What Is Lung Cancer? Its Symptoms, Causes, and Diagnostic Methods
Lung Cancer: What Is It? What Are Its Symptoms, Causes, and Diagnostic Methods?
Lung cancer refers to malignant tumors that develop as a result of the uncontrolled proliferation of cells in lung tissue. These cells initially multiply in their local area, forming a mass. Over time, as the cancer progresses, it can spread to surrounding tissues and distant organs.
This disease is one of the most common and serious types of cancer worldwide. Since it usually does not cause symptoms in the early stages, the disease is often at an advanced stage when diagnosed. Therefore, it is important for individuals at high risk to undergo regular check-ups and participate in screening programs.
General Information About Lung Cancer
Lung cancer is essentially a disease that arises from the abnormal proliferation of cells in the lung. The most common risk factors are smoking, long-term exposure to air pollution, asbestos, and radon gas.
Due to the prevalence of these risk factors, especially smoking, lung cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in both men and women in many countries. Although lung cancer detected at an early stage can be treated, treatment options and success are often more limited because it is usually diagnosed at an advanced stage.
What Are the Common Symptoms of Lung Cancer?
Lung cancer symptoms usually develop in the later stages of the disease. Although it often progresses silently in the early period, the following complaints may appear over time:
Persistent and progressively worsening cough
Blood in sputum
Constant hoarseness
Difficulty swallowing
Loss of appetite and weight loss
Unexplained fatigue
Since these symptoms can also be observed in other lung diseases, it is essential to consult a specialist in case of suspicion.
How Do Lung Cancer Symptoms Change According to Stages?
Stage 0: Cancer cells are limited only to the innermost layer of the lung and usually do not cause symptoms; they are detected incidentally during routine examinations.
Stage 1: The tumor is still confined within the lung, with no spread. Mild cough, shortness of breath, or mild chest pain may be seen. Successful results can be achieved with surgery at this stage.
Stage 2: The cancer may have reached deeper tissues in the lung or nearby lymph nodes. Complaints such as blood in sputum, chest pain, and fatigue are more common. In addition to surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy may be required.
Stage 3: The disease has spread to areas outside the lung and to lymph nodes. Persistent cough, pronounced chest pain, difficulty swallowing, significant weight loss, and severe fatigue may occur. Treatment generally involves a combination of several methods.
Stage 4: The cancer has spread beyond the lung to other organs (such as the liver, brain, or bone). Advanced shortness of breath, severe fatigue, bone and headache, loss of appetite, and significant weight loss are typical. At this stage, treatment is aimed at controlling symptoms and improving quality of life.
What Are the Main Causes of Lung Cancer?
The most important risk factor is smoking. However, lung cancer can also occur in individuals who have never smoked. In general, a very large proportion of all lung cancers are found to be associated with smoking. Passive smoking, that is, indirect exposure to cigarette smoke, also significantly increases risk.
Other risk factors include asbestos exposure. Asbestos, a mineral resistant to heat and abrasion, was frequently used in the past. Today, exposure is mostly observed in occupational settings, especially during asbestos removal.
Additionally, air pollution, radon gas, ionizing radiation, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and family predisposition can also increase the risk of developing lung cancer.
Are There Different Types of Lung Cancer?
Lung cancers are divided into two main groups according to the cell structures from which they originate:
Small cell lung cancer: Accounts for about 10–15% of all cases. It tends to grow rapidly and spread early, and is often associated with smoking.
Non-small cell lung cancer: Covers the vast majority of all lung cancers (about 85%). This group is divided into three common subtypes:
Adenocarcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma
Large cell carcinoma
Although the treatment response and course of non-small cell lung cancers are generally better, the stage of the disease and overall health status are important factors.
Factors and Risk Factors Leading to Lung Cancer
Active smoking is the strongest trigger of the disease.
In non-smokers, the risk also increases significantly due to passive smoking.
Long-term exposure to radon gas is especially important in poorly ventilated buildings.
Asbestos increases the risk in those exposed in occupational settings.
Intense air pollution and exposure to industrial chemicals are also risk factors.
A family history of lung cancer may increase personal risk.
Having COPD or similar chronic lung diseases also brings additional risk.
How Is Lung Cancer Diagnosed?
Modern imaging techniques and laboratory tests are used in the diagnosis of lung cancer. Especially for individuals in risk groups, annual lung cancer screening with low-dose computed tomography may be recommended.
If there are clinical findings, chest X-ray, computed tomography, sputum analysis, and, if necessary, biopsy (tissue sampling) are among the standard diagnostic methods. Based on the data obtained, the stage, spread, and type of cancer are determined. After this stage, the most appropriate treatment approach is planned for the patient.
How Long Does It Take for Lung Cancer to Develop?
In lung cancer, it usually takes 5–10 years from the onset of abnormal cell proliferation to the point where the disease becomes apparent. Due to this long development period, most people are diagnosed at an advanced stage. Therefore, regular check-ups and early screening are of great importance.
What Are the Treatment Options for Lung Cancer?
