{"id":2617,"date":"2023-01-31T20:44:12","date_gmt":"2023-01-31T20:44:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gray-dotterel-955238.hostingersite.com\/?page_id=2617"},"modified":"2023-05-08T21:51:46","modified_gmt":"2023-05-08T21:51:46","slug":"lung-cancer","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/draramideherbalcure.com\/index.php\/lung-cancer\/","title":{"rendered":"Lung Cancer"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

About lung cancer<\/span><\/h2>

Lung cancer is one of the most common and serious types of cancer.\u00a0<\/p>

There are usually no signs or symptoms in the early stages of lung cancer, but many people with the condition eventually develop symptoms including:<\/strong><\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u2666<\/span> <\/strong>a persistent cough<\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u2666<\/span> <\/strong>coughing up blood<\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u2666<\/span> <\/strong>persistent breathlessnes<\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u2666<\/span> <\/strong>unexplained tiredness and weight loss<\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u2666<\/span> <\/strong>an ache or pain when breathing or coughing<\/p>

Types of lung cancer<\/span><\/h2>

Cancer that begins in the lungs is called primary lung cancer. Cancer that spreads from the lungs to another place in the body is known as secondary lung cancer. This\u00a0page is about\u00a0primary lung cancer.<\/p>

There are 2 main types of primary lung cancer.\u00a0These are classified by the type of cells in which the cancer starts. They are:<\/strong><\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u2666<\/span> <\/strong>non-small-cell lung cancer \u2013 the most common type, accounting for more than 80% of cases; can be either squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma or large-cell carcinoma<\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u2666<\/span> <\/strong>small-cell lung cancer \u2013 a less common type that usually spreads faster than non-small-cell lung cancer<\/p>

The type of lung cancer you have determines which treatments are recommended.<\/p>

Who’s affected<\/span><\/h2>

Lung cancer mainly affects older people.\u00a0It’s\u00a0rare in people younger than 40, and the rates of lung cancer rise sharply with age. Lung cancer is most commonly\u00a0diagnosed in people aged 70\u00a0to 74.<\/p>

Although people who have never smoked can develop lung cancer, smoking is the main cause (accounting for over 85% of cases). This is because smoking involves regularly inhaling a number of different toxic substances.<\/p>

Treating lung cancer<\/span><\/h2>

Treatment depends on the type of cancer, how far it’s spread and how good your general health is.<\/p>

If the condition is diagnosed early and the cancerous cells are confined to a small area, surgery to remove the affected area of lung is usually recommended.<\/p>

If surgery is unsuitable due to your general health,\u00a0radiotherapy\u00a0to destroy the cancerous cells may be recommended instead.<\/p>

If the cancer has spread too far for surgery or radiotherapy to be effective,\u00a0chemotherapy\u00a0is usually used.<\/p>

Symptoms of lung cancer<\/span><\/h2>

Symptoms of lung cancer develop as the condition progresses and there are usually no signs or symptoms in the early stages.<\/p>

The main symptoms of lung cancer are:<\/strong><\/p>

\u2666<\/span> <\/strong>a\u00a0cough\u00a0that doesn\u2019t go away after 2 or 3 weeks<\/p>

\u2666<\/span> <\/strong>a long-standing cough that\u00a0gets worse<\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u2666<\/span> <\/strong>persistent\u00a0chest infections<\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u2666<\/span> <\/strong>coughing up blood<\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u2666<\/span> <\/strong>an ache or pain when breathing or coughing<\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u2666<\/span> <\/strong>persistent\u00a0breathlessness<\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u2666<\/span> <\/strong>persistent tiredness or lack of energy<\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u2666<\/span> <\/strong>loss of appetite or unexplained weight loss<\/p>

Less common symptoms of lung cancer include:<\/strong><\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u2666<\/span> <\/strong>changes in the appearance of your fingers, such as becoming more curved or their ends becoming larger (this is known as finger clubbing)<\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u2666<\/span> <\/strong>a high temperature (fever) of 38C (100.4F) or above\u00a0<\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u2666<\/span> <\/strong>difficulty swallowing\u00a0or pain when swallowing<\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u2666<\/span> <\/strong>wheezing<\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u2666<\/span> <\/strong>a hoarse voice\u00a0<\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u2666<\/span> <\/strong>swelling of your face or neck<\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u2666<\/span> <\/strong>persistent chest or shoulder pain<\/p>

Causes of lung cancer<\/span><\/h2>

Most cases of lung cancer are caused by smoking, although people who have never smoked can also develop the condition.<\/p>

Smoking<\/span><\/h2>

Smoking cigarettes is the single biggest risk factor for lung cancer.\u00a0It’s responsible for more than 85% of all cases.<\/p>

