Lung Cancer and its Types
CT scan is the result of abnormal growth of cells in the lungs. The cause of abnormal growth is not evident, but this abnormal growth of cells leads to lung cancer. The tumors can be benign and malignant. However, treatment is necessary in both cases. There are two main types of lung cancer.
Small Cell Lung Cancer
Another name for small-cell lung cancer is oat-cell carcinoma. It is one of the most aggressive types of lung cancer. This cancer has small, round, oval, or oat-shaped cells, and they are directly related to cigarette smoking. This cancer has a very low survival rate as it spreads quickly within the body, even before the appearance of symptoms.
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Non-small cell lung cancer is another type, and it makes up about 80% of lung cancer cases. It does not grow and spread quickly as compared to small-cell lung cancer. It has subtypes that include adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Adenocarcinoma is in the outer area of the lung. On the other hand, squamous cell carcinoma is within the center of the lungs. Screening plays an integral role in identifying the presence of tumors within the lungs.
However, each cancer cell is observed under a microscope to identify the type of it. In addition to this, every kind of cancer demands a different treatment plan.
What are the Causes of Lung Cancer?
Different factors play a role in causing lung cancer. Some of the factors include the following:
- Smoking is one of the leading causes of lung cancer. It is responsible for 80% to 90% of lung cancer deaths in the USA. The risk of cancer increases with how long a person has been smoking and the age of the person.
- Secondhand smoke is another cause of lung cancer.
- The radioactive gas radon also plays an integral role in causing cancer.
- The gene mutation is another leading cause of cancer.
- Air pollution is one of the emerging causes of the prevalence of lung cancer.
What are the Symptoms of Lung Cancer?
Lung cancer does not show any symptoms until it reaches an advanced stage. However, some of the most common symptoms include the following:
A constant cough that does not go away despite treatment
- Shortness of breath without doing some hectic work
- Coughing up blood
- Fatigue for no reason
- Weight loss without any significant reason
- Lung infections and chest infections keep coming back despite proper treatment.
- A subtle pain under the left rib cage in some cases
Treatment Options for Lung Cancer
The treatment of lung cancer depends upon the type of lung cancer, cancer stage, and general health of a person. Some treatment options are:
- Surgery to remove the tumor. However, the surgical processes may differ.
- Chemotherapy is another option for treatment.
- Radiation therapy, which includes high rays to kill the cancer by shrinking the tumors.
- Targeted therapy to block the growth and spread of cancer.
- Immunotherapy to restore the immunity of the body.
Conclusion
Lung cancer is the result of abnormal growth of cells in the lungs. The cause of abnormal growth is not evident, but this abnormal growth of cells leads to lung cancer. Some of the most common causes of lung cancer include smoking, air pollution, exposure to toxic chemicals, gene mutation, and secondhand smoking. If you are exposed to any of these factors, then it is better to take action and go for a lung scan at ViaScan of Las Colinas. The scan prevents the risk of growth of lung cancer.