Lungs cancer

Cancer is a disease that is caused by out of control cell growth. Lung cancer is caused when this out of control cell growth occurs in lungs. These grown cells don’t develop into healthy lung tissues rather they form masses of tissues called tumors. These tumors disturb main functions of lungs. If these tumors remain untreated they cause lung cancer .Most cancers that start in lung, known as primary lung cancers.

More dangerous tumors form when it originates in some part of body and move to other part through blood circulation. When tumors move to other part, spread itself, grows and starts destroying other healthy cells it is said to have metastasized. This is also called metastasis; it results in more serious condition.

There are two forms of lung cancer. First form is when it originates in the lungs and it is called Primary. Second form is when it originates somewhere else in the body and metastasized to lungs. These two are different in diagnostic and treatment.

Causes of lung cancer

Tobacco smoke

Genetic factors

Radon gas

Air pollution

Secondhand smoke.

Symptoms of lung cancer are

Continuous coughing

Pain in chest

Difficulty in breathing

Blood in sputum

Harsh sounds while breathing

Pneumonia.

Diagnosis of lung cancer

Chest radiography

Computed tomography (CT scan)

Biopsy

Its treatment depends on the history of cancer, stage and the patients’ general condition. Mostly it is treated through surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy .its treatment depend upon the type of cancer i.e., non small cell lung carcinoma and small cell lung cancer. NSCLC accounts for 80%of total lung cancer while other type accounts for remaining 20%.

Survival of the patient depends on the stage and overall health. Overall 14% of the patients diagnosed survive nearly five years after diagnosis.

To prevent this type of cancer we should ban smoking individually and also in public places, controlling air pollution, regular medical checkups etc.