Diagnosis of Lung Cancer :

If lung cancer is suspected, the person will have their medical history taken, a physical examination, and a variety of tests to confirm the diagnosis. During the physical exam, the doctor will look for lymph node enlargement in the neck or in the region above the collarbones, liver enlargement, abnormal abdominal enlargement, and signs of a lung mass. The tests may include the following :

1.      Chest x-ray to look for growths

2.      A Sputum test (phlegm coughed up from the lung) to detect cancerous cells

3.      Biopsy (the surgical removal of a small piece of tissue for microscopic examination).

4.      Pulmonary function test, called a Spirometry.

Staging of Lung Cancer :

Once the diagnosis of lung cancer is made, further staging studies are done to determine the spread of the disease and the appropriate treatment method. These studies include computed tomography (CT or CAT scan), a bone scan and a PET scan.

A bone scan, also called a radionuclide or nuclear medicine scan, involves injecting a radioactive substance into the body. An instrument then scans the body to measure radiation levels. A PET scan is similar to a bone scan except it gives information on all the organs of the body. Once the tests are done, the doctor will determine what stage the cancer is in and base treatment decisions on this information.

Treatment of Lung Cancer :

 Ptandard treatment for lung cancer is of limited effectiveness in all but the most localized tumors.

Surgical Procedures include wedge or segmental resection (removal of a portion of the affected lungs), lobetomy (removal of entire lobe of the lung) or pneumonectomy (removal of the entire right or left lung).

Radiation Therapy is usually given by external beam, using machines located outside the body that deliver x-rays or electrons to the location of the tumor. The radiation dose is based on the size and location of the tumor.

Chemotherapy (treatment with anticancer drugs) is a systemic treatment - the drugs enter the bloodstream and travel through the body, affecting cancer cells outside the lung area. Drugs given to treat lung cancer may be given by mouth or injection to a muscle or vein. Most chemotherapy is taken on an outpatient basis.

Lung cancer starts in the cells of the lung .

Types of Lung Cancer :

There are two major types of lung cancer. Each type of lung cancer grows and spreads in different ways. Each type may be treated differently.

Non-small Cell Lung Cancer: this is the most common type of lung cancer. It usually spreads more slowly than some other lung cancers. There are three major types of non-small cell lung cancers: Squamous cell carcinoma, Adenocarcinoma and Large cell carcinoma

Small cell Lung Cancer: this is a less common type of lung cancer and it spreads faster than non-small-cell lung cancer. There are three major types of small cell lung cancers: Small cell carcinoma, Mixed small cell/large cell, Combined small cell carcinoma.

Risks of Lung Cancer :

*Tobacco Smoking.

*Asbestos

*Marijuana

*Recurring Inflammation by TB / Pneumonia increases risk of developing the lung cancer.

*Talcum Powder

*Personal and Family History

*Other Mineral Exposures

*Vitamin A Deficiency or Excess

*Air Pollution

Symptoms of Lung Cancer  :

Lung Cancer often does not produce symptoms in the early stages. Symptoms are a result of tumor growth, pressure and invasion on nearby structures and nerves, regional growths or metastasis.

If the cancer originated and grew in the bronchi and spread to nearby lymph nodes, the symptoms may include: coughing (when a tumor grew and blocked a passage), coughing up blood, chest pain, shortness of breath, pneumonia, hoarseness, difficulty in swallowing, swelling of the neck, face and upper extremities (caused by pressure on blood vessels), fatigue, loss of appetite and / or loss of weight

If the cancer originated and grew at the top of the lung, the symptoms may include: Pancoast’s syndrome (weakness and pain in the shoulder, arm and hand, caused by pressure on the nerves)

If the cancer has metastasized and traveled to other parts of the body, the symptoms may include:   Metastasis to brain: headache, weakness, behavioral changes, speech problems and memory lapses, Metastasis to other parts: pain, bone fractures, jaundice and blood clots. Additionally, lung tumors also may alter the production of hormones (called Paraneoplastic syndrome) that regulate body functions, causing: breast enlargement in males, bone and joint pain, Cushing’s syndrome (overproduction of corticosteroid hormones), Carcinoid syndrome (excess of serotonin hormone in the body), Hypercalcemia