Types Of Lung Cancer

 Lung cancer is the second most common type of cancer after breast cancer in women and prostate cancer in men. The type of lung cancer might differ based on a person's region and smoking patterns. The survival rates of lung cancer are dismal, with a 15% survival rate in developed countries and a 5% survival rate in developing countries. 

It is evident that the survival rate of lung cancer patients is comparatively higher in developed countries than in developing ones. This may be because of the advanced medical technologies that developed countries have. One such advancement is the use of Computed Tomography. Screening high-risk patients with a low dose of Computed Tomography has helped reduce the mortality rate of high-risk cancer patients by 20%.

What is Lung Cancer?

As the name suggests, lung cancer is a type of cancer that affects the lungs. Many times, it spreads to other parts of the body as well. This is because it has very few symptoms, and in many cases, before the person gets to know that they are affected with lung cases, it has already spread to many parts of the body. 

It is generally seen in people who smoke, while in many cases, it can also occur due to a variety of reasons. There are two major types of lung cancer: non-small cell lung cancers and small cell lung cancer. 

Lung Cancer: Causes & Symptoms

A look at the causes and symptoms of lung cancer will help us to understand the disease better. 

• Symptoms

As discussed earlier, lung cancer does not reflect the symptoms in the earlier stages of cancer. It is generally detected when cancer has reached its advanced stage. Below is the list of symptoms that can help you detect lung cancer even in the earlier stages.

 

1. Cough: Usually, when a person gets a cough, it goes away in some time. Whereas if the cough persists for a long time, it may be a symptom of lung cancer.

2. Blood in Cough:  If you cough and even a small amount of blood comes, you should consult our doctor.

3. Breathlessness: If you often feel hard to take a breath while walking a very short distance, you are also experiencing shortness of breath that might signal lung cancer.

4. Sudden weight loss: It might sound good to lose weight suddenly without even trying. However, it might be dangerous as a person suddenly loses weight when they are affected by a serious disease like cancer.

• Causes

• Smoking is the biggest cause of lung cancer. Not only the person who is smoking but the one who is constantly exposed to the smoke, which is also referred to as secondhand smoke, can also develop lung cancer. But, this does not mean that lung cancer can't affect them if a person never smoked or hasn't been a prolonged consumer of smoke. There can be many other reasons like heredity, living in a highly polluted area, or asbestos.

How Many Types of Lung Cancer are There?

Knowing which lung cancer you are having is very important to carry out the proper treatment. This is because the types of cancer you have will tell which cell the cancer started in. Through this, your doctor will be able to decide which kind of treatment will be best suited for you. 

If cancer starts from your lungs, it's named primary cancer. But, if it originated from any other body part and spread to your lungs, then it would be called secondary cancer. 

Primary cancer is further divided into two parts. Let's learn more about these types one by one.

Small Cell Lung Cancer

Nearly 15 or 20 people out of every 100 lung cancer patients have this type of cancer. This is caused by smoking.

Small cell lung malignancies are another name for neuroendocrine tumours. Neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) are rarely found in tumours generated in the cells of the neuroendocrine system. In small cell lung cancer, the tumour starts in the neuroendocrine cells of the lungs.

Non-Small Lung Cancer

In the United Kingdom, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for 80 to 85 percent of lung cancer cases. Adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and large cell carcinoma are the most prevalent forms. They've been grouped such because their behaviours and responses to therapy are similar.

Adenocarcinoma

This is the most frequent form, and it begins in the mucus-producing gland cells in the airway lining.

Squamous cell cancer

This kind thrives on the fat cells that coat the surface of your airways. It generally manifests itself in the middle of the month.

Large cell carcinoma

The cancer cells seem big and spherical under the microscope.

Other Types of Non-Small Cell Cancers

If your cancer cells are immature under the microscope, your doctor cannot  tell what type of cancer you have. The team may conduct further assessment to confirm diagnosis. 

Bottom Line

Therefore, it is suggested to consult an oncology doctor even if you see mild symptoms of lung cancer in your body. If you talk about the consultation from an oncology doctor, you should visit Dr PK Das, the best lung cancer doctor in Delhi NCR. 

Being the best oncologist in Delhi, NCR, he is known for providing the best possible treatment to his patients. Since the lung is a crucial organ of our body, it is vital to consult the best oncology doctor in Delhi NCR, Dr PK Das.