Lung Cancer
Lung cancer, also known as lung carcinoma, is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in one or both lungs. It most often occurs in people who smoke. As lung cancer grows, abnormal cells can form tumours and interfere with the functioning of the lung, which provides oxygen to the body via blood.
Symptoms of Lung Cancer include
- Persistent cough
- Blood in sputum (spit or phlegm)
- Shortness of breath either on exertion or at rest
- Chest pain
- Change in voice
- Tobacco smoking (causes 60-65 per cent of lung cancers)
- Exposure to second-hand or passive smoking
- Exposure to radon gas, asbestos and other carcinogens
- Family history of lung cancer
- Stage I: Cancer is confined to lung
- Stage II/III: Cancer is confined to chest
- Stage IV: Cancer spreads to other organs (lymph nodes, brain, liver, adrenal glands)
- Stage I/II – Surgery can be considered
- Stage III – Combination of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy may be required
- Stage IV – Chemotherapy, oral targeted therapy, immunotherapy and radiation therapy are treatment options
