Lung cancer is the world’s deadliest cancer, silently claiming around 2 million lives around the globe every year. The most frightening part is that it often shows no symptoms until it has reached an advanced stage, when treatment becomes far more difficult, and survival rates drop dramatically. Yet, knowledge is power. The more we know what causes it and how it shows up in the body, the better chance we have to stop it.
Whether you’re a health-conscious individual, a caregiver, or simply curious about your lung health, this comprehensive guide breaks down everything you need to know about lung cancer symptoms and causes in plain, impactful language.
What Is Lung Cancer?
Lung cancer is not just a “smoker’s disease.” It is a disease in which cells inside the body start growing. Usually, body cells divide to make new cells, as it is a natural process. Still, for specific reasons, that division sometimes turns into a mutation that leads to uncontrollable cell multiplication, leading to tumours that can spread to different body parts. Lungs are essential for breathing and are highly vulnerable to harmful and toxic substances like smoking and pollution, and sometimes, even genetically, they are damaged.
Lung cancer begins in the tissues of the lungs, often in the bronchi, bronchioles, or alveoli, where air exchange occurs. When cancer spreads to other parts of the body from the place of its origin, it is called metastatic cancer.
What Are The Types Of Lung Cancer?
There are many types of cancer, this one is called lung cancer because it begins and initially damages the lungs. It comes in two primary forms: non-small and small-cell lung cancer.
1. Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC) is the most common type, which makes up around 85% of all lung cancer cases. It grows and spreads more slowly than small lung cancer. Common NSCLC types include adenocarcinoma, squamous, and large-cell carcinoma.
2. Small-Cell Lung Cancer
Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is a fast-growing cancer and is hard to treat as compared to non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). It is linked with smoking and often begins as a small tumour that rapidly spreads to other parts of the body, making early detection and treatment crucial for better results. Subtypes include small cell carcinoma and combined small cell carcinoma.
3. Other Types Of Cancers In The Lungs
Not all cancers that are found in the lungs can be classified as lung cancer. Sometimes, cell overgrowth starts from nearby tissues, such as lymphomas in the lymph nodes, sarcomas in bones or soft tissue, and pleural mesothelioma, which is caused by asbestos exposure and affects the lung lining. Another cancer related to the lung is sporadic carcinoid tumours. These are not called lung cancers, but can affect the lungs heavily.
Stages Of Lung Cancer
Lung cancer starts slowly and steadily in stages; each stage is an indication of how far it has spread and how serious it is. NSCLC IS STAGED FROM stage 0 to stage 1v based on the size of the tumor and how far it has spread in the body:
Stage 0(In situ): This is the starting phase, in which cancer is limited to the surface lining of the lung or bronchus and doesn’t spread deeper into the lungs or elsewhere.
Stage 1: Cancer doesn’t spread outside the lungs or to lymph nodes. It can be divided into IA and IB based on tumour size.
Stage 2: Cancer is larger than stage 1 and may spread to nearby lymph nodes within the lungs or the chest wall. There can be multiple tumours in the same lobe.
Stage 3: Cancer is larger than stage 2, in which the tumour size increases and has spread to nearby lymph nodes or tissues like the heart, trachea, or oesophagus. It may involve multiple tumours in different parts of the lungs.
Stage 4: Cancer has spread to different body parts, such as the brain, liver, bones, or the other lung, as well as fluid around the lungs or heart.
Limited And Extensive Stage
Small cell lung cancer is described in four stages, from I to IV, but it can also be described as a limited or extensive stage, based on whether it can be treated with a single radiation.
Limited Stage:
- Cancer is confined to one lung.
- It may have spread to nearby lymph nodes within the chest area.
Extensive Stage:
- Cancer spreads to the other lung, distant lymph nodes, or other organs in the body.
- Spread in different parts of the body far from the original tumour site.
Symptoms Of Lung Cancer
Symptoms of lung cancer are not very visible in the initial stages, but as it progresses, various signs may appear. If any individual has lung cancer, then there are specific symptoms that they can experience:
- A cough that doesn’t go away or worsen with time.
- Shortness of breath
- Blood in the cough
- Chest pain that worsens with breathing or coughing
- Sudden weight loss and loss of appetite
- Fatigue and exhaustion
- Frequent lung infections, such as bronchitis or pneumonia.
- Bone pain, especially in the back or hips.
- Swelling in the face or neck, or the shoulder.
- Headaches or dizziness( if cancer has spread to the brain)
Lung Cancer Symptoms On Skin
- Skin starts becoming yellow.
- Unexplained lumps under the skin.
- Dry and itchy skin.
- Skin easily gets bruised.
- Pale or bluish skin.
- In some rare cases, there are dark patches on the skin.
What Are The First Signs Of Lung Cancer?
