Lung Cancer Symptoms
What is lung cancer?
Lung cancer means growth of abnormal cells in one or both the lungs.
Body contains number of cells and is generally divided and multiplies in orderly way. These newly created cells replace older cells. The process of newly creation and renewal is continuously occurs in the body. Abnormal cells are also occurs normally and are replaced by natural defense mechanism.
Cancer is also known as malignant growth appears when:
- When natural defenses of the body such as immune system are some parts and the other protective systems can't stop growth of uncontrollable division of cells then begins the cancer.
- Abnormal cells become greater and come close to form the tumor. These cancerous tumors grow uncontrollable and can destroy the normal cells which are present near the tumor. In some of the cases, these cells of cancer spread to other parts of the body. Many years are required for generating the lung cancer. Two main types of blood cancer are given below:
- Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) grows quickly and often spreads to distant parts of the body.
- Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common type of lung cancer. It grows more slowly than small cell lung cancer.
Causes of Lung Cancer:
Smoking is the main cause of lunge cancer and this happens because of substances such as tobacco, which causes the cancer. These substances are also known as carcinogens. These carcinogens actually damage the lunge cells. These damaged cells then become the cancerous after some period.
Generally, chances of developing the cancer in smoker depend on the following things:
- The age in which person starts the smoking
- Period of smoking
- Number of cigarettes smokes per day
- Contact to the agents which causes the cancer through the job of a person. This means contact to the asbestos may be construction industries or mining. If these particles of asbestos are remains in the lungs then cells of lung gets damaged. Certain industrial particles are also responsible such as vinyl chloride, coal products, nickel chromate, arsenic, and other chemicals.
- Contact to the radiation, either for medical purpose or for the occupation such as repeated x-rays.
- The radon gas which present in the certain areas of soil and rock, damage the lung and causes the lung cancer. The radon gas present in home can be measured by kit which is inexpensive and available in hardware or departmental stores.
Lung Cancer Symptoms and Signs:
The person who have lung cancer experiences the following lung cancer symptoms::
- Cough
- Wheezing
- Shortness of breath
- Hemoptysis (bloody, coughed-up sputum)
- Chest pain
- Loss of appetite
- Inflammation of the lungs (Pneumonia)
- Weight loss
- Weakness
- Swallowing difficulties
- Chills
- Speech difficulties or changes
- Skin paleness or bluish discoloration
- Finger/nail abnormalities
- Joint pain or swelling
- Muscle contractions or atrophy (shrinkage)
- Eyelid drooping
- Facial swelling or paralysis
- Breast development in men
- Bone pain/tenderness
Diagnosis of Lung Cancer:
Physical Examination:
Those person who supposed that they have lung cancer symptoms, should go through some physical examinations. For this examination, physician takes sample of matter from the ungs and throat which is known as sputum. This sample then sent to test whether bacteria, cancer cells, or other infectious organisms are present or not. If accurate diagnosis does not provide then some other tests will be required which are given below:
- Chest radiograph (x-ray test): This test is used for detecting inflamed lymph node in chest or mass in lungs.
- Computed tomography (CT scan): This test produces cross sectional image of the human body.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI scan): This is a diagnostic process in which ions of the hydrogen are excited by uncovered to the magnetic field. The ensuing signals are processed by the computer and creates chest image for defining the location of lung participation.
- Bronchoscopy: This is visual examination of lung branches and windpipe done by a pulmonologist. For this test flexible scope is used. Bronchoscopy involves brushings, for analysis of the cell washings the respiratory tissues, and the biopsy. If the bronchoscopy is not successful then performed the needle biopsy.
- Needle biopsy: This test is performed on the areas in pleura and lungs. FNA (Fine Needle Aspiration) uses a hollow, slim needle which is attached to the syringe. This needle is inserted in the suspicious mass and for freeing the cells it is pushed back and forth.
- PTH (parathyroid hormone): Blood levels of PTH or PTH-related protein helped for distinguishing the lung cancer from the pleura cancer or other diseases.
- CYFRA21-1 (cytokeratin fragment 19): This is used for protein maker of the lung cancer.
Treatment of the Lung Cancer:
The standard treatment for lung cancer patient is of partial efficiency in all but the localized tumors. For treating the lung cancer radiation therapy, surgery and chemotherapy are used.
The treatment is depends on number of factors such as tumor type, level of disease at the time of diagnosis, age of patient, health and other variables.
Surgical procedures may include segmental or wedge resection that is removal of lung part which is affected, lobetomy means removes entire lobe of the lung or remove entire left or right lung and process is known as pneumonectomy.
External beam is used in the radiation therapy using the machines which is placed outside of the body that delivers electrons and x-rays at the location of the tumor. The radiation is based on location and size of the tumor.
For the primary tumor and surrounding tissues, patient firstly receives external therapy. Small area is treated after initial treatment and final area of treatment is then quite small. Radiation is referred as a boost. Radiation therapy is called as local treatment because it affects only on the cells.
Chemotherapy is a systemic treatment. In this treatment drugs enters into the bloodstream and travels through whole body affecting the cancer cells present outside of lung area. These drugs may be given through the injection to veins or muscles or through mouth. On the basis of outpatient, chemotherapy is taken. Targeted therapy is a newer type of chemotherapy.
