Lung Cancer

Causes

• Smoking: The primary cause, including exposure to secondhand smoke.
• Radon Gas: Naturally occurring gas that can accumulate indoors.
• Asbestos and Other Carcinogens: Exposure to asbestos, arsenic, and other chemicals.
• Air Pollution: Prolonged exposure to polluted air.
• Genetics: Family history of lung cancer.
• Radiation Therapy: Previous radiation treatment to the chest.

Symptoms

• Persistent Cough: A cough that does not go away or gets worse.
• Chest Pain: Pain that is often worse with deep breathing, coughing, or laughing.
• Shortness of Breath: Difficulty breathing or feeling winded.
• Coughing Up Blood: Even a small amount of blood.
• Hoarseness: Changes in the voice or persistent hoarseness.
• Weight Loss: Unexplained weight loss.
• Fatigue: Persistent tiredness or lack of energy.
• Bone Pain: Pain in bones, often in the back or hips.
• Headache: In some cases, headaches.

Types

• Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC):
  • Most common type.
  • Includes adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and large cell carcinoma.
• Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC):
  • Less common but more aggressive.
  • Often linked to smoking.

Diagnosis

• Imaging Tests: Chest X-rays, CT scans, MRI, PET scans to detect abnormalities.
• Sputum Cytology: Examining mucus coughed up from the lungs.
• Biopsy: Removing a sample of tissue for testing.
  • Bronchoscopy: Using a tube to view inside the lungs.
  • Needle Biopsy: Using a needle to remove tissue from the lung.
• Molecular Testing: Testing tumor cells for specific genes, proteins, and other factors.

Treatment

• Surgery:
  • Lobectomy: Removing a lobe of the lung.
  • Pneumonectomy: Removing an entire lung.
  • Segmentectomy or Wedge Resection: Removing part of a lobe.
• Radiation Therapy: High-energy beams to kill cancer cells.
• Chemotherapy: Drugs to kill cancer cells, used before or after surgery.
• Targeted Therapy: Drugs targeting specific abnormalities in cancer cells.
• Immunotherapy: Boosting the immune system to fight cancer.
• Radiofrequency Ablation: Using heat to destroy cancer cells.

Prevention

• Avoid Smoking: Do not start smoking, and quit if you do smoke.
• Avoid Secondhand Smoke: Stay away from areas where people are smoking.
• Test for Radon: Check homes for radon levels and mitigate if necessary.
• Avoid Carcinogens: Follow safety protocols to avoid exposure to harmful substances.
• Healthy Diet: Eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables.
• Regular Check-ups: Especially for those at high risk, such as smokers or those with a
  family history of lung cancer.