What is Lung Cancer?
Lung cancer is a type of cancer that can form anywhere within the lungs or their surrounding places. It is caused by the uncontrolled growth of cells in the lung’s tissue. It is one of the most common cancers in both men and women. At the beginning of 2021, there were more than 235,760 million new cases of lung cancer reported worldwide. Even though lung cancer is extremely common, it’s also one of the deadliest types of cancers because it often goes unnoticed until it has already developed into an advanced stage and spread to other parts of the body.
How Cancer Affects Normal Functioning Of Lung?
The lungs are the organs in our body responsible for oxygenation. Oxygen is absorbed in the lungs and dissolved in the blood, which is then distributed to blood throughout the body. The lungs are also responsible for removing carbon dioxide, a by-product of human metabolism, from the bloodstream. These functions must be carried out effectively otherwise poor oxygenation will lead to fatigue, breathlessness during activity, and sleep deprivation which can significantly impact the quality of life.
Cancer can affect the normal functioning of the lungs because it can create masses in the chest cavity that disrupt healthy lung function. The most common type of cancer which affects lung function is Lung Cancer or Bronchial Carcinoma, which accounts for 90% of all lung cancers.
Symptoms Of Lung Cancer
The first signs and symptoms are usually a cough that lasts for three weeks or more, chest pain or discomfort, hoarseness or difficulty swallowing, shortness of breath or wheezing, coughing of blood (Hemoptysis), loss of appetite, and weight loss. Lung cancer can be classified into three stages: early-stage 1 or 2 for tumors that have not spread outside the lung, stage 3 for tumors that have spread to nearby lymph nodes on one side of the chest only, and stage 4 for tumors that have spread to remote parts of the body or outside the chest area.
Types Of Lung Cancer
Lung cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the lungs. There are two main types of lung cancer: Small cell and Non-small cell.
Small Cell Lung Cancer
Small cells cancers are rare and fast-growing. They often start in a part of the lung called the central bronchus, where there are a lot of thin airways. It may spread to other parts of the body. This form of cancer begins in a type of cell called a small cell. And it can be hard to diagnose because the symptoms are not always obvious. In some cases, people with small cell lung cancer may have an increased number of white blood cells or abnormal bone marrow cells in their bloodstream, which can be detected by blood tests.
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Non-small cell lung cancer is a type of lung cancer that begins in the lining of the air sacs. It is more common than small cell lung cancer. Non-small cell cancers tend to grow slowly, but they also have a high risk of spreading to other areas in the body if they are not treated early on. They typically start in an area near one of the larger airways or bronchi that carry air into or out from your lungs. Treatment options vary depending on the stage of development that the tumor was in when it was diagnosed, but long-term survival rates are poor for patients with advanced disease. It is crucial to consult the best lung cancer specialist in Pune or your city to start the treatment as early as possible.
Diagnosis Of Lung Cancer
You can’t diagnose lung cancer by looking at someone. But your doctor may be able to detect it by examining the patient, using X-rays, CT Scans, and more. The most important sign of lung cancer is a persistent cough that does not go away after treatment with antibiotics (or when no infection is present). Since there is no single test that can diagnose lung cancer for everyone, it’s important to take precautions and get regularly checked if you have any symptoms or risk factors that could indicate the presence of this disease. Feel free to connect to the best cancer doctor in Pune at Galaxy Care Care Hospital. We are a leading cancer hospital in Pune with a top-notch cancer diagnosis and treatment technology. Get in touch today!
