Lung cancer forms in tissues of the lung, usually in the cells lining air
passages. The two main types are small cell lung cancer and non-small
cell lung cancer. These types are diagnosed based on how the cells look
under a microscope. Each type of lung cancer grows and spreads in different
ways and is treated differently. Non-small cell lung cancer is more common,
and generally grows and spreads more slowly. Non-small cell cancer is
divided into three main types and are named for the type of cells in which
the cancer develops. These three types are squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma,
and large cell carcinoma. Small cell lung cancer, sometimes referred to
as oat cell cancer, is less common than non-small cell lung cancer. This
cancer grows more quickly and is likely to spread to other organs of the body.
There are several causes of lung cancer, most related to the use of tobacco,
including cigarettes, cigars and pipes, environmental tobacco smoke, radon,
asbestos, pollution, lung diseases, and personal history. Some of the
common symptoms of lung cancer include cough that doesn’t go away
and gets worse over time, constant chest pain, coughing up blood, shortness
of breath, wheezing, hoarseness, repeated problems with pneumonia or bronchitis,
swelling of the neck and face, loss of appetite or weight loss, and fatigue.
During your doctor appointment a family history of cancer will be taken
along with, your medical history, smoking history, and exposure to environmental
and occupational substances. A physical exam is performed as well as a
chest x-ray and sputum cytology to detect lung cancer. To confirm the
diagnosis the doctor must examine tissue from the lung and this is done
through a biopsy. Tissue can be obtained through bronchoscopy, needle
aspiration, thoracentesis, or thoracotomy. The tissue is then examined
under a microscope by a pathologist for diagnosis.
If the diagnosis is cancer the doctor will next need to know the stage
of the disease to help plan treatment. Tests used for staging include
CT scan, MRI, radionuclide scanning, bone scan, and mediastinoscopy. Planning
for treatment depends on the type of lung cancer non-small cell versus
small cell, the size, location and extent of tumor, as well as general
health of the patient. Treatment options available are surgery, chemotherapy,
radiation therapy, photodynamic therapy, and clinical trials. Together
you and your healthcare team will answer your questions and develop a
treatment plan to best meet your needs.
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