The cancerous growth or cancer cells arising in the tissue of the lungs is known as lung cancer. The condition has the highest mortality rate among all the other cancer deaths. People who smoke cigarettes or similar tobacco products are at high risk of having lung cancer. Symptoms of lung cancer are nonspecific until the advance stage is reached. The common symptoms are wheezing, coughing blood, chest pain, and undefined weight loss.
The treatment of lung cancer depends mainly on the stage of the condition and location of cancer, and the age of the patient. For early diagnosed cases, specialists can perform surgical removals such as pulmonary lobectomy, wedge resection, and video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. In severe cases, pneumonectomy or a removal of a part of the lung is performed. The surgery is then followed by a targeted drug therapy, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and immunotherapy. Palliative care is important as the patient’s breathing has to be supported superficially. An experienced team of pulmonologists along with cardiothoracic surgeons, and medical and radiation oncologists are required for a complete diagnosis and treatment. Imaging tests for initial investigations include bronchoscopy, FNAC, X-ray and CT scan that can reveal abnormal mass and growth in the lungs. Specialists also have to study sputum cytology and biopsy for a firmer diagnosis and examination. The 5-year survival rate for lung cancer cases remains around 20%.
