Lung cancer can be regional or distant, and it can spread to other parts of the body, such as the lymph nodes in the chest and distant organs. The most common type of lung cancer is adenocarcinoma, which often starts on the periphery of the lung. It can grow rapidly and may be small, medium, or large. Small cell lung cancer is rare, and it is primarily found in cigarette smokers, although it is rare in non-smokers.
Although lung cancer is incurable in its early stages, there is treatment available for patients with a higher risk of death. One accepted method of lung cancer treatment is lobectomy, which involves removing an entire lobe of the lung. The right lung has three lobes, while the left lung has two. The cancer is more common in older patients, and patients who smoke are more likely to develop it. The more advanced the disease is, the less benefit it offers.
Because lung cancer can spread to the heart, it can compress arteries and veins, causing fluid buildup in the heart, leading to an arrhythmia and even a heart attack. If the cancer is not caught in time, it can also elevate calcium levels in the blood, causing hypercalcemia. This condition can result in vomiting, abdominal pain, and excessive thirst. Patients with lung cancer may also experience pulmonary embolism, which is a type of blood clot that travels to the lungs.
A staged biopsy can help determine the type of treatment that is most effective. A limited stage involves a tumor that is only 4 centimeters in diameter, or less. It may have spread to other parts of the lung and lymph nodes. Stage 3 and four are considered invasive, and cancer cells have spread to distant parts of the body. However, non-small cell lung cancer is more common than small cell cancer. It can also spread to other organs, such as the brain and the bones.
In some cases, lung cancer can be treated with surgery. Invasive surgery to remove a tumor may be an option, but the risks associated with it are high. The surgeon may choose to remove the affected lung entirely. In addition to surgical procedures, patients may undergo a bronchoscopy to visualize the lymph nodes and biopsy the tumor. In advanced stages of lung cancer, doctors may also opt for an MRI of the brain to determine whether the tumor has spread to other parts of the body.
The pleura, a thin membrane covering the outside of the lung, is the first line of defense against cancer. Usually, a small amount of fluid lines the space between the lung and the chest wall. This fluid prevents the lungs from becoming stiff or swollen. Although the pleura is not a symptom of lung cancer, a growing tumor may damage surrounding tissue and cause hemoptysis (blood clots).
