If you have ever coughed up blood, you should immediately see a doctor. Chronic coughing can be a symptom of lung cancer. In addition to the bloody spit-up, lung cancer can lead to hypercalcemia, which is an abnormally high level of calcium in the blood. In addition, tumors in the lung can block the airway, causing difficulty breathing and hoarseness. Additionally, people with lung cancer may experience chest pain when they cough or breathe deeply.
People with certain mutations in their DNA may be more prone to developing lung cancer. These mutations are not known to cause most cases, but they do increase the likelihood of developing the disease. People with certain chromosomes (chromosomes 6), for example, may be at greater risk for lung cancer. Those with chromosome 6 changes are more prone to developing lung cancer, despite being less likely to smoke. Others may inherit genes that reduce their ability to break down harmful chemicals in tobacco smoke.
Smoking is the number one risk factor for lung cancer. Smoking accounts for about 90% of all lung cancer cases. However, it can also be caused by secondhand smoke. The secondhand smoke from cigars and pipes increases your risk of developing lung cancer. People with lung cancer are also at higher risk if they are exposed to other risk factors. Quitting smoking and not breathing secondhand smoke may reduce your chances of developing lung cancer. In addition, quitting smoking significantly lowers your risk. Your lifetime risk of developing lung cancer will drop by half within 10 years.
Early detection of lung cancer is essential for beating the disease. X-rays can detect a suspicious mass in the lung. CT scans can detect smaller tumors. A biopsy may be required to confirm that the mass is cancerous. If the cancer is caught in its early stages, it is highly curable. Surgery may be the only treatment needed to remove the cancerous growth, but it may also require chemo or radiation therapy.
The disease is classified as regional or distant lung cancer. Lung cancer can spread to the lymph nodes in the chest and even distant organs. Adenocarcinoma is the most common type of lung cancer and is associated with exposure to asbestos. This type of cancer forms carcinoid tumors in hormone-producing cells within the lung. This type of cancer is often fast-growing and incurable. There are no proven treatments for mesothelioma, although it is associated with asbestos exposure.
Imaging tests can also help diagnose lung cancer. A plain x-ray of the chest can detect a tumor or mass, but more advanced imaging techniques are required to determine if it has spread to other parts of the lung. Computerized tomography (CT) scans use a computer and x-rays to create cross-sectional images of the inside of the body. A CT scan of the chest is important because it can show tumors that are too small to be detected by conventional x-rays and can also determine whether cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes.
