Tuesday, October 21, 2025

Here is a detailed overview of lung cancer — what it is, its types, causes & risk factors, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment options, prognosis, prevention and living with it. This is written for a blog‑style audience and covers many aspects to provide a comprehensive understanding.

Lung Cancer



1. What is Lung Cancer?

Lung cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells that begin in one or both lungs. These cells don’t behave like normal lung cells — they proliferate, invade nearby tissues, and may spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body. (Cancer.org)
The lungs consist of airways (bronchi, bronchioles) and tiny air sacs (alveoli). Tumours may start in these airways or the lung tissue itself. (Cancer.org)
Because lung cancer often grows silently until it’s advanced, it remains one of the leading causes of cancer‑related deaths globally. (World Health Organization)

2. Types of Lung Cancer

The two major categories are:

• Non‑Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)

This is the more common type (about 80‑90% of cases). (MSD Manuals) Sub‑types include:

  • Adenocarcinoma

  • Squamous cell carcinoma

  • Large cell carcinoma

• Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC)

Less common (about 10‑20% of cases) but more aggressive, tends to spread more quickly. (Encyclopedia Britannica)

Choosing the type is important because it influences treatment options and prognosis.

3. Causes & Risk Factors

🔹 Smoking

The single biggest risk factor. Around 85% of lung cancers are attributed to smoking. (World Health Organization)
Risk increases with the number of cigarettes and years smoked. Quitting at any age still lowers risk. (Mayo Clinic)

🔹 Secondhand Smoke

Exposure to smoke from others also increases risk. (Mayo Clinic)

🔹 Environmental & Occupational Exposures

🔹 Other Factors

  • Previous radiation therapy to the chest (Mayo Clinic)

  • Family history of lung cancer or certain genetic mutations

  • Chronic lung diseases (e.g., COPD, pulmonary fibrosis)

4. Symptoms

Symptoms often don’t appear until disease is advanced. Key ones include:

Because these symptoms may overlap with other lung conditions, it’s often diagnosed late.

5. Diagnosis & Staging

🔍 Diagnostic Methods

  • Imaging: Chest X‑ray, CT scan, PET/CT scan, MRI for detailed views. (Encyclopedia Britannica)

  • Bronchoscopy: A scope to view airways & take biopsy. (Encyclopedia Britannica)

  • Biopsy: Tissue sampling for histology (type, grade) and molecular testing (mutations) especially in NSCLC. (World Health Organization)

  • Blood tests, sometimes tumor markers though less specific.

📊 Staging

Staging describes how far the cancer has spread: tumour size, lymph node involvement, distant metastases. (TNM system) (cancerindia.org.in)
General stages for NSCLC:

  • Stage 0: Carcinoma in situ (very early)

  • Stage I: Tumour limited to lung, no lymph nodes

  • Stage II: Larger tumour or nearby lymph nodes involved

  • Stage III: More extensive lymph node/adjacent structure involvement

  • Stage IV: Distant metastasis (bones, brain, liver)

Staging guides treatment.

6. Treatment Options

Treatment depends on cancer type, stage, patient’s health, molecular features.

• Surgery

For early‑stage NSCLC (Stage I/II) often the best chance for cure. Types: wedge resection, lobectomy, pneumonectomy. (World Health Organization)

• Radiation (Radiotherapy)

Used alone or with surgery/chemotherapy when surgery isn’t possible.

• Chemotherapy

Standard systemic therapy especially in SCLC and advanced NSCLC.

• Targeted Therapy

Drugs aimed at specific genetic mutations (EGFR, ALK, ROS1, BRAF etc) in NSCLC.

• Immunotherapy

Harnessing immune system (checkpoint inhibitors) playing increasing role in lung cancer.

• Combined Modality

Often combinations of the above, e.g., surgery + adjuvant chemotherapy + radiation or targeted therapy.

• Palliative Care

In advanced disease, the focus may shift to symptom control, quality of life.

Recent developments: Regulatory approvals for chemo‑free combinations in NSCLC with specific mutations (e.g., EGFR) have expanded treatment options.

7. Prognosis & Survival

  • Prognosis depends heavily on stage at diagnosis and cancer type. (MedicineNet)

  • For example: localised NSCLC may have 5‑year survival ~ 60‑70% in some cases. Advanced stage (metastatic) has much lower survival (~ 5‑year ~9% in distant stage) (Cancer.org)

  • SCLC has poorer prognosis due to aggressive nature.

  • Earlier detection and advances in therapy are improving outcomes.

8. Prevention & Risk Reduction

Since many cases are preventable, efforts focus on reducing risk:

  • Quit smoking or never start. This remains the most important action. (World Health Organization)

  • Avoid secondhand smoke.

  • Reduce exposure to occupational carcinogens (asbestos, arsenic, etc).

  • Test for radon levels in homes (especially underground areas).

  • Improve air quality; reduce ambient pollution.

  • Screening (for high‑risk individuals) e.g., low-dose CT scans in long‑term heavy smokers. (World Health Organization)

9. Living With Lung Cancer & Aftercare

  • Follow‑up: After treatment, regular visits with imaging, labs to monitor for recurrence.

  • Symptom management: Address cough, breathlessness, pain, fatigue, appetite changes.

  • Lifestyle: Healthy diet, physical activity, emotional support essential.

  • Rehabilitation: Pulmonary rehabilitation may help lung function and quality of life.

  • Support: Psychological support, palliative care options even early in treatment.

10. Key Takeaways

  • Lung cancer is serious but not uniformly hopeless — early detection markedly improves outcomes.

  • Smoking cessation is the single best preventive measure.

  • Molecular profiling in NSCLC has transformed treatment: targeted therapies, immunotherapies offer hope.

  • Awareness of symptoms, risk factors and availability of screening is vital.

  • Even when diagnosed late, modern therapies can extend life and quality of life.

If you like, I can prepare a blog‑friendly infographic, provide India‑specific stats & care pathways, or craft a printable PDF guide for patients and caregivers. Would you like that? 


 


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