A cough or pneumonia that keeps recurring or breathlessness that doesn’t improve after treatment can sometimes be early signs of lung cancer, though they look like minor health issues. Other warning signs include chest pain, unexplained weight loss, and hoarseness, which progresses silently over time.
These symptoms are often overlooked or mistaken for colds or respiratory infections. Initially, lung cancer may not show clear signs until later stages, but early symptoms, no matter how mild they are, should not be ignored, especially if you are feeling discomfort daily. Paying attention to them early can make a huge difference in successful diagnosis and treatment.
What Causes Lung Cancer?
Lung cancer begins when normal lung cells lose control of how they grow and divide. Instead of following the body’s natural cell repair and replacement rhythm, damaged cells multiply and grow nonstop. This cell growth starts forming tumours, invades nearby tissue, and affects other body organs.
The biggest trigger for these changes is the exposure to harmful and toxic substances over time, such as cigarette smoke. With every puff, the poisonous substance makes your lungs more vulnerable to damage. Other contributors, like secondhand smoke, radon gas, asbestos, and air pollution, slowly start to chip away at healthy lung cells.
Lung cancer isn’t always preventable, as lifestyle and environmental exposure play a significant role. Still, sometimes genetic factors also play an essential role, such as the family history of disease or inherited mutations that increase the chances of lung cancer even in a healthy individual.
Other Risk Factors For Lung Cancer
| Risk factors | Level of risk |
| Smoking | Very High |
| Radon Exposure | High |
| Family History | Moderate To High |
| Age Over 50 | Increased Risk With Age |
| Occupational Exposure | Moderate To High |
| Urban Air Pollution | Moderate, Higher In Polluted Regions |
| Previous Lung Disease | Elevated Risk |
How Common Is Lung Cancer?
Lung cancer is the third most common cancer in the US, affecting both men and women. With around 2 million new cases reported each year, it remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide.
Can You Also Be Affected By Lung Cancer If You Are A Non-Smoker?
While smoking is the most significant risk factor, around 1 in 5 people diagnosed with lung cancer have never smoked a day in their lives. So, it is essential to pay attention to the symptoms. If you feel something is off, consult your doctor and have a proper checkup.
Lung Cancer Diagnosis And Test
Diagnosing lung cancer starts when someone shows continuous symptoms like a long-term cough, chest pain, or difficulty breathing. Initially, the doctor will suggest a physical exam and ask about your medical history, such as whether you are a smoker or have been exposed to harmful substances or environments.
If there is any suspicion of lung cancer or if your healthcare provider feels it’s necessary, more imaging tests will be conducted, such as a chest X-ray or CT scan. These tests are done to spot abnormal growth of cells in the lungs. If anything suspicious appears, a biopsy will be done, where a small sample of lung tissue is removed for lab testing.
Depending on the case, this tissue can be collected with the help of a thin tube through the airways (bronchoscopy), a needle through the chest wall (needle biopsy), or during surgery. After confirmation, other tests like PET or MRI will be performed to see if the cancer has spread to other organs or to determine at which stage the cancer has reached.
Can Lung Cancer Be Confirmed By A Chest X-Ray?
Through a chest X-ray, suspicious masses or abnormalities in the lungs can be detected, but it is still not the most accurate tool for detecting lung cancer, especially in the initial phase. Tumours can be too small in size or sometimes hidden behind the ribs, making them undetectable by X-ray. This can only provide an indication if something is unusual.
Tests Used To Diagnose Lung Cancer
When lung cancer is suspected, the doctor will recommend some tests to confirm the presence of cancer, determine its spread, and at what stage it has reached. Several tests will be performed:
1- Blood Tests
Through a blood test alone, we cannot detect lung cancer, but it will provide you with an overview of the organs and how they are functioning and can offer clues that support the diagnosis. A blood test is the first step to assess overall health.
2- Imaging Scans
Chest X-Ray & CT Scan: Chest X-ray and CT scan are the first imaging tests usually done by doctors to check for any changes in the shape of the lungs or the presence of a lump or shadow. A CT scan provides a more precise and more detailed image of the lungs, helping detect abnormalities.
PET/CT Scan: This is an advanced imaging technique that highlights areas where cells are growing actively and helps determine whether cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
3- Biopsy Procedures
A biopsy is crucial to confirm lung cancer. In this process, the doctor will examine a small tissue or fluid sample from your lungs under a microscope. This method helps determine if the cell overgrowth is cancerous, and if so, what type of cancer it is and at what stage it has reached.
Some Standard Biopsies That Are Used Include:
1- Needle Biopsy: In this method, the doctor will use a needle inserted through the chest wall to collect tissue or fluid from the lungs.
2- Bronchoscopy: A flexible tube with a camera is inserted through the mouth or nose into the airways to take a view of the lung and to collect samples.
