Common symptoms include:

• Persistent or Worsening Cough
• Chest Pain
• Shortness of Breath
• Wheezing
• Coughing up Blood
• Chronic Fatigue
• Unexplained Weight Loss

Additionally, lung cancer can cause other changes in the body, such as recurring pneumonia or the enlargement of lymph nodes in the chest area.

Other types of cancer in the lungs

Lung cancer can manifest in various types beyond the common lung cancer, including lymphomas (cancer in lymph nodes), sarcomas (cancer in bones or soft tissue), and pleural mesothelioma (cancer in the lining of the lungs). These types are treated differently and are not typically referred to as lung cancer.

The staging of lung cancer is based on factors like the size of the primary tumor, its extent into surrounding tissues, and whether it has spread to lymph nodes or other organs. Each type of cancer has its own staging guidelines.

For lung cancer, the general staging is as follows:

Stage 0 (in-situ): Cancer is present in the top lining of the lung or bronchus, without spreading to other lung parts or outside the lung itself.

Stage I: Cancer has not spread outside the lung.

Stage II: Cancer is larger than Stage I, has spread to nearby lymph nodes within the lung, or multiple tumors are present in the same lung lobe.

Stage III: Cancer is larger than Stage II, has spread to nearby lymph nodes or adjacent structures, or multiple tumors are found in a different lobe of the same lung.

Stage IV: Cancer has spread to the other lung, the fluid surrounding the lung, the fluid around the heart, or distant organs.

For small cell lung cancer (SCLC), it can be categorized as limited or extensive stage:

Limited stage SCLC is confined to one lung and may involve lymph nodes in the middle of the chest or above the collarbone on the same side.

Extensive stage SCLC has spread widely throughout one lung or to the other lung, lymph nodes on the opposite side of the lung, or other parts of the body.

These stages and classifications help medical professionals determine the appropriate treatment and prognosis for individuals with lung cancer.

Lung Cancer Treatment & Diagnosis

Facing suspected lung cancer necessitates a thorough diagnostic process to determine its stage and type. This process involves imaging tests, biopsies, and genetic mutation analysis.

Staging the cancer is vital for designing an appropriate treatment plan. Healthcare professionals tailor treatments to meet the unique needs of each individual by determining the extent of cancer's spread. Common treatment options for lung cancer include:

• Surgery: Surgical removal of cancerous tissue.
• Chemotherapy: Use of powerful drugs to destroy or shrink cancer cells.
• Radiation Therapy: Application of high-energy rays to eliminate cancer cells.
• Targeted Therapy: Use of specific drugs to inhibit the growth and spread of cancer cells.

Often, a multidisciplinary approach involving pulmonologists, surgeons, medical oncologists, and radiation oncologists is adopted to deliver the most effective treatment for each patient's condition.