It is the leading cause of death from cancer in both men and women. There are two main types of lung cancer: small-cell lung cancer and non-small-cell lung cancer. Small-cell lung cancer is less likely to spread to other parts of the body.
Lung cancer symptoms can be hard to identify in the early stages. Most of the time, symptoms don’t show up until the cancer has spread throughout the lungs. Shortness of breath, chest pain, bloody sputum, and unexplained weight loss are common symptoms of lung cancer. Some people may also develop visible lumps, bone pain, or jaundice. Symptoms can also be subtle or may only be apparent if the cancer has spread.
During the early stages, lung cancer has a better chance of being treated successfully. Although early-stage cancer often doesn’t cause any symptoms, it may spread to the lymph nodes. When diagnosed, treatment can be tailored to the stage of the disease. It may be detected by a chest x-ray, CT scan, or other diagnostic procedures. When possible, the healthcare team will also perform a biopsy of the cancer to assess the extent of the disease.
The two main types of lung cancer are NSCLC and SCC. The former type usually begins in the cells that produce mucus and tends to grow more slowly than other types of lung cancer. The latter type starts in the nerve or hormone-producing cells of the lungs. Cancer cells may be squamous cell carcinoma. If the latter type develops, it will usually spread to lymph nodes and bones. Both types of cancer can be deadly.
In addition to surgery, medical specialists may offer complementary therapies. These alternative therapies should be used under the supervision of a licensed integrative physician. The biggest challenge to lung cancer survivorship is coping with the uncertainty surrounding the disease’s prognosis. Lung cancer survivors may never fully recover from their disease. Treatment options may not prevent the disease from returning, but they can take control of how they live and how they are treated. This is a process that will be different for each patient, but it can be done.
Lung cancer has a higher prevalence in white non-Hispanic people than among other races. Indigenous people, Asian people, and Hispanics are all at lower risk. African American women, on the other hand, are significantly less likely to get the disease than white men. Although the overall prevalence of lung cancer has decreased over the last few decades, some people still develop it. The type of lung cancer you develop will determine whether you have a favorable prognosis.
Non-small-cell lung cancer usually grows more slowly than small-cell lung cancer. Small-cell lung cancer often metastasizes before it can be diagnosed. Small-cell cancer is harder to treat because it is more difficult to stop after it has spread to other parts of the body. Nearly 90 percent of lung cancer cases are caused by smoking. Other factors that may contribute to lung cancer include drinking arsenic-rich water and radiation therapy.
