LUNG CANCER

(Bronchogenic Carcinoma)

 Basic information

description

Lung cancer is cancer that grows in the tissues of the lungs. There are two major types, non-small cell (more common) and small cell. Lung cancer more often affects older adults of both sexes. Most lung cancers result from tobacco use.

FREQUENT SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

• Usually there are no symptoms in the early stages.
• Persistent cough.
• Wheezing or shortness of breath.
• Chest pain.
• Fatigue and weakness.
• Weight loss.
• Shoulder, arm, or bone pain.
• Coughing up blood.

causes

Abnormal cells grow and destroy healthy lung tissue. Primary lung cancer is one that begins in the lungs. It can spread (metastasize) to other places in the body. Secondary lung cancer is when cancer from another place in the body spreads to the lungs.

risk increases with

• Adults over 65.
• Smoking. Cigarettes (highest risk and risk increases with number smoked over time), pipes, and cigars.
• Secondhand smoke.
• Radon gas.
• Lung diseases.
• Personal or family history of lung cancer.
• Environmental exposure to asbestos, nickel, uranium ore, chromates, bischloromethyl ether, or air pollution.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES

• Don't smoke. Because tumors don't develop for a long time, smokers can quit at any time and greatly reduce the risk of developing lung cancer.
• Obtain regular health check-ups that may include a chest x-ray or CT scan if you are a heavy smoker.
• Check your house for radon gas.

expected outcomes

Outcome depends on the type of cancer, whether it has spread, patient's general health, and response to treatment. The outcome is more favorable with early diagnosis compared to diagnosis of advanced disease. Early diagnosis improves the success rate of treatment.

possible complications

• Spinal cord compression (decreased feeling in lower half of the body).
• Complications from treatments.
• Hypercalcemia (excess calcium in the body).
• Spread to other body parts, which can be fatal.

 diagnosis & treatment

general measures

• Your health care provider will do a physical exam and ask questions about your symptoms. A number of medical tests will be done. The tests first help diagnose the cancer and then determine if it has spread (staging).
• Treatment varies and depends on location and size of tumor, any spread of the cancer, your health, age, and preferences. Treatment may include surgery, anticancer drugs (chemotherapy), biologic/targeted therapy, and/or radiation therapy.
• Chemotherapy uses drugs and radiation therapy uses radiation to attack the cancer cells. Biologic/targeted therapy uses drugs/agents to fight cancer.
• Surgery to remove all of the lung (pneumonectomy) or part of the lung (lobectomy) may be recommended if cancer is at an early stage.
• Treatment may involve steps to relieve symptoms and make you comfortable, rather than treating the cancer.
• Counseling may help you cope with having cancer.
• To learn more: American Cancer Society; (800) ACS-2345; website: www.cancer.org or National Cancer Institute; (800) 4-CANCER; website: www.nci.nih.gov.

medications

• For minor pain, use nonprescription drugs such as acetaminophen or aspirin (not for children).
• Stronger pain drugs and nausea or anti-anxiety drugs may be prescribed.
• Chemotherapy or biologic/targeted therapy drugs may be prescribed.

activity

Be as active as possible. Following treatments, follow medical advice about resuming activities.

diet

No special diet.

 notify our office if

• You or a family member has lung cancer symptoms.
• After diagnosis, any symptoms occur that cause you concern. (Treatments can cause side effects.).

Special Notes: