Stage 0 cancer has a tumor that is smaller than 4 centimeters. Stage 2 has spread to the diaphragm. Stage 3 lung cancer is characterized by tumors that have spread to lymph nodes. Symptoms may include chest pain, cough, and shortness of breath.
Non-small cell lung cancer, or NSCLC, affects 85 percent of people diagnosed with the disease. It is most commonly found in women and begins in cells that produce mucus. It can lead to a chronic cough. Around 50% of NSCLC cases are adenocarcinoma. However, there are many other types of lung cancer. ASCO Answers Fact Sheet describes various types of NSCLC. Regardless of type, treatment options will vary depending on the location of the cancer.
While high-quality CT scans are important for diagnosis, MRIs of the chest can be more accurate. MRIs of the chest can reveal the blood flow to tumors and surrounding tissues. Lung cancer survival rates, for example, show the percentage of people who survive five years after diagnosis. A five-year survival rate of 61 percent means that approximately half of people diagnosed with lung cancer are still alive five years after diagnosis. However, such a rate doesn’t take into account many other factors that affect the course of the disease, so it can’t predict a patient’s life span.
Genetics are also thought to play a role in lung cancer development. Certain mutations in the TP53 gene result in an altered p53 protein that cannot bind to DNA and regulate cell division, allowing DNA damage to accumulate in cells. If these mutations occur in the lung, the cells can continue to divide uncontrollably, leading to tumor growth. Another factor influencing the likelihood of developing lung cancer is an abnormal EGFR gene. This type of cancer is more common in young Asian women and is also found in 60 percent of metastatic NSCLCs.
Although lung cancer treatment options have improved in recent years, a person’s treatment should be determined by the type of lung cancer. Different types of lung cancer respond to different treatments. For example, some patients’ tumours test positive for EGFR or ALK mutations, and drug treatments matched to these mutations can be more effective than chemotherapy or radiation. By targeting the exact mutation responsible for the cancer’s growth, targeted therapies can significantly improve the chances of successful treatment.
When lung cancer causes overproduction of ADH (antidiuretic hormone), the body’s response to the hormone is different. SIADH causes the kidneys to hold water, resulting in lower blood salt levels. Other symptoms include muscle weakness, nausea, and fatigue. Additionally, lung cancer can cause several other conditions. If the cancer has spread to the brain, it may cause syndromes like Horner’s syndrome and superior vena cava syndrome. In addition to lung cancer, Pancoast tumors may affect the nerves in the face and eyes.