The treatment approach is determined according to the type and stage of cancer and the general health status of the patient. In early stages, surgical removal of the tumor is often possible. In advanced stages, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, or a combination of these may be preferred. Which treatment will be applied is planned individually by a multidisciplinary team.
Surgery is an effective option, especially in early stages and in cases with limited spread. Depending on the size and location of the tumor, a part of the lung or the entire lung may be removed. Treatments applied in advanced stages mostly aim to slow the progression of the disease and reduce symptoms.
The Importance of Regular Screening and Early Diagnosis
If lung cancer can be detected by screening before symptoms develop, treatment success and survival rates can increase significantly. Especially in people over the age of 50 who smoke, annual screening can help detect the disease early. If you think you are in a risk group, it is important to consult a specialist and participate in an appropriate screening program.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What are the first symptoms of lung cancer?
Persistent cough, blood in sputum, hoarseness, and shortness of breath are usually among the first warning signs. If you have these complaints, consult a doctor.
Is lung cancer seen only in smokers?
No. Although smoking is the main risk factor, the disease can also develop in people who have never smoked. Passive smoking, genetic, and environmental factors also play a role.
Lung
na se e ka ba lelapa kankere?Malapeng a mang, ho ka ba le keketseho ea kotsi ka lebaka la tšekamelo ea liphatsa tsa lefutso. Leha ho le joalo, boholo ba linyeoe li amahanngoa le ho tsuba le tšusumetso ea tikoloho.
Na kankere ea matšoafo e ka phekoloa ka nako ea pele?
E, ho khoneha ho fola ka botlalo ka kalafo e nepahetseng maemong a pele. Ka lebaka lena, ho lemoha kapele ho pholosa bophelo.
Boemo ba kankere bo khetholloa joang?
Ho khetholla maemo ho etsoa ka liteko tsa ho sheba le haeba ho hlokahala ka biopsy, ho latela hore na kankere e atile hakae le litho tse amehileng.
E ka ferekanngoa le mafu afe a mang?
Bronchitis e sa foleng, pneumonia kapa mafu a tšoaetsano a matšoafo a ka bontša matšoao a tšoanang. Ho hlokahala tlhahlobo e qaqileng bakeng sa boitsebiso bo nepahetseng.
Na phekolo ea kankere ea matšoafo e thata?
Dikgetho tsa phekolo di fapana ho ya ka boemo ba lefu le boemo ba bophelo ba mokudi. Ho bohlokoa ho theha leano la phekolo le ikhethileng bakeng sa mokudi e mong le e mong.
Ke eng e ka etsoang ho itšireletsa khahlanong le kankere ea matšoafo?
Ho qoba ho tsuba le lihlahisoa tsa koae, ho thibela mosi o sa tobang, ho nka mehato ea tšireletso mesebetsing e kotsing, le ho etsa tlhahlobo ea bophelo khafetsa ho thusa.
Kankere ea matšoafo e hlaha lilemong life?
Hangata e hlaha ho batho ba baholo ba fetang lilemo tse 50, empa e ka hlaha lilemong life kapa life. Kotsi e phahame haholo ho ba tsubang koae.
Na boleng ba bophelo bo ka ntlafatsoa ho ba phelang le kankere ea matšoafo?
E, kajeno mekhoa ea phekolo le tlhokomelo e tšehetsang li ka phahamisa boleng ba bophelo.
Ke bo-mang ba khothaletsoang ho hlahlojoa kankere ea matšoafo?
Batho ba tsubileng nako e telele, ba fetang lilemo tse 50 le ba nang le lintlha tse ling tsa kotsi ba khothaletsoa ho hlahlojoa khafetsa.
Batho ba haufi le mokudi ba ka thusa joang nakong ea phekolo?
Tšehetso ea 'mele le ea kelello e ama boleng ba bophelo ba mokudi hantle nakong le ka mor'a phekolo.
Na opereishene ea kankere ea matšoafo e kotsi?
Joalo ka opereishene e 'ngoe le e 'ngoe, ho na le likotsi tse itseng. Ka tlhahlobo e qaqileng le litokisetso tse nepahetseng pele ho opereishene, likotsi li ka fokotsoa.
Ke eng tšebeliso ea "lithethefatsi tse bohlale" phekong?
Mefuteng e meng ea kankere ea matšoafo, phekolo e lebisitsoeng ho lisele tsa mofetše e ka sebelisoa. Ngaka ea hau e ka lekola khetho ena ho latela tlhahlobo ea liphatsa tsa lefutso tsa lisele tsa mofetše.
Ho etsahala'ng haeba kankere ea matšoafo e sa phekoloe?
Haeba e sa phekoloe, kankere e ka tsoela pele ka potlako 'me ea senya mesebetsi ea litho tsa bohlokoa. Ho lemoha le ho phekola kapele ho bohlokoa haholo.
Mehloli
World Health Organization (WHO): Lung Cancer
American Cancer Society: Lung Cancer
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Lung Cancer
European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO): Lung Cancer Guidelines
National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN): Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology – Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA): Lung Cancer Screening and Early Detection