Lung cancer is one of the most common forms of cancers that develop due to abnormalities in the lungs or bronchi. Though people who smoke are at greater risk for the disease, especially female smokers, but it can happen to even those who never smoked. 

Symptoms of lung cancer

It is advisable to visit a doctor when the following symptoms are observed –

• coughing
• coughing up phlegm, mucus, or blood 
• chest pain
• shortness of breath
• loss of appetite
• fatigue

Types of lung cancer

Broadly, there are two types of lung cancer –

Small cell lung cancer – It grows and spread quickly and can be treated with chemotherapy at Premier Oncology

Non-small cell lung cancer – It is common than the small cell lung cancer and can be treated nothing but, surgery.

Lung cancer risk factors

20% of smokers diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer never smoked. However, the main reasons for lung cancer are –

• Smoking or excess of tobacco consumption.
• Non-smokers exposed to the smoke of others.
• Exposure to asbestos or radon.

Quitting smoking enhances effective results from chemotherapy.

For people with a long smoking history of but have quit recently, and those who’ve been smoking continuously are 10-20% prone to lung cancer.

Lung cancer diagnosis

The first sign of lung cancer is when you find a suspicious spot on a chest x-ray or a CT scan. But only an x-ray doesn’t confirm the existence of the disease. Another step would be to get a tissue sample by performing a biopsy and the doctors at the Premier Oncology examine the tissue under a microscope to determine whether the cells are cancerous. The shape and other features of the cell help in understanding the stage of the tumor and accordingly treatment is suggested. Each type of lung cancer responds differently and their analysis certainly helps with the drugs, chemotherapy, radiation, and other treatment methodologies.