The third most prevalent cancer type and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the US is lung cancer. Males are most likely to develop it, and in the United States, Black men are about 12% more likely to do so than White men, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS).
Although not everyone who develops lung cancer has a history of smoking, smoking is a significant risk factor.
Although lung cancer can be fatal, the prognosis is getting better thanks to accurate diagnoses and treatments.
The definition of lung cancer, symptoms to look out for, and available lung carcinoma treatment are all covered in this article.
Symptoms
Lung cancer patients may not exhibit any symptoms until a more advanced stage. Signs of lung cancer may resemble those of a respiratory infection if they do manifest.
- Potential signs could be:
- voice modifications, such as hoarseness
- pneumonia and bronchitis, which are common chest infections,
- a persistent cough that may start to get worse chest pain swollen lymph nodes in the middle of the chest
- wheezing and breathing difficulties
Stages
Depending on how far it has spread throughout the body and how severe it is, cancer is staged. Healthcare professionals and patients can decide on the best course of treatment with the aid of staging.
- The most fundamental staging arrangement is as follows:
- cancer that is localized, or only present in a small area
- in cases where cancer has spread to tissues or lymph nodes nearby
- distant, with cancer having spread to other body parts
Complications
Lung cancer can lead to several complications as it advances. This might be the result of adverse reactions to specific cancer treatments or the metastasis—the spread of cancer—to other regions of the body.
The following are a few potential side effects of lung cancer:
- Metastasis: Lung cancer may spread to the brain, bones, and adrenal glands, among other organs in the body. With more advanced lung cancer stages, this occurs more frequently.
- Chest infections Due to lowered immune function, which can be brought on by cancer itself or some cancer treatments like chemotherapy, people with lung cancer are more likely to contract lung infections like pneumonia or bronchitis.
- Heart occlusion: Although it is uncommon, lung cancer can spread to the heart and constrict or obstruct the veins and arteries. This may result in complications like fluid retention, heart blockage, arrhythmias, or a heart attack.
Bottom Line
Although lung cancer can be fatal, people who are diagnosed with it early often have a good chance of surviving.
People who have a high risk of developing lung cancer may want to consider scheduling routine screenings. This can assist in identifying early warning signs and enable treatment before cancer spreads.
Anyone concerned about their potential for developing lung cancer should seek advice from a medical professional.
