Introduction
Lung cancer is the most common type of cancer worldwide. The National Cancer Institute estimates that for 2017, some 228,240 people will be diagnosed with lung cancer and 157,320 will die from it in the United States alone. As with most other forms of cancer, early detection is crucial to the best possible outcomes. Learn more about this disease to protect yourself and your family, here.
What is Lung Cancer?
Lung cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the lungs. The lungs are two spongy organs in your chest that take in oxygen and release carbon dioxide.
It is the leading cause of cancer death in both men and women in the United States. It is also one of the hardest cancers to detect early as the majority of the cases are diagnosed at an advanced stage, resulting in higher incidence of mortality.
There are two main types of lung cancer: non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC). NSCLC is the most common type of lung cancer, accounting for about 85 percent of all cases. SCLC is less common but more aggressive, and it spreads more quickly than NSCLC.
Lung cancer can be caused by smoking, exposure to secondhand smoke, radon gas, asbestos, and other environmental toxins. People who have a family history of lung cancer or who have certain genetic mutations are also at increased risk.
There are several symptoms of lung cancer, including a cough that does not go away, shortness of breath, chest pain, hoarseness, weight loss, and fatigue. However, these symptoms can also be caused by other conditions, so it is important to see a doctor if you are experiencing any of them.
If a patient is diagnosed with lung cancer, there are several treatment options available, including surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. The type of treatment given to the patient will depend on the stage of their cancer upon diagnosis.
Our doctors are uniquely suited to detect and diagnose many different diseases, including lung cancer, and could be crucial in early detection.
What are the risk factors of lung cancer?
Lung cancer is one of the most common and deadly types of cancer. It is estimated that over 221,000 people will be diagnosed with lung cancer in the United States this year alone. The risk factors for developing lung cancer are many, but some are more well-known than others.
Smoking: By far, the leading cause of lung cancer is smoking cigarettes. It is estimated that smokers have a 20-30 times higher risk of developing lung cancer compared to non-smokers. Even if you have quit smoking, your risk is still higher than someone who has never smoked before.
Exposure to secondhand smoke: If you are exposed to secondhand smoke on a regular basis, your risk of developing lung cancer increases. This is especially true if you are a nonsmoker.
Radon exposure: Radon is a gas that can be found in homes and buildings. It comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in rock and soil. Radon gas can seep into homes through cracks in the foundation and accumulate over time. Exposure to high levels of radon gas can increase your risk of developing lung cancer.
Asbestos exposure: Asbestos is a material that was once used extensively in construction and other industries. It has been linked to several types of cancers, including lung cancer. If you have been exposed to asbestos fibers, your risk of developing lung cancer increases.
Family history: If you have a family member who has had lung cancer
For any other questions, consult our FAQs.
What are the types of lung cancer?
There are two main types of lung cancer: non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC). NSCLC is the most common type of lung cancer, accounting for about 85% of all cases. It is typically divided into three subtypes: adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and large cell carcinoma. SCLC accounts for the remaining 15% of cases and is generally considered to be more aggressive than NSCLC.
Lung cancer can also be classified by stage, which refers to how far the cancer has spread. Stage I means the cancer is confined to the lungs, while stage IV, the most advanced, means it has spread to other parts of the body. Learning how EVA works could be the vital step to keep this from happening.
Does lung cancer spread quickly?
Lung cancer is a serious disease that can spread quickly if it is not treated early. It is important to see your doctor if you think you may have lung cancer, so that it can be diagnosed and treated as soon as possible. There are many treatments available for lung cancer, and the earlier it is caught, the better the chances of successful treatment.
Is lung cancer curable?
Lung cancer is not curable, but it is treatable. Early detection and treatment are essential for the best possible outcome.
Lung cancer treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and targeted therapy. Surgery is the most common treatment for NSCLC. The type of surgery depends on the stage of the cancer. For early-stage cancers, surgery may be the only treatment needed. For more advanced cancers, surgery may be combined with other treatments, such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
How is chemotherapy used for treatment of lung cancer?
Chemotherapy is a common treatment for both NSCLC and SCLC. Chemotherapy is a treatment for cancer that uses drugs to kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy can be given as a pill, or it can be given through a needle in the vein. The chemotherapy drugs travel through the bloodstream to reach all areas of the body where cancer cells are present.
There are many different chemotherapy drugs, and they are often used in combination with each other. The side effects of chemotherapy depend on the type and dose of drugs used, as well as the person’s overall health and how well they tolerate treatment.
Some common side effects of chemotherapy include fatigue, nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, mouth sores, hair loss, and easy bruising or bleeding. These side effects usually go away after treatment is finished.
Chemotherapy is often used in combination with other treatments such as surgery and radiation therapy.
How is radiation therapy used for lung cancer treatment?
Radiation therapy is a type of cancer treatment that uses high-energy waves or particles to destroy cancer cells. It can be used to shrink tumors, kill cancer cells, and relieve symptoms such as pain. Radiation therapy can be given externally, from a machine outside the body, or internally, from a device placed inside the body.
How EVA Teleconsult can help protect you from lung cancer
EVA Teleconsult is prepared to identify most common diseases quickly, including lung cancer. That’s because, with us, our patients can always expect the following:
- Timely appointments – No more time wasted while waiting outside a doctor’s office. With us, appointments begin right when they’re supposed to, even if they’re made the same day.
- Guaranteed 30-minute consultation times – No more rushing or quickly dashed off prescriptions with no explanations. Our doctors take the time needed to give you information about your concerns, and are open to answering all your questions.
- 5-star ratings for our doctors – Because our doctors know to explain things in a way patients can understand, we frequently get positive feedback from them.
Get started on getting the treatment you or your loved one need, and book an online consultation today.