3- Thoracoscopy or VATS(Video-assisted Thoracic Surgery): In this method, with the help of minimally invasive surgery, the doctor collects tissue samples.
4- Thoracentesis: In this method, the doctor draws out the fluid with the help of a needle to test the cancer cells.
5- Endobronchial Ultrasound(EBUS) OR Endoscopic Esophageal Ultrasound(EUS): In this method, the doctor collects samples from lymph nodes near the lungs and oesophagus to determine the spreading of cancer to other parts of the body.
6-Mediastinoscopy/Mediastinotomy: In this method, a surgical procedure is used to examine and collect tissue from the lungs(mediastinum) to check for signs of cancer.
– These surgical techniques give doctors a clear view of the area between your lungs (mediastinum), helping them collect tissue samples to check for signs of cancer.
4- Molecular Testing
After the biopsy is done, the doctor may run some additional tests to figure out any changes in specific genes. These genetic changes can provide important details about what’s driving the cancer. This test will help to identify the reason for the mutation and help doctors to choose treatment, especially for non-small lung cancer(NSCLC). Some gene mutations that doctors look out for include:
- EGFR
- KRAS
- ALK
- ROS1
- BRAF
- RET
- MET
- HER2
Management And Treatment
How Is Lung Cancer Treated?
Lung cancer treatment is done to eliminate the cancer cells, slow their growth, or stop their spread. While in some cases, treatments are done to physically remove the tumour, medication or advanced therapies are used to destroy cancer cells or enhance the immunity to fight them. Some medicines or therapies are used to ease symptoms and pain. Your treatment is dependent on which stage the cancer has reached or how far it has spread in the body..
1. Surgery
If lung cancer is detected in the early stage, then surgery can play a very important role, especially in the NSCLC. In this, the doctor may remove the tumour by taking out the affected area of the lung(lobectomy). Or, in a more serious case, the lung(pneumonectomy) is removed to stop its further spreading. The decision is made after evaluating the size, location, and stage of the tumour and the patient’s health and ability to undergo surgery.
If SCLC is limited to a single tumour, surgery is done, but if it has spread beyond, other methods are used to remove the cancerous cells from the body.
2. Radiofrequency Ablation
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a procedure that is used to destroy cancer cells in the lungs by using high-frequency electrical currents to heat. This method is used when cancer is in the initial stage, and the tumours are tiny or when surgery is not possible.
3. Radiation Therapy
Cancer cells are targeted in radiation therapy with the help of powerful beams of energy. This can be used as a primary treatment or alongside surgery for better results. It helps remove or reduce the size of tumours and relieve pain in advanced cases for both NSCLC and SCLC patients.
4. Chemotherapy
This method combines strong medications that are given through an IV to destroy cancer cells. It may be used before surgery to shrink the size of the tumour, after surgery to eliminate the remaining cells, or in advanced cases it is used as primary treatment.
5- Targeted Therapy
For certain types of lung cancers that have specific genetic mutations (EGFR or ALK), these targeted drugs are used to destroy the affected cells or to block their growth without harming the healthy ones. They are often taken as pills. Some other drugs, like as angiogenesis inhibitors, are used to stop tumours from forming new blood vessels, cutting blood supply to the cancerous cells and stopping their growth.
6. Immunotherapy
Usually, our immune system identifies and destroys the damaged or harmful cells. But cancer cells sometimes are undetectable and grow unchecked. Immunotherapy helps uncover these hidden cells, to our immune system and allows our body to fight them more efficiently and effectively. Immunotherapy is useful in treating advanced non-small cell lung cancer.
7. Palliative Care
For advanced-stage lung cancer, treatments are focused on symptoms rather than curing the disease. In this method main focus is on reducing tumour size if it blocks the airways and causes problems in breathing, or draining the fluid that is built up around the lungs. Basically, this treatment focused on relieving the pain, breathing difficulties, fatigue, and emotional distress, allowing the patient to feel more comfortable and peaceful.
Side Effects Of The Treatments
Lung cancer treatment is essential to destroy cancerous cells and fight the disease, but it comes with side effects as our body continuously starts losing its immunity and becomes weak, as cancer starts growing in the lungs. The side effects vary according to the type of treatment that a person has undergone. Your doctor will guide you and provide instructions on how you can manage them more effectively.
| Treatment | Side Effects |
| Surgery | Pain, tiredness, and breathing issues |
| Chemptherapy | Nausea, hair loss, weakness, and low immunity |
| Radiation | Tiredness, skin changes, cough, sore throat |
| Immunotherapy | Fever, tiredness, skin rash, inflammation |
| Targeted Therapy | Diarrhoea, skin issues, high BP. liver changes |
| Palliative Care | Temporary pain, infection pain, relief-focused |
Prevention
How Can I Prevent Lung Cancer?
