Lung cancer: Symptoms, causes, treatment

  Lung cancer is a dangerous disease that is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths worldwide. It develops when cells in the lungs begin to divide uncontrollably and spread to other parts of the body. In this article, we will discuss the symptoms, causes and treatment of lung cancer.

   What is lung cancer?

  Lung cancer is a cancer that starts in the lungs. There are two main types of lung cancer: non-small cell, which is the most common and usually grows and spreads more slowly than the other type, i.e. small cell cancer, which spreads faster and is more common in smokers.

   Symptoms of lung cancer

Symptoms of lung cancer can vary from person to person and depend on the type of cancer, stage, size and location. Some common symptoms are:

• A cough that does not go away or gets worse

• Chest pain that is constant or worsens when breathing deeply or coughing

• Hemoptysis

• Shortness of breath

• Weakness or fatigue

• Loss of appetite and weight loss

• Hoarseness

• Difficulty swallowing

  
  

   Causes of lung cancer

The primary risk factor for lung cancer is smoking, which accounts for about 85% of lung cancer cases. Other risk factors include:

• Exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke

• Exposure to radon, a natural radioactive gas of terrestrial origin

• Exposure to asbestos and certain metals like chromium, cadmium and arsenic

• Exposure to certain chemicals and air pollutants

• Family history of lung cancer

• Older age, as most people diagnosed with lung cancer are 65 or older

  
  

   Treatment for lung cancer

Treatment for lung cancer may include one or a combination of different methods, including:

• Surgery: Surgery is often used if the cancer is confined to one lung and has not spread to other parts of the body. It may involve removing part of a lung, one lung or parts of both lungs.

• Radiation therapy: Radiation therapy involves using radiation to destroy cancer cells. It can be used after surgery to destroy any remaining cancer cells, or as the main treatment in cases where surgery is not possible.

• Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is a drug treatment that destroys cancer cells. It can be used before surgery to reduce the size of the tumor, after surgery to destroy any remaining cancer cells, or as the main treatment in cases where surgery is not possible.

• Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy is a type of treatment that stimulates the immune system to fight cancer. It is used to treat certain types of lung cancer.

  
  

  In summary, lung cancer is a serious condition that requires immediate treatment. If you experience any symptoms suggestive of lung cancer, consult your doctor immediately. Early detection and treatment of lung cancer can greatly improve prognosis and survival rates.