The world is a much safer place today. However, we cannot forget how deadly diseases like polio, diphtheria, measles, and cholera have risen in the last century. The world is still plagued by fatal diseases that have the potential to wipe out millions of people every year. As the world continues to develop, conditions like these persist.
The most common diseases in this day and age are different types of flu and cold. However, the flu can be more severe, especially for old or young people. It is also contagious to many people. Many people have died from the flu, such as those in nursing homes. There are thousands of diseases that we must be aware of and understand to ensure the health of our community.
This article will go over one of these deadly diseases “lung cancer” and how it has affected us.
What is Lung Cancer?
Lung cancer is a disease that occurs in the lungs. It is the most common cancer in the United States and leads to the second largest number of deaths due to cancer. It is also the most common cancer in people with a smoking history and is the most common cause of death among smokers. It is a malignant neoplasm of the lung. It’s estimated that 1.6 million people died globally from lungs cancer in 2012. It begins with the abnormal growth of cells in the lungs. Over time, these cancerous cells spread to other parts of the body.
It occurs when the cells of the lung, which perform critical functions such as breathing and cleaning, become cancerous. People who smoke cigarettes and work in jobs that involve breathing in coal dust, silica, or other substances are at an increased risk of lungs cancer. Many different factors also increase a person’s risk of developing lungs cancer. These factors include a history of previous lungs cancer in a family member, radon, exposure to asbestos, and exposure to other toxins. In most cases, lung cancer is diagnosed by a doctor through a physical exam and blood tests.
The most common symptoms are:
- Cough that keeps getting worse
- Coughing up blood or rust-colored sputum
- Chest pain that increases with deep breathing or coughing
- Loss of appetite
- Unexplained weight loss
- Shortness of breath
- Feeling tired or weak
- Infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia that won’t go away or keep coming back
But most of these symptoms are more likely to be caused by something other than lung cancer, but even if you’re experiencing something else, it’s important to see your doctor right away so the cause can be found and treated if needed.
If lung cancer spreads to other parts of the body, it may cause:
- Pain in bones (like pain in the back or hips)
- Nervous system changes (such as memory loss, dementia, brain swelling, vision problems, and other alterations) from brain cancer spread to the nervous system.
- The skin and eyes keep getting yellow from cancer spreading to the liver.
- Swelling of lymph nodes such as those in the neck or above the collarbone
Types of lung cancer
Doctors divide lungs cancer into two main types based on the appearance of lungs cancer cells under the microscope.
Small cell lung cancer
Small cell lung cancer is not as common a type of lungs cancer but by far the deadliest. Small cell lung cancer is a tumor that starts with abnormal cells in the lungs that grow quickly and spread to other parts of the body. Small cell lungs cancer cells grow and form a large number of tumors. It also gets into the bloodstream and spreads to other organs such as the brain, bones, liver, and adrenal glands.
Non-small cell lung cancer
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for about 85% of lung cancer cases. NSCLC is a type of lungs cancer in which a certain type of cell grows abnormally and spreads to other body parts.
It is an umbrella term for several types of lungs cancers. Non-small cell lung cancers include squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, and large cell carcinoma.
Diagnosis
Someone with an increased risk of lung cancer may consider an annual lung cancer screening using low-dose CT scans.
Tests to diagnose lung cancer
Imaging tests
Most lung cancers are detected when a person has a persistent cough or chest pain. To see changes in the lung, doctors may use imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans, or PET scans.
A CT scan can reveal small nodules in your lungs that might not be detected on an X-ray.
Sputum cytology
Cytology is the examination of cells. Cytology is used to identify cancer cells in a sample of sputum. A sputum sample is mucus that is coughed up from the lungs. This sample is used to look for cancer cells because cancer cells are abnormal.
The samples are then examined in a laboratory for evidence of cancer cells. Some people with lung cancer will cough up blood-stained mucus, which could signify that the cancer has spread. If your cough is producing sputum, looking at the sputum under the microscope can sometimes reveal the presence of lung cancer cells.
A tissue sample (biopsy)
A biopsy may be required if cancer is found in a tissue sample. For example, a biopsy may be necessary if lung cancer is seen during a chest X-ray. A tissue sample of lung cancer cells is taken from the site of the lung cancer if a person agrees to have the tissue sample tested in a laboratory. The tissue sample is then examined for signs of cancer to determine if the lung cancer has spread.
A tissue sample may be removed through surgery to examine it in a laboratory. The area where the biopsy is taken is then prepared and sent to a pathologist (a doctor who specializes in diagnosing disease by examining tissue samples) for examination.
Analyzing a cancer study in Online Lab Tests can help your doctor determine the specific characteristics of your cancer and guide your treatment.
Conclusion
Lung cancer is a serious disease. It is the most common type of cancer in both men and women. Most people with lung cancer have no symptoms until cancer has spread to other parts of the body. Even when someone has symptoms, it can be difficult to know if the symptoms are caused by lungs cancer or by another condition.
This is why it is often diagnosed at an advanced stage when it has spread to other parts of the body. When lungs cancer is detected and treated early, the chance of survival is better. Even when lung cancer is diagnosed at an advanced stage, it is possible to live for a long time with treatment. The most effective way to detect lung cancer is through frequent screening using low-dose CT scans.
