Lung cancer

Lung cancer is a disease where abnormal cells grow out of control in one or both lungs. These cells form tumors that can interfere with your ability to breathe and get oxygen into your blood. It is one of the most common cancers worldwide and a leading cause of cancer deaths.

There are two main types of lung cancer. Non-small cell lung cancer makes up about 85% of cases and grows more slowly. Small cell lung cancer is less common but spreads more quickly. Both types can occur in different parts of the lung and may spread to other organs if not detected early.

Your lungs are responsible for bringing oxygen into your body and removing carbon dioxide. When cancer develops in lung tissue, it damages this vital exchange. Early detection improves treatment outcomes significantly. Understanding your risk factors and getting appropriate screening can help catch lung cancer at a more treatable stage.

• A cough that does not go away or gets worse over time
• Chest pain that worsens with deep breathing, coughing, or laughing
• Coughing up blood or rust-colored spit
• Shortness of breath or wheezing
• Hoarseness or changes in your voice
• Frequent lung infections like bronchitis or pneumonia
• Feeling tired or weak without explanation
• Loss of appetite or unexplained weight loss
• Bone pain, especially in the back or hips
• Headaches, dizziness, or balance problems if cancer has spread

Many people with early-stage lung cancer have no symptoms at all. This is why screening is so important for people at high risk. Symptoms often appear only after the cancer has grown or spread to other parts of the body.

Smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer, responsible for about 80 to 90% of cases. Tobacco smoke contains more than 70 cancer-causing chemicals. The longer you smoke and the more cigarettes you smoke each day, the higher your risk. Secondhand smoke also increases risk, even if you never smoked yourself.

Other risk factors include exposure to radon gas, asbestos, and certain metals like chromium. Occupational exposure to chromium(VI) is particularly concerning for workers in welding, chrome plating, and manufacturing industries. Air pollution, family history of lung cancer, and previous radiation therapy to the chest also raise your risk. Some people develop lung cancer without any known risk factors, though this is less common.

Lung cancer is typically diagnosed through imaging tests like chest X-rays or CT scans. If a suspicious area is found, doctors perform a biopsy to examine cells under a microscope. Low-dose CT screening is recommended for people aged 50 to 80 who have a heavy smoking history and currently smoke or quit within the past 15 years.

Blood tests can sometimes help identify exposure to cancer-causing substances like chromium. While blood work alone cannot diagnose lung cancer, it may reveal risk factors or detect changes in your body that warrant further investigation. Talk to a doctor if you have symptoms or significant risk factors. They can recommend the appropriate screening tests and imaging studies for your situation.

• Surgery to remove the tumor or part of the lung affected by cancer
• Radiation therapy to kill cancer cells using high-energy beams
• Chemotherapy medications that destroy cancer cells throughout the body
• Targeted therapy drugs that attack specific mutations in cancer cells
• Immunotherapy to help your immune system recognize and fight cancer
• Quitting smoking immediately to improve treatment outcomes and survival
• Pulmonary rehabilitation to improve breathing and physical function
• Nutritional support to maintain strength during treatment
• Pain management and palliative care to improve quality of life
• Clinical trials offering access to new treatment approaches