The state of uncontrolled proliferation of tissues and cells in the lungs is called lung cancer.
What is Lung Cancer?
In order for vital activities to continue, oxygen is taken into the body and produced. The carbon dioxide emitted must also be expelled. Thanks to this function of the tissues and cells in the lungs, the body receives the oxygen it needs regularly and sends carbon dioxide, which can be considered as waste, out of the body. These organs, which fill the majority of the chest cavity and have a cone-shaped, spongy structure; It consists of bronchi, (air tubes), alveoli, (air sacs), fluid (lymph fluid), and blood vessels. Cancer is usually named according to the tissue from which it first appeared.
Uncontrolled proliferation of tissues and cells in the lungs is called lung cancer. These cells, which can also be defined as tumor cells, multiply rapidly and form a massive structure over time. With the progression of cancer, cancer cells spread to surrounding tissues and organs. In some cases, cancer can spread to distant organs, as cancer cells mix with the circulatory system.
In this case, which is also defined as metastasis, the treatment of the disease becomes much more difficult. Lung cancer cases, which make up 12% to 16% of all cancer cases, take the first place in cancer-related deaths in both women and men. In other words, the cause of 17% to 28% of cancer-related deaths is lung cancer. The main cause of lung cancer is smoking. While the risk of developing lung cancer in non-smokers is 3%, this rate rises to 61% in those who smoke a pack of cigarettes a day.
Cancer formation begins in the cells that form the building blocks of all tissues in the body. The lungs, like all other organs, are made up of cells. These cells divide and multiply when needed in order for the lung to function in a healthy way. Lung cancer occurs when cells from structurally normal lung tissue multiply out of need and out of control.
Due to cell proliferation, a tumor (usually seen as a solid nodule) occurs in the lung. The mass formed by cancer cells is primarily located in the lung. It grows, if not treated, it spreads to many tissues and organs such as liver, brain, bone and causes mass formation (metastasis) and damage in those areas. If metastases develop, treatment becomes more difficult.
What is a Solid Nodule?
Nodule; It is a lesion that is surrounded by airy lung tissue, is single in number, smaller than 3 cm in diameter, has clear borders, is generally round, and is not accompanied by conditions such as lymph node enlargement or fluid. The features used to distinguish whether the nodule seen in the lung is benign or malignant are the size of the nodule, its margin, the presence of calcification, its density features and its growth. The diameter of the nodules developing due to lung cancer is usually larger than 3 cm. Nodules with an increase in size of more than 25% compared to the previous tomographic evaluation are also usually evaluated in terms of cancer risk. Solid nodules, that is, nodules that are not cystic or filled with fluid, are at high risk for cancer. A solid nodule is usually referred to as a mass in the lung.
What are the Symptoms of Lung Cancer?
Lung cancer, which is the leading cause of death worldwide, usually progresses silently without any obvious symptoms. Therefore, it is often difficult to detect at an early stage. However, it is extremely important to recognize the early signs of lung cancer. Particularly, middle-aged and older people who smoke should have regular health check-ups. Diagnosing lung cancer at an early stage greatly increases the chances of cure.
Lung cancer symptoms take place in a very wide spectrum. Early symptoms of the disease include swelling of the face, hoarseness, swelling of the lymph nodes, weakness, high fever, unexplained weight loss, finger deformities, dizziness, and difficulty swallowing.
These symptoms may differ depending on where the cancer is located and the size of the tumor. Sometimes it can take years for the symptoms of lung cancer to appear. In fact, in 25% of patients, cancer does not cause any symptoms. can progress to the final stage. Therefore, it is recommended that people in the risk group have regular health check-ups. Some of the most common symptoms of lung cancer can be listed as follows:
- Persistent cough that gets worse,
- Back pain due to coughing,
- Change in sputum color,
- Bloody sputum,
- Wheezing,
- Hoarseness of voice,
- Difficulty breathing,
- Feeling of being stuck in the throat,
- Difficulty swallowing,
- Frequently having pneumonia and bronchitis,
- Swelling in the neck and face areas,
- Swelling of the fingertips and toes, (clubbing)
- Bone pain,
- Anemia,
- droopy eyelid,
- Reduced pupil,
- Headache,
- Loss of appetite,
- Weight loss,
- Weakness,
- Fatigue.
What are the Types of Lung Cancer?
While cancer formation in the lungs is defined as primary (primary) lung cancer, but the type of lung cancer that metastasizes to the lungs is called secondary lung cancer. Primary lung cancer is examined in two main groups as small cell (oat cell) lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer. Approximately 88% of primary lung cases are in the non-small cell group. Small cell lung, on the other hand, mostly develops due to smoking and spreads faster to the body through the lymphatic system and circulatory system in the early period.
What are the Causes of Lung Cancer?
Smoking is one of the leading causes of lung cancer. use comes. Asbestos may play a role in the development of cancer, as it causes long-term irritation of the respiratory tract. Inhalation of chemicals such as arsenic, beryllium, cadmium, vinyl chloride, as well as radon, an odorless radioactive gas found in homes, and tuberculosis (tuberculosis) increases the risk of developing lung cancer.
Lung cancer can also be seen in people who have genetic predisposition, air pollution and previously received radiotherapy. In addition to all these, having had lung cancer can be counted among the factors that increase the likelihood of developing lung cancer again.
Some of the risky occupations for lung cancer can be listed as mining, shipyard worker, painting, casting worker, chimney cleaning, petrochemical work, glass ceramic work and battery workers.
What are the Stages of Lung Cancer? ?
Lung cancer is divided into 4 different stages:
- Stage 1: The cancer is inside the lung. In other words, it has not spread to the lymph nodes and the size of the mass is less than 5 cm.
- Stage 2: Although the cancer has not spread to the lymph nodes, it is close to the diaphragm or rib cage that separates the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity. The mass size is 5 to 7 cm. is in the range. Stage 2 lung cancer is also considered if the tumor is smaller than 7 cm but the cancer has spread near the lymph nodes or bronchi.
- Stage 3/A: Cancer cells have spread to the lymph nodes between the lungs or are close to the trachea . In addition, cases that have not spread to the lymph nodes but have spread to organs such as the heart and trachea are also considered within the scope of stage 3/A. Stage 3/B: The cancer is close to the lymph nodes in the midline of the chest, the heart, or the area where the trachea divides.
- Stage 4: The cancer is found in both lungs. It has spread to the fluid surrounding the lungs and heart or to other parts of the body such as the brain and bone.
What are the Diagnosis and Treatment Methods for Lung Cancer?
Diagnostic studies in lung cancer It starts with a detailed medical history and physical examination. Additional laboratory tests and radiological examinations are required to confirm the diagnosis and exclude diseases in the differential diagnosis. These radiological examinations are performed by radiological imaging procedures such as chest radiography and/or CT.
For the definitive diagnosis of lung cancer, a biopsy is taken from the lung tissue and its mass. Pathological examination provides the determination of the cell type in which the cancer develops and the distinguishing features of cancer cells by different pathological methods. r. In this way, the most appropriate treatment method and plan for the patient is selected.
The treatment of lung cancer differs depending on factors such as the type and stage of lung cancer and the general health status of the patient. The treatment of the disease is regulated by the application of immunotherapy, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and surgical methods alone or together.
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