energy beams to eliminate malignant cells.
- A healthcare expert inserts a tiny needle and utilizes an electric current to eliminate cancer cells in radiofrequency ablation.
- targeted therapy, in which a certain behavior is targeted in order to limit tumor progression.
- Immunotherapy, which aids the body in the fight against cancer cells.
- Palliative therapy, which may include pain relief, oxygen therapy, and other assistance to help a person manage their symptoms.
Also read: Respiratory System Disorders
Complications of Lung Cancer
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- Superior vena cava syndrome: It occurs when tumours in the upper right lung block blood flow through the superior vena cava, a major vein that transports blood from the upper body to the heart. Superior vena cava syndrome, which causes facial swelling, dizziness, and loss of consciousness, may occur.
- Metastasis: Lung cancer has the potential to spread to other regions of the body, such as the brain, bones, and adrenal glands.
- Lung infections: Due to weakened immune systems, people with lung cancer are more likely to contract lung infections such as pneumonia or bronchitis.
- Heart blockage: Lung cancer can migrate to the heart and compress or obstruct the veins and arteries, causing heart obstruction. Fluid buildup, cardiac obstruction, arrhythmias, and heart attacks can all occur from this.
- Hypercalcemia: Lung cancer can cause an increase in calcium levels in the blood, which is referred to as hypercalcemia.
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| Respiratory System Disorders | Mechanism of Breathing | Mutagens |
| Mediastinum | Colon Cancer | Thoracic Cavity |
Things to Remember
- Lung cancer is a malignant tumour that develops in the lungs as a result of unregulated cell development within the tissues.
- Non cell small lung cancer and Small cell lung cancer are the two stages of lung cancer.
- Tumors can make it difficult for a person to breathe and can spread to other parts of the body.
- Healthy cells in the body die at a specific point in their life cycle, preventing an overabundance of cells. Cancer cells, on the other hand, continue to develop and reproduce. Tumors form as a result.
Also Read: Congestive Heart Failure
Sample Questions
Ques. What prevention can be taken to avoid lung cancer? (3 marks)
Ans. Although it is impossible to avoid all lung cancers, there are numerous things that can be taken to lower one's risk. The following are some of them:
- If applicable, stop smoking: Regardless of a person's age or smoking history, quitting smoking can reduce the risk of lung cancer.
- Secondhand smoke should be avoided: Inhaling smoke can cause a variety of health problems, including an increased chance of lung cancer.
- Maintain a well-balanced diet: Consuming a wide range of nutrient-dense fruits and vegetables may assist to prevent lung cancer.
- Avoid radon exposure: Radon is a colourless and odourless gas that has the potential to cause lung cancer. Individuals who operate in regions where radon exposure is a higher risk should follow all suggested safety practices to reduce health risks.
Ques. What is Non-small cell lung cancer? (3 marks)
Ans. NSCLC accounts for about 80% to 85% of lung cancer cases. Adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and large cell carcinoma are the three primary subtypes of NSCLC. Because their therapy and prognoses (outlook) are typically similar, these subtypes, which start from distinct types of lung cells, are classed together as NSCLC.
- Adenocarcinoma: Adenocarcinomas begin in cells that ordinarily release mucus or other substances. Squamous cell carcinomas begin in squamous cells, which are flat cells that cover the lining of the lungs' airways. They are usually seen in the middle region of the lungs, near the main airway, and are associated with a history of smoking (bronchus).
- Large cell carcinoma, also known as undifferentiated carcinoma, can develop in any area of the lungs. It has a tendency to spread and grow quickly, making treatment more difficult. Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma, a subtype of large cell carcinoma, is a fast-growing malignancy that is remarkably similar to small cell lung cancer.
- Other subtypes: Adenosquamous carcinoma and sarcomatoid carcinoma are two other NSCLC subtypes that are far less common.
Ques. Write about Adenocarcinoma. (3 marks)
Ans. Adenocarcinomas begin in cells that ordinarily release mucus or other substances. This type of lung cancer is most common in those who smoke or have smoked in the past, but it is also the most common type of lung cancer detected in nonsmokers. It affects more women than males, and it is more common in younger individuals than other types of lung cancer.
Adenocarcinoma is most commonly detected in the lungs' outer layers, and it is more likely to be discovered before it has spread. People with adenocarcinoma in situ (formerly called bronchioloalveolar carcinoma), a kind of adenocarcinoma, have a better prognosis than those with other types of lung cancer.
Ques. What is Small cell lung cancer? (3 marks)
Ans. SCLC is a type of lung cancer that accounts for 10% to 15% of all lung malignancies and is also known as oat cell cancer.
This kind of lung cancer grows and spreads more quickly than NSCLC. At the time of diagnosis, almost 70% of those with SCLC will have cancer that has already spread. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy work well for this cancer because it grows quickly. Unfortunately, the cancer will return for the majority of patients at some point.
Ques. Why does smoking marijuana increase the risk of lung cancer? (3 marks)
Ans. There are reasons to believe that smoking marijuana increases the risk of lung cancer.
- Marijuana smoke contains tar as well as many of the same cancer-causing chemicals found in tobacco smoke. (Tar is the sticky, solid residue that remains after a fire is extinguished, and it is estimated to contain the majority of the toxic compounds in smoke.)
- Marijuana cigarettes (joints) are usually smoked all the way to the finish, which has the maximum tar concentration.
- Marijuana smoke is breathed deeply and kept in the lungs for a long time, giving any cancer-causing chemicals additional time to lodge in the lungs.
- Because marijuana remains illegal in many regions, it may be impossible to determine what additional chemicals it contains.
Ques. What are some common symptoms of lung cancer? (3 marks)
Ans. Lung cancer patients may not have symptoms until later stages. If symptoms of lung cancer do arise, they may appear to be similar to those of a respiratory infection.
The following are some examples of possible symptoms:
- Hoarseness, for example, is a shift in a person's voice.
- Chest infections, such as bronchitis or pneumonia, are common.
- Swollen lymph nodes in the centre of the chest a persistent cough that may become more severe chest pain
- Wheezing and lack of breath
Ques. What are the stages of Non-small cell lung cancer? (3 marks)
Ans. The phases of NSCLC are commonly described by healthcare experts using tumour size and spread, as follows:
Hidden or occult: On imaging scans, the cancer does not manifest, although malignant cells may appear in phlegm or mucus.
Stage 0: Only the topmost layers of cells lining the airways contain abnormal cells.
Stage 1: A tumour exists in the lung, but it is less than 4 centimetres (cm) in diameter and has not migrated to other areas of the body.
Stage 2: The tumour has grown to a diameter of 7 cm or less and has spread to adjacent tissues and lymph nodes.
Stage 3: The cancer has spread to the lymph nodes and other regions of the lung and its surroundings.
Stage 4: Cancer has spread to other regions of the body, such as the bones or the brain.
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