Detection and Treatment of Lung Cancer

Lung Cancer is the most prevalent form of cancer in the US currently, and causes more deaths than other chronic types of cancer such as prostrate, colorectal and breast cancer combined 

• In 1987, deaths due to lung cancer in women exceeded the number of deaths due to breast cancer
• The estimated number of deaths from lung cancer this year, are nearly 160,000
• Survival rate of people diagnosed with lung cancer is the lowest compared to other forms of cancer. Over 50% of people diagnosed with lung cancer die within a year of diagnosis

(Sources: www.cdc.gov and www.lung.org)

Risk Factors

• Smoking - is the primary cause of lung cancer. Even if you have quit smoking recently, you could still be at risk through years of smoking, and must be screened for lung cancer
• Second-hand smoke -If you live with a spouse, sibling, partner or roommate who smokes, you are at as much risk as the smoker
• Exposure to Radiation–this is a natural element that is produced by the breakdown of uranium,and itemanates significant levels of radiation. Radon accumulates in buildings, soil, air and water, which can put the resident at risk
• Exposure to harmful chemicals -toxic chemicals like asbestos, arsenic and chromium can be carcinogenic with prolonged exposure. If you work in a production plant and handle these chemicals routinely, you are at high risk of developing lung cancer
• Heredity - If you have a family history of lung cancer, you are at risk even if you are not a smoker or exposed to toxic substances, constantly

Symptoms

Compared to other types of cancer which exhibit symptoms, lung cancer does not present typical symptoms till an advanced stage (late Stage II and early Stage III). Common symptoms include:

• Persistent cough that doesn't cease with time
• Rasping and prolonged bouts of cough typical of smokers, called "smoker's cough"
• Traces of blood in the sputum
• Fluid in the chest, or ‘Pleural effusion’
• Shortness of breath caused by pleural effusion
• Chest pain, wheezing and hoarse voice
• Weight loss
• Pain in the bones and headache, which can be due to the cancer metastasizing to other parts of the body, like the bones and brain

Diagnosis

• Regular screening: If you are over 55 years of age, smoke regularly or have quit smoking in the recent past, you are required to take a CT scan of your lungs once a year. The CT scan may show small lesions (tissue that looks abnormal) which could be cancerous
• Sputum cytology:You will be asked to cough and produce sputum which is then examined under a microscope for lung cancer cells
• Biopsy: Tissue samples from your lung(s), lymph nodes and liver are collected using endoscopic methods and examined for lung cancer cells

 
Treatment

• Staging – this is the first step in the treatment process, wherein the Oncologist (cancer specialist) will analyze the stage of lung cancer (stage I, II, III or IV)
• Surgery -this is preferred, as the surgeon can remove the cancerous tissue completely
• Radiation -when the cancerous tissue is inaccessible, high-energy X-rays are used to burn out the cancerous tissue
• Chemotherapy -this is generally administratedafter surgery and radiation, to destroy any remnants of cancerous tissue
• Drugs - New-age drugs that target specific behaviors in cancerous cells, such as Bevacizumab, Erlotinib and Crizotinib are used to disable and destroy the cancerous tissue

If you are a smoker, handle hazardous chemicals, or have a family history of lung cancer, contact your primary care physician, who will conduct the requisite tests and recommend a comprehensive course of treatment.