Lung cancer

Signs, Symptoms, and Diagnostic Techniques

• Early lung cancer often has no symptoms.
• Symptoms can include coughing, shortness of breath, or chest pain.
• Coughing may be a new cough or an increase in frequency or strength of a pre-existing cough.
• Around one in four people with lung cancer cough up blood.
• Shortness of breath is experienced by around half of those diagnosed with lung cancer.
• Chest X-ray is often performed as a first imaging test.
• CT scanning can reveal the size and location of tumors.
• A definitive diagnosis of lung cancer requires a biopsy of the suspected tissue.
• Histological examination of the biopsy confirms the presence of cancer cells.
• Some lung tumors may not be visible on X-ray.
• Fiberoptic bronchoscope, fine needle aspiration, imaging-guided biopsy, and liquid biopsy are diagnostic techniques.
• PET or PET-CT scanning can be used to locate metastases.
• MRI or CT scan can scan the brain for metastases.
• Biopsy of suspected metastasis is required to confirm cancer.

Metastasis and Symptoms

• Lung cancer can metastasize to various parts of the body.
• Brain metastases can cause headaches, nausea, seizures, and neurological deficits.
• Bone metastases can cause pain, fractures, and compression of the spinal cord.
• Liver metastases can cause liver enlargement, abdominal pain, and weight loss.
• Lung tumors can release hormones, leading to paraneoplastic syndromes with various symptoms.

Treatment Options

• Early stage lung cancer can be treated with surgery to remove the tumor.
• Radiation therapy and chemotherapy may be used after surgery to kill remaining cancer cells.
• Later stage lung cancer is treated with radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
• Drug treatments targeting specific cancer subtypes are also used.
• The survival rate for lung cancer is around 20% after five years of diagnosis.

Causes, Prevention, and Screening

• Most lung cancer cases are caused by tobacco smoking.
• Exposure to hazardous substances like asbestos and radon gas can also cause lung cancer.
• Genetic mutations can contribute to the development of lung cancer.
• Quitting smoking can reduce the risk of developing lung cancer.
• Lung cancer prevention efforts focus on avoiding hazardous chemicals and quitting smoking.
• High-risk individuals may be screened using low-dose CT lung scans.
• Screening programs can lead to early detection of lung tumors.
• Early detection can result in successful treatment and decreased mortality.
• Recommended intervals for lung cancer screening.

Classification, Staging, and Prognosis

• Two main types of lung cancer: SCLC and NSCLC.
• SCLC tumors found near the center of the lungs.
• NSCLC includes adenocarcinoma, squamous-cell carcinoma, and large-cell carcinoma.
• Adenocarcinoma is the most common type of lung cancer.
• Different subtypes and growth characteristics of lung cancer.
• SCLC staged as limited or extensive.
• NSCLC staged with TNM staging system.
• Tumor size and extent (T), spread to lymph nodes (N), and metastases (M) are scored.
• Stage groups based on T, N, and M scores.
• Different stages and subgroups based on T, N, and M scores.
• Prognosis for lung cancer is influenced by the stage at diagnosis.
• Early detection and treatment significantly improve the chances of survival.
• The specific cell type of lung cancer can affect prognosis and treatment options.
• Overall health and the presence of other medical conditions impact prognosis.
• Smoking cessation can improve prognosis and reduce the risk of developing a second lung cancer.

Lung cancer Data Sources