About Lung Cancer
What Is Lung Cancer?
Causes and Risk Factors For Lung Cancer
Lung cancer develops when changes in lung-cell DNA allow cells to grow and divide out of control. These changes may be related to tobacco smoke, environmental or workplace exposures, inherited or acquired genetic changes, or other factors. Having one or more risk factors does not mean a person will develop lung cancer, and some people who develop lung cancer have no known risk factors.
What causes lung cancer?
- Tobacco smoke: Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer. Cigars, pipes, and secondhand smoke also increase risk.
- Radon and other carcinogen exposures: Long-term exposure to radon, asbestos, diesel exhaust, arsenic, some forms of silica and chromium, and other cancer-causing substances can increase risk.
Non-modifiable risk factors are factors that cannot be changed or controlled. Non-modifiable risk factors for lung cancer include:
- Age: Lung cancer risk generally increases as people get older.
- Family history: Having a close relative with lung cancer may increase risk, especially when combined with other risk factors.
- Previous radiation therapy to the chest: Past radiation treatment to the chest may increase the risk of lung cancer.
- Personal history of lung cancer: A previous diagnosis of lung cancer increases the risk of developing another lung cancer.
Modifiable or reducible risk factors are factors a person may be able to avoid, reduce, or address with support. These include:
- Smoking: Quitting smoking lowers the risk of lung cancer and has health benefits at any age.
- Secondhand smoke: Breathing smoke from other people’s cigarettes, cigars, or pipes increases lung cancer risk.
- Radon exposure: Radon is an odorless, invisible radioactive gas that can build up indoors. Testing and fixing high radon levels can help reduce risk.
- Workplace or environmental exposures: Exposure to asbestos, diesel exhaust, arsenic, some forms of silica or chromium, and long-term particle pollution can increase risk.
Risk factors can interact. For example, smoking combined with radon or asbestos exposure increases risk more than either exposure alone. People concerned about their risk should speak with a healthcare professional about prevention, smoking cessation, radon testing, and whether lung cancer screening is appropriate.
Lung Cancer Symptoms
Lung cancer often does not cause symptoms in its early stages. When symptoms do occur, they may include:
- A new cough that does not go away
- A chronic cough that gets worse or changes
- Coughing up blood or blood-stained mucus
- Shortness of breath, wheezing, or hoarseness
Other symptoms can occur as lung cancer grows or spreads, including:
- Chest pain, especially pain that worsens with deep breathing, coughing, or laughing
- Frequent respiratory infections, such as bronchitis or pneumonia
- Unexplained weight loss or loss of appetite
- Fatigue or weakness
- Bone pain, headache, or swelling in the face or neck if the cancer has spread or is affecting nearby structures
These symptoms can have many causes other than lung cancer. A person should contact a healthcare professional if symptoms are persistent, worsening, unusual for them, or include coughing up blood, chest pain, or trouble breathing.
How Is Lung Cancer Diagnosed?
To diagnose lung cancer, doctors commonly perform the following examinations, tests, and procedures:
- Imaging studies: These include chest X-ray, computed tomography (CT) scan.
- Sputum cytology: This involves examining microscopic cells obtained from coughed-up mucus to check for cancer cells.
- Tissue biopsy: A small sample of lung tissue is taken for microscopic examination. Common biopsy methods include bronchoscopy (using a thin tube with a light), needle biopsy (taking a small tissue sample), or surgical biopsy.
To determine the stage or severity of lung cancer, additional examinations and tests may be performed:
- Staging procedures: These help determine how far the tumor has grown into the lung tissue and if it has spread to other parts of the body. Staging may involve bronchoscopy, MRI scan, PET scan, bone scan, or ultrasound.
- Histopathology procedures: These analyze lung tissue biopsy samples to identify the subtype of lung cancer and assess genetic changes that may influence treatment options.
- Additional tests: Depending on the specific case, doctors may also use mediastinoscopy (examining lymph nodes), thoracoscopy (examining the pleural space), or pleural fluid analysis (testing fluid around the lungs).
It's important to note that these tests should be performed by healthcare professionals. Medication dosing may be affected by many factors. Check with your health care professional about dosing for your individual situation. Other side effects can occur. Check with your health care professional or read the information provided with your medication for additional side effect information.
Treatment Options For Lung Cancer
Treatment for lung cancer depends on the type of lung cancer, stage, tumor biomarkers, a person’s overall health, and their treatment goals. A care team may use one treatment or a combination of treatments.
- Treat or remove localized cancer: For some early-stage cancers, treatment may aim to remove or destroy the cancer and reduce the chance it will return.
- Control cancer and relieve symptoms: For advanced lung cancer, treatment may aim to slow cancer growth, help people live longer, manage symptoms, and improve quality of life. Palliative care can be provided alongside cancer-directed treatment at any stage.
Treatment options for lung cancer may include:
- Surgery: Removes cancer from the lung and may include removal of nearby lymph nodes. Surgery is most often used for some early-stage non-small cell lung cancers when the cancer can be safely removed.
- Radiation therapy: Uses high-energy radiation to kill cancer cells or shrink tumors. It may be used alone, with chemotherapy, after surgery, or to relieve symptoms.
- Chemotherapy: Uses medicines that travel through the bloodstream to kill cancer cells or slow their growth. It may be used alone or with other treatments.
- Immunotherapy: Helps the immune system recognize and attack cancer cells. It is used for certain lung cancers based on cancer type, stage, biomarkers, and overall health.
- Targeted therapy: Uses medicines designed to target specific changes in cancer cells, such as certain gene mutations or other biomarkers. Biomarker testing can help determine whether targeted therapy is an option.
- Supportive and palliative care: Helps manage symptoms, treatment side effects, emotional needs, and quality of life. This care can be used together with treatments that target the cancer.
Lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking, staying physically active when possible, and maintaining nutrition, can support overall health during treatment but do not replace cancer-directed therapy. A healthcare professional can explain which treatment options are appropriate for an individual situation.