Tobacco smoke contains more than 60 different toxic substances, which can\u00a0lead to\u00a0the development of cancer. These substances are known to be carcinogenic (cancer-producing).<\/p>

If you smoke more than 25 cigarettes a day, you are 25 times more likely to get lung cancer than a non-smoker.<\/p>

While smoking cigarettes is the biggest risk factor, using other types of tobacco products can also increase your risk of developing lung cancer and other types of cancer, such as\u00a0oesophageal cancer\u00a0and\u00a0mouth cancer. These products include:<\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u2666<\/span> <\/strong>cigars<\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u2666<\/span> <\/strong>pipe tobacco<\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u2666<\/span> <\/strong>snuff (a powdered form of tobacco)<\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u2666<\/span> <\/strong>chewing tobacco<\/p>

Smoking cannabis has also been linked to an increased risk of lung cancer. Most cannabis smokers mix their cannabis with tobacco.\u00a0While they tend to smoke less than tobacco smokers, they usually inhale more deeply and hold the smoke in their lungs for longer.<\/p>

It’s been\u00a0estimated that smoking 4 joints (homemade cigarettes mixed with cannabis) may be as damaging to the lungs as smoking 20 cigarettes.<\/p>

Even smoking cannabis without mixing it with tobacco is potentially dangerous. This is because cannabis also contains substances that can cause cancer.<\/p>

Passive smoking<\/span><\/h2>

If you don’t smoke, frequent exposure to other people\u2019s tobacco smoke (passive smoking) can increase your risk of developing lung cancer.<\/p>

For example, research has found that non-smoking women who share their house with a smoking partner are 25% more likely to develop lung cancer than non-smoking women who live with a non-smoking partner.<\/p>

Radon<\/span><\/h2>

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that\u00a0comes from tiny amounts of uranium present in all rocks and soils. It can sometimes be found in buildings.<\/p>

If radon is breathed in, it can damage your lungs, particularly if you’re a smoker.\u00a0<\/p>

Occupational exposure and pollution<\/span><\/h2>

Exposure to certain chemicals and substances used in several occupations and industries has been linked to a slightly higher risk of developing lung cancer. These chemicals and substances include:<\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u2666<\/span> <\/strong>arsenic<\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u2666<\/span> <\/strong>asbestos<\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u2666<\/span> <\/strong>beryllium<\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u2666<\/span> <\/strong>cadmium<\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u2666<\/span> <\/strong>coal and coke fumes<\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u2666<\/span> <\/strong>silica<\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u2666<\/span> <\/strong>nickel<\/p>

Diagnosing lung cancer<\/span><\/h2>

Speak to your GP if you have\u00a0symptoms of lung cancer, such as breathlessness or a persistent cough.<\/p>

Your GP will ask about your general health and what symptoms you’ve been experiencing. They may examine you and ask you to breathe into a device called a spirometer, which measures how much air you breathe in and out.<\/p>

You may be asked to have a\u00a0blood test\u00a0to rule out some of the possible causes of your symptoms, such as a\u00a0chest infection.<\/p>

In 2015, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published\u00a0guidelines to help GPs recognise the signs and symptoms of lung cancer\u00a0and refer people for the right tests faster. To find out if you should be referred for further tests for suspected lung cancer.<\/p>

Chest X-ray<\/span><\/h2>

A chest\u00a0X-ray\u00a0is usually the first test used to diagnose lung cancer. Most lung tumours show up on X-rays as a white-grey mass.<\/p>

However, chest X-rays can’t give a definitive diagnosis because they often can’t distinguish between cancer and other conditions, such as a lung abscess (a collection of pus that forms in the lungs).<\/p>

If your chest X-ray suggests you may have lung cancer, you should be referred to a specialist (if you haven’t already) in chest conditions such as lung cancer. A specialist can carry out more tests to investigate whether you have lung cancer and, if you do,\u00a0what type it is\u00a0and how much it’s spread.<\/p>

CT scan<\/span><\/h2>

A\u00a0computerised tomography (CT) scan\u00a0is usually carried out after a chest X-ray. A CT scan\u00a0uses X-rays and a computer to create detailed images of the inside of your body.<\/p>

Before having a CT scan, you’ll be given an injection of a contrast medium. This is a liquid containing a dye that makes the lungs show up more clearly on the scan. The scan is painless and takes 10 to 30 minutes to complete.<\/p>

PET-CT scan<\/span><\/h2>

A PET-CT scan (which stands for\u00a0positron emission tomography-computerised tomography) may be carried out if the results of the CT scan show you have cancer at an early stage.<\/p>

The PET-CT scan can show where there are active cancer cells. This can help with diagnosis and treatment.<\/p>

Before having a PET-CT scan, you’ll be injected with a slightly radioactive material. You’ll be asked to lie down on a table, which slides into the PET scanner. The scan is painless and takes around 30 to 60 minutes.<\/p>

