Cancer is the spread of abnormal cells in the human body that does not cease to reproduce. There are different categories of cancer, each deriving its name from the part where it originates. The treatment for the same will also depend on what part of the body is affected.
Lung cancer may occur when a cancerous tumor starts growing near the lungs and affects its functioning. This cancer is further divided into two kinds of cancer: small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer. The latter spreads gradually and slowly than the former and it is more common in people. There are three kinds of non-small cell lung cancer, namely adenocarcinomas, squamous cell carcinomas, and large-cell carcinoma.
Some of the early symptoms of non-small cell lung cancer are as follows.
While coughing at sometimes is all right, intense coughing that is persistent and does not seem to go away is one of the early signs of non-small cell lung cancer. If you have had a persistent cough that seems to only get worse or doesn’t improve with medicine, it is recommended to see a doctor to rule out the chances of it being something else.
This symptom is not limited to lung cancer but also applies to other categories of cancer as well. If you notice a substantial drop in your weight despite eating the same amount of food, you may want to see a doctor to rule out the possibility of cancer. Sometimes patients may also lose appetite in this phase.
Chest pain is another common symptom of non-small cell lung cancer. These bouts of pain may feel worse with coughing, deep breathing, and sometimes even laughing.
Non-small cell lung cancer can spread to other parts of the body during the advanced stage. Neurological symptoms start showing when cancer spreads to the brain and spinal cords.
Chronic fatigue is another symptom that should not be overlooked. This is another telltale symptom that may be common in other forms of cancers as well.
Patients with non-small cell lung cancer may develop hoarseness in their voice. There may also be an onset of infections like bronchitis and pneumonia that persist for a long time.
In most advanced cases, lung cancer may spread to the bones and may pose symptoms like aching bones. However, aching bones can also be a symptom of other health issues.
Lung cancer may lower vascular resistance, which causes an increase in blood flow in the small arteries of the toes and fingers, which causes the clubbing of the toes and fingers. However, this symptom is not exclusive to lung cancer. It can also be a sign of other health problems as well.
It is important to understand that the occurrence of these symptoms does not always have to be an indication of cancer and may be attributed to other benign health conditions. That’s why it is always better to get yourself checked by a qualified healthcare provider to be 100 percent sure.
Lung cancer is a type of cancer that originates in the lungs and is characterized by the spread of abnormal cells that do not stop reproducing. There are two major kinds of lung cancer, non small-cell lung cancer and small-cell lung cancer.
The first type, which is the non small-cell lung cancer, is further divided into three types: adenocarcinoma, large cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma. The symptoms of non small-cell lung cancer include fatigue, persistent coughing, unexplained weight loss, chest pain, and bone aches, among others. There are a number of therapies and treatment methods that patients with non small-cell lung cancer can opt for. The non small-cell lung cancer treatment options depend on the stage of cancer.
This phase involves timely treatment during the early stages of cancer. In this phase, the malignant cells are not obvious in the bronchoscopy or imaging tests. These tests are repeated every few months to check if a tumor is present, and the rest of the treatment then depends on the stage of the tumor.
The non small-cell lung cancer treatment options for this stage include laser therapy, photodynamic therapy, and brachytherapy. The next treatment option for this stage of cancer is surgery. Any surgery is only performed if the patient is healthy enough to undergo it.
The treatment for this phase is only surgery. A segmentectomy, wedge resection, sleeve resection, lobectomy, or a pneumonectomy is performed depending on the location and severity of the tumor. Patients with a higher risk of relapsing may also undergo chemotherapy sessions post the surgery.
This phase of cancer is also treated with surgery. Lobectomy or sleeve resection is the main procedure involved. Patients with this stage of cancer may also need to get any affected lymph nodes removed. The surgery is usually followed by multiple chemotherapy sessions.
The treatment for this stage involves a combination of chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and/or surgery. The treatment is usually initiated with chemotherapy and then followed by radiation therapy. Surgery is usually the last resort to remove any remaining cancer cells.
Chemotherapy and radiation therapy are the most preferred methods of treatment. Surgery is only opted for if the patient is healthy enough to undergo it. Usually the first two methods should be enough to treat the patients for most cases.
This is the most serious stage of cancer where cancer has spread to more body parts, making it extremely difficult to be treated completely. This phase of cancer is hard to cure but multiple treatment options such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, and even surgery can be opted to relieve the symptoms.
Even after undergoing the above mentioned non small-cell lung cancer treatment options, patients are advised to get themselves checked regularly for any relapse or recurrence of cancer.
Metastatic cancers are the cancers that are characterized by their origin. These cancers, even after spreading to another organ, are still identified by the name of the organ they started from. For instance, if lung cancer affects another organ, say the liver, it will be called metastatic lung cancer and not liver cancer.
It should be noted that metastatic cancer is not the same as second primary cancer. The survival rate of metastatic lung cancer is different from that of the second primary cancer. Abnormal cells in a new organ are part of metastases only when the cells show similarity to primary cancer, whereas second primary cancer involves the new growth of abnormal cells which are not similar to cancer cells belonging to any other part of the body. The latter kind of cancer is also rare.
Some of the organs most commonly affected in metastatic lung cancer include the lymph nodes, brain, liver, adrenal glands, and bones. Although not completely impossible, but, in rare cases, it may also spread to the stomach, intestines, pancreas, and kidneys.
Metastatic lung cancer survival rate indicates the rate of people who are alive after a specific period of time following the diagnosis. Five years is the time period that is taken as the base to calculate survival rate. Patients who live beyond this period may live for much longer than that too.
The five-year survival rate for stage A1 cancer is over 90 percent, while for A2 it is 83 percent, and A3 is about 77 percent. For stage IB, the survival rate is nearly 68 percent. The survival rate drops to 60 percent for IIA stage cancer and 53 percent for IIB cancer. The five-year survival rate is at 36 percent for stage IIIA patients, while it is about 26 percent and 13 percent for stage IIIB and IIIC patients, respectively. The metastatic lung cancer survival rate is very less and even less than 1 percent. However, there are several treatment options available that may help in treating cancer at this stage as well.
It is important to note that these survival rates are only a rough indication. It really depends on the patient’s condition and treatment to determine if they can get better.
The indicator of metastatic lung cancer is cancer growing in tissues nearby. Sometimes, these cancer cells break away from the origin and spread through the bloodstream too.
Since metastatic cancer cannot be predicted on the basis of medical history or any other factors, the best way to prevent it is by treating the lung cancer actively. You can even avoid lung cancer by taking proper care and making certain lifestyle changes. These changes include quitting smoking and avoiding any passive forms of smoking.
If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with metastatic cancer, it is important to remember that support from family, friends, and loved ones can help overcome the feelings of anxiety and anger that may be part of the process. Joining a cancer support group or attending counseling is also highly beneficial.
