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 constipation or diarrhoea
• An urgency to move the bowels
• Rectal cramping, or rectal bleeding
• Dark patches of blood in or on stool; or long, thin, "pencil stools"
• Abdominal discomfort or bloating
• Unexplained fatigue, loss of appetite, and/or weight loss
• Pelvic pain, which occurs at later stages of the disease

Risk Factor Of Lung Cancer Include:

• 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

Stages 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)

Treatment of Lung Cancer

Stage I/II : Surgery can be considered

Stage III : Combination of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy may be required

IV : Chemotherapy, oral targeted therapy, immunotherapy and radiation therapy are treatment options