Lung cancer can be prevented by making healthy lifestyle choices and by reducing exposure to the risk factors. Some of the ways in which you can prevent lung cancer:
- Quit smoking, or if you don’t smoke, then don’t start.
- Avoid secondhand smoke and avoid toxic substances that can damage your lungs.
- Avoid exposure to harmful and toxic chemicals.
- Eat a healthy diet.
- Add more physical activity to your daily routine and try to keep yourself more active by exercising.
- Get regular health checkups.
Lung Cancer Screening
Purpose: Helps in detecting cancer early, if symptoms are not visible.
– Who should get screened: Adults aged 50-80 and especially those who are heavy smokers.
– Main test used: Low-dose computed tomography(LDCT).
– Benefits: Early diagnosis reduces the risk of cancer spreading further and successfully treats cancer.
– Risks: Possible false positives and exposure to radiation.
Consult Your Doctor: Before screening, take advice from your doctor to know if screening is right for you based on the risk factors according to your health and cancer stage.
Prognosis
What Are The Chances Of Survival In Lung Cancer?
Lung cancer survival rates totally depend on the type of cancer and how early it is diagnosed. NSCLC grows slowly and can be treated early as compared to SCLC, which spreads very quickly without showing many symptoms and is more aggressive.
– Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer(NSCLC)
If NSCS is still confined to the lung and detected early before it spreads to another part of the body, then about 6 in 10 people may survive for 5 years or more.
– Small Cell Lung Cancer(SCLC)
This spreads very quickly, so survival rates are very low compared to NSCLC. But if it is detected early, when it is limited to one lung only, nearby lymph nodes, then survival rates can reach up to 30%. But if it has already spread further, then in that scenario, survival rates are very low.
Can Lung Cancer Spread Quickly?
Lung cancer spreads very quickly, especially SCLC. Till the time symptoms were seen because of its rapid growth, it often spreads to other organs like the brain, liver, bones, or adrenal glands.
What Can Be Expected If I Have Lung Cancer?
After a lung cancer diagnosis, many factors will affect your life, the type of cancer or which stage it has reached. If lung cancer is detected in the early stage, then removing the tumour with surgery would be the first step, followed by other screenings. But for more advanced cancer stages, treatment will involve therapies and will continue till it becomes ineffective.
How To Take Care Of A Person Who Has Lung Cancer?
- Listen to your doctor’s recommendations, and don’t miss out on your regular checkups.
- If you see any changes in your symptoms, then notify your doctor.
- Have a proper and balanced meal to provide the needed energy and strengthen your immunity.
- Stay active, perform gentle exercises, and don’t push yourself harder.
- Keep your mood relaxed and stress-free, and seek emotional support when needed.
- Have a proper rest and sleep routine as it aids recovery.
- Avoid overcrowded places.
Conclusion
Lung cancer is a silent killer that often whispers. Consistent cough, exhaustion, fatigue, and shortness of breath seem normal, but ignoring them can cost your life. Paying attention to these small things can make a huge difference in your health. If you feel like something is wrong, then don’t ignore the signs.
Frequently Asked Questions?
1. What are the metastatic lung cancer symptoms?
Metastatic lung cancer means that the cancer has spread to another part of the body from the lungs. Symptoms can vary depending on which areas are mostly affected by it. But here are some common signs that can help in identifying:
- Weight loss and tiredness
- Persistent cough or bloody cough
- Regular headaches or dizziness if it has spread to the brain.
- Bone pain if it spreads in the bone.
- Jaundice or abdominal swelling occurs if the liver is affected.
- Swollen lymph nodes, especially in the neck.
2-What are the symptoms of lung cancer in women?
- Consistent dry cough
- Problem in breathing
- Chest or back pain
- Unexplained fatigue
- Sudden weight loss
- Hoarseness or change in voice
- Frequent respiratory infections
3- What areas of the body can be affected by lung cancer pain?
Lung cancer pain areas can include the chest, back, and shoulders; or, if the cancer has spread to nerves or nearby structures, it can cause pain in the bones, ribs, spine, or hips. You may experience headaches or other neurological symptoms if it has reached the brain.
4- Is white phlegm a sign of lung cancer?
White phlegm is not a definitive sign of lung cancer, but it can be a symptom. It can be a warning sign for symptoms like consistent coughing, chest pain, or breathlessness.
5- Which food is not suitable for lung cancer?
- Avoid sugar, sodium, and unsaturated fats.
- Limit the intake of processed meats, refined carbohydrates, and red meat.
- Avoid greasy, fried, or spicy food, as it can cause inflammation and digestive discomfort.
- Minimise alcohol and sugary foods to avoid any side effects during treatments.
