This fluid may contain cancerous cells and can cause shortness of breath. Treatments can drain the fluid and reduce the risk of pleural effusion, a condition where cancerous cells have spread outside of the lung. Lung cancer can spread to other parts of the body, such as the liver and adrenal glands.
Various tests may be used to diagnose and treat the disease. A bronchoscopy, which uses a thin tube to view the airways, is one option. Endobronchial ultrasound, which uses a thin, lighted tube to visualize lymph nodes inside the chest, is another option. MRI of the brain, which can evaluate the extent of tumor spread, is another option for advanced cases of lung cancer. Surgical procedures may be necessary to remove the tumor.
Treatment for early-stage lung cancer can include radiation therapy and chemotherapy. A combination of radiation therapy and chemotherapy can be used to treat patients who are inoperable. The effectiveness of these treatments depends on the stage of the disease. Radiation is the most common treatment for early-stage lung cancer, but treatment with radiation may be more effective if the disease has not spread to lymph nodes. If the disease has spread to lymph nodes, however, chemotherapy and radiation treatment may be necessary.
The progression of the disease may lead to the development of other symptoms. The prognosis for patients with advanced lung cancer is not good. About a third of patients with advanced cancer have tumors that have spread throughout the blood stream. They are typically treated with chemotherapy and radiation therapy. It is important to note that a lung resection carries a high mortality rate and should be performed only when a cure is not possible. When cancer cells have spread to the lymph nodes, they will grow out of control and cause a tumor.
People with faulty DNA repair mechanisms are more likely to develop lung cancer than others. People with these faulty genes are more vulnerable to exposure to toxins and radiation. Additionally, some non-small cell lung cancers make excessive amounts of the EGFR protein. This type of cancer tends to develop in young Asian women and has been found to be associated with almost 60% of metastatic NSCLCs. The disease is usually diagnosed through a combination of different diagnostic procedures, including imaging and biomarker tests.
As mentioned above, smoking is the primary risk factor for lung cancer. It is important to note, however, that the condition does not affect all smokers. People who smoke are more likely to get the disease if they are exposed to other risk factors. While genetics can also play a role, many nonsmokers have a greater risk of getting lung cancer. It is even possible for non-smokers to develop the disease if they are exposed to other risk factors, such as air pollution and air pollutants. This is rare, but it is possible to get the disease even if you never smoke.