Bronchoscopy and biopsy<\/span><\/h2>

If the CT scan shows there might be cancer in the central part of your chest, you’ll have a bronchoscopy. A bronchoscopy is a procedure\u00a0that allows\u00a0a doctor or nurse to\u00a0remove a small sample of cells from inside your lungs.<\/p>

During a bronchoscopy, a thin tube called a bronchoscope is used to examine your lungs and take a sample of cells (biopsy). The bronchoscope is passed through your mouth or nose, down your throat and into the airways of your lungs.<\/p>

The procedure may be uncomfortable, but you’ll be given a mild sedative beforehand to help you relax and a\u00a0local anaesthetic\u00a0to make your throat numb. The procedure is very quick and only takes a few minutes.<\/p>

Other types of biopsy<\/span><\/h2>

If you’re not able to have one of the biopsies described above, or you’ve had one and the results weren’t clear, you may be offered a different type of biopsy. This may be a type of surgical biopsy such as a thoracoscopy or a mediastinoscopy, or a biopsy carried out using a needle inserted through your skin.<\/p>

Percutaneous needle biopsy<\/span><\/h3>

A percutaneous needle biopsy involves removing a sample from a suspected tumour to test it at a laboratory for cancerous cells.<\/p>

The doctor carrying out the biopsy will use a CT scanner to guide a needle to the site of a suspected tumour through the skin. A local anaesthetic is used to numb the surrounding skin, and the needle is passed through your skin and into your lungs. The needle will then be used to remove a sample of tissue for testing.<\/p>

Thoracoscopy<\/span><\/h3>

A thoracoscopy is a procedure that allows the doctor to examine a particular area of your chest and take tissue and fluid samples.<\/p>

You’re likely to need a\u00a0general anaesthetic\u00a0before having a thoracoscopy. Two or three small cuts will be made in your chest to pass a tube (similar to a bronchoscope) into your chest. The doctor will use the tube to look inside your chest and take samples. The samples will then be sent away for tests.<\/p>

After a thoracoscopy, you may need to stay in hospital overnight while any further fluid in your lungs is drained out.<\/p>

Mediastinoscopy<\/span><\/h3>

A mediastinoscopy allows the doctor to examine the area between your lungs at the centre of your chest (mediastinum).<\/p>

For this test, you’ll need to have a general anaesthetic and stay in hospital for a couple of days. The doctor will make a small cut at the bottom of your neck so they can pass a thin tube into your chest.<\/p>

The tube has a camera at the end, which enables the doctor to see inside your chest. They’ll also be able to take samples of your cells and lymph nodes at the same time. The lymph nodes are tested because they’re usually the first place that lung cancer spreads to.<\/p>

Staging<\/span><\/h2>

Once tests have been completed, it should be possible to work out what stage your cancer is, what this means\u00a0for your treatment and whether it’s possible to\u00a0completely cure the cancer.<\/p>

Non-small-cell lung cancer<\/span><\/h3>

Non-small-cell lung cancer (the most common type)\u00a0usually spreads more slowly than small-cell lung cancer and responds differently to treatment.<\/p>

Stage 1<\/h4>

The cancer is contained within the lung and hasn’t spread to nearby lymph nodes. Stage 1 can also be divided into two sub-stages:<\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u2666<\/span> <\/strong>stage 1A \u2013 the tumour is less than 3cm in size (1.2 inches)\u00a0<\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u2666<\/span> <\/strong>stage 1B \u2013 the tumour is 3-5cm (1.2-2 inches)<\/p>

Stage 2<\/h4>

Stage 2 is divided into 2 sub-stages: 2A and 2B.<\/p>

In stage 2A lung cancer, either:<\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u2666<\/span> <\/strong>the tumour is 5\u00a0to 7cm\u00a0<\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u2666<\/span> <\/strong>the tumour is less than 5cm\u00a0and cancerous cells have spread to nearby lymph nodes<\/p>

In stage 2B lung cancer, either:<\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u2666<\/span> <\/strong>the tumour is larger than 7cm\u00a0<\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u2666<\/span> <\/strong>the tumour is 5\u00a0to 7cm and cancerous cells have spread to nearby lymph nodes\u00a0<\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u2666<\/span> <\/strong>the cancer hasn’t spread to lymph nodes, but has spread to surrounding\u00a0muscles or tissue\u00a0<\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u2666<\/span> <\/strong>the cancer has spread to one of the main airways (bronchus)\u00a0<\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u2666<\/span> <\/strong>the cancer has caused the lung to collapse\u00a0<\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u2666<\/span> <\/strong>there are multiple small tumours in the lung<\/p>

