Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in both men and women. It is divided into two main types: small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer, which accounts for 85% of lung cancers. The greatest risk factors are smoking and exposure to radon gas or other carcinogens. Symptoms often appear at later stages and include coughing or coughing up blood. Diagnosis involves imaging tests, biopsies, and laboratory tests. Screening high-risk individuals with low-dose CT is the only proven method for early detection.
2. INTRODUCTION
Lung cancer is a cancer that forms in tissues of the lung, usually in the cells that
line the air passages. It is the leading cause of cancer death in both men and
women.
Lung cancer begins in the lungs and may spread to lymph nodes or other organs
in the body, such as the brain. Cancer from other organs also may spread to the
lungs.
3. Lung cancers are divided into 2 main types
Small cell lung cancer (SCLC): single histological category and is characterized by
its central location, rapid tumor growth, early metastasis, and association with
numerous paraneoplastic syndromes
Non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC): accounts for 85% of all lung cancers and has
multiple histological subtypes including adenocarcinoma and squamous cell
carcinoma
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5. PUBLIC HEALTH IMPORTANCE OF LUNG
CANCER
Lung cancer is often found at a late stage because symptoms go
undetected until the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. We
now know that early detection through screening can help people live
longer and live better, which is exactly the goal of public health.
Screening for lung cancer with a low dose CT (LDCT) scan is currently the
only proven method for detecting lung cancer at an early and treatable
stage
We should make sure that those at risk for the disease are informed
about their risk, have access to high quality screening programs and
receive follow up care after their screening.
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10. RISK FACTORS
Smoking. Your risk of lung cancer increases with the number of cigarettes you
smoke each day and the number of years you have smoked. Quitting at any age
can significantly lower your risk of developing lung cancer.
Exposure to secondhand smoke. Even if you don't smoke, your risk of lung
cancer increases if you're exposed to secondhand smoke.
Previous radiation therapy. If you've undergone radiation therapy to the chest
for another type of cancer, you may have an increased risk of developing lung
cancer.
11. Exposure to radon gas. Radon is produced by the natural breakdown of
uranium in soil, rock and water that eventually becomes part of the air you
breathe. Unsafe levels of radon can accumulate in any building, including
homes.
Exposure to asbestos and other carcinogens. Workplace exposure to
substances such as arsenic, chromium and nickel — can increase your risk of
developing lung cancer, especially if you're a smoker.
Family history of lung cancer. People with a parent, sibling or child with lung
cancer have an increased risk of the disease.
12. STAGES
Occult stage: Cancer cells can be picked up in the mucus during cough. The tumor can’t be seen
on imaging scans or a biopsy. It’s also called hidden cancer.
Stage 0: The tumor is very small. Cancer cells haven’t spread into the deeper lung tissues or
outside the lungs.
Stage I : Cancer is in the lung tissues but not the lymph nodes.
Stage II : The disease may have spread to the lymph nodes near the lungs.
Stage III : It has spread further into the lymph nodes and the middle of the chest.
Stage IV : Cancer has spread widely around the body. It may have spread to brain, bones, or
liver.
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14. CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS
Common clinical manifestations include
A cough that does not go away or gets worse
Coughing up blood or rust-colored sputum (spit or phlegm)
Chest pain that is often worse with deep breathing, coughing, or
laughing
Hoarseness
If lung cancer spreads to other parts of the body, it may cause:
Bone pain
Nervous system changes (such as headache, weakness or numbness
of an arm or leg, dizziness, balance problems, or seizures), from
cancer spread to the brain
Yellowing of the skin and eyes, from cancer spread to the liver
Swelling of lymph nodes
15. Horner syndrome
Cancers of the upper part of the lungs are sometimes called Pancoast tumors. In patients with
lung tumors, this results from invasion of the preganglionic neurons exiting the ventral spinal
roots. These tumors are more likely to be non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) than small cell lung
cancer (SCLC).
Pancoast tumors can affect certain nerves to the eye and part of the face, causing a group of
symptoms called Horner syndrome having symptoms like
Drooping or weakness of one upper eyelid
A smaller pupil in the same eye
severe shoulder pain.
16. DIAGNOSIS
LABORATORY TESTS
Blood tests- Blood tests helps us to find the complete blood count for checking Anemia, Thrombocytopenia, Neutropenia.
Sputum cytology- It helps to diagnose lung cancers that start in the major airways of the lung, such as most squamous cell
lung cancers. It may not be as helpful for finding other types of lung cancers.
BIOPSY
small amounts of tissue are removed for examination to find out if a person has lung cancer and, if so, which type of lung
cancer. Tissue biopsies are the only way to confirm a diagnosis of lung cancer.
IMAGING TESTS
X-ray
CT scan
MRI scan
PET scan
Bone scan
17. PREVENTION
Don’t smoke
Avoid secondhand smoke
Limit your intake of alcohol
Eat a diet full of fruits and vegetables
Exercise
Lower exposure of Radon gas
Avoiding carcinogens (in workspace)
18. DECISIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Limit the number of cigarettes taken everyday because sudden cessation of
smoking can be difficult for the smoker
Annual screening for lung cancer with LDCT must be done in adults aged 50 to
80 years who have a 20 pack-year smoking history and currently smoke or have
quit within the past 15 years.
Early stages of lung cancer have a better prognosis; thus early diagnosis of lung
cancer by screening programs is one way that leads to a reduction in lung cancer
mortality
Get your home tested for radon
