Lung Cancer

There are three main types of lung cancer, each with different growth patterns and treatment approaches:

• Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): The most common type, accounting for about 85% of cases.
• Small cell lung cancer (SCLC): A fast-growing cancer usually linked to smoking.
• Lung carcinoid tumour: A rarer, slower-growing type of lung cancer.

Early lung cancer may not cause obvious signs, but as the disease progresses, common symptoms include:

• Persistent coughing or wheezing
• Chest pain or discomfort
• Shortness of breath or extreme fatigue
• Coughing up blood or rusty-coloured sputum (mucus)
• Recurrent respiratory infections (like pneumonia or bronchitis)

Early lung cancer may not cause obvious signs, but as the disease progresses, common symptoms include:

• Persistent coughing or wheezing
• Chest pain or discomfort
• Shortness of breath or extreme fatigue
• Coughing up blood or rusty-coloured sputum (mucus)
• Recurrent respiratory infections (like pneumonia or bronchitis)

Doctors use a combination of imaging, tissue sampling, and functional tests to confirm lung cancer and plan treatment:

• Imaging tests: CT, PET, or MRI scans, particularly of the brain in advanced cases
• Biopsy: Removal of a tissue sample using CT-guided or EBUS (endobronchial ultrasound) biopsy, which allows doctors to take samples through the airways
• Nodal staging: Mediastinoscopy (a small surgical procedure to check lymph nodes in the chest) or EBUS for lymph node evaluation
• Sputum cytology: Microscopic analysis of sputum samples
• Pulmonary function tests: To assess lung capacity and breathing function, especially before surgery
• Cardiac evaluation: To ensure surgical readiness for operable lung cancers 

Treatment depends on the stage of cancer, type, and patient’s overall health. Options include:

• Surgery: Removal of the tumour and affected part of the lung, performed using conventional technique, VATS (Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery), or robotic methods
• Chemotherapy: Medicines that kill or slow down the growth of cancer cells
• Radiation therapy: High-energy rays targeted to destroy cancer cells
• Targeted therapy: Drugs designed to block specific genetic mutations in cancer cells
• Immunotherapy: treatments that boost the immune system to fight cancer effectively 

Either one or different combinations of the above therapies may be used for the individual. Prognosis varies significantly based on the stage of cancer at diagnosis, the patient’s overall health, and the response to treatment.

It is important to seek medical advice if you experience any of the above symptoms, including a persistent cough for weeks, coughing up blood, unexplained weight loss, loss of appetite, or unusual fatigue. Early evaluation increases the chances of detecting lung cancer at a stage when it can be treated more effectively.

Lung cancer cannot always be prevented; nevertheless, the steps that may be taken to reduce the risk of developing this condition include:

• Quit smoking (most effective).
• Avoid exposure to second-hand smoke.
• Smokers may consider low-dose CT scans for early detection after consulting a physician.
• Maintain a healthy diet with regular exercise.

If lung cancer is suspected or diagnosed, a pulmonologist(lung specialist) is usually the first to evaluate symptoms or abnormal scans. For confirmed cases, an oncologist guides treatment options such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or targeted therapy.