Stage 3<\/h4>

Stage 3 is divided into 2 sub-stages: 3A and 3B.<\/p>

In stage 3A lung cancer, the cancer has either spread to the lymph nodes in the middle of the chest or into the surrounding tissue. This can be:<\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u2666<\/span> <\/strong>the covering of the lung (the pleura)<\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u2666<\/span> <\/strong>the chest wall<\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u2666<\/span> <\/strong>the middle of the chest<\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u2666<\/span> <\/strong>other lymph nodes near the affected lung<\/p>

In stage 3B lung cancer, the cancer has spread to either of the following:<\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u2666<\/span> <\/strong>lymph nodes on either side of the chest, above the collarbones<\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u2666<\/span> <\/strong>another important part of the body, such as the gullet (oesophagus), windpipe (trachea), heart or into a main blood vessel<\/p>

Stage 4<\/h4>

In stage 4 lung cancer, the cancer has either spread to both lungs or to another part of the body (such as the bones, liver or brain), or the cancer has caused fluid-containing cancer cells to build up around your heart or lungs.<\/p>

Small-cell lung cancer<\/span><\/h3>

Small-cell lung cancer is less common than non-small-cell lung cancer. The cancerous cells responsible for the condition are smaller in size when examined under a microscope than the cells that cause non-small-cell lung cancer.<\/p>

Small-cell lung cancer only\u00a0has 2 possible stages:<\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u2666<\/span> <\/strong>limited disease \u2013 the cancer has not spread beyond the lung<\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u2666<\/span> <\/strong>extensive disease \u2013 the cancer has spread beyond the lung<\/p>

\u00a0<\/span><\/div>
\u00a0<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Living with lung cancer<\/span><\/h2>

Breathlessness is common in people who have lung cancer, whether it is a symptom of the condition or a side effect of treatment.<\/p>

In\u00a0many cases, breathlessness can be\u00a0improved with some simple measures such as:<\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u2666<\/span> <\/strong>breathing in slowly through your nose and out through your mouth (after treatment for lung cancer, you may see a physiotherapist, who can teach you some simple breathing exercises)<\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u2666<\/span> <\/strong>making daily activities easier \u2013 for example, using a trolley when you go shopping or keeping things you often need downstairs so you don’t need to regularly walk up and down the stairs<\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u2666<\/span> <\/strong>using a fan to direct cool air towards your face<\/p>

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u2666<\/span> <\/strong>eating smaller and more frequent meals, and taking smaller mouthfuls<\/p>

If\u00a0measures like these aren’t enough to control your breathlessness, you may need further treatment.\u00a0There are a number of medications that can help improve breathlessness.\u00a0Home oxygen treatment\u00a0may be an option in more severe cases.<\/p>

If your breathlessness is caused by another condition, such as a chest infection or\u00a0a fluid build-up around the lungs (a pleural effusion), treating this\u00a0underlying\u00a0cause\u00a0may\u00a0help your breathing.<\/p>

Pain<\/span><\/h2>

Some people with lung cancer have pain, while others never have any. About 1 in 3 people who are treated for\u00a0cancer experience some pain.<\/p>

Pain isn’t related to the severity of the cancer \u2013 it varies from person to person. What causes cancer pain isn\u2019t thoroughly understood, but there are ways of treating it so the pain can be controlled.<\/p>

People\u00a0with advanced lung cancer may need treatment for pain as their cancer progresses. This can be part of palliative care and is often provided by doctors, nurses and other members of the palliative care team. You can have palliative care at home, in hospital, in a hospice or other care centre.<\/p>

Emotional effects and relationships<\/span><\/h2>

Having cancer can lead to a range of emotions. These may include shock, anxiety, relief, sadness and depression.<\/p>

People deal with serious problems in different ways. It’s hard to predict how living with cancer will affect you.<\/p>

Being open and honest about how you feel and what your family and friends can do to help you may put others at ease. But don’t feel shy about telling people that you need some time to yourself, if that’s what you need.<\/p>

\u00a0<\/p>

\u00a0<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

About lung cancer Lung cancer is one of the most common and serious types of cancer.\u00a0 There are usually no signs or […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_eb_attr":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":{"0":"post-2617","1":"page","2":"type-page","3":"status-publish","5":"col-md-12"},"aioseo_notices":[],"_hostinger_reach_plugin_has_subscription_block":false,"_hostinger_reach_plugin_is_elementor":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/draramideherbalcure.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2617","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/draramideherbalcure.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/draramideherbalcure.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/draramideherbalcure.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/draramideherbalcure.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2617"}],"version-history":[{"count":43,"href":"https:\/\/draramideherbalcure.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2617\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6657,"href":"https:\/\/draramideherbalcure.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2617\/revisions\/6657"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/draramideherbalcure.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2617"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}