Lung Cancer Treatment Cost in India

1. Uncontrolled and abnormal growth of cells in the lungs is called lung cancer, and  growth is called tumor  
2. Tumors are further of two types:

• Benign tumors: are non-cancerous growths  
• Malignant tumors:  are cancerous growths

TYPES OF LUNG CANCER 

Broadly classified into two types based upon microscopic examination of cells 

Small cell lung cancers (SCLC) 

It is the most aggressive and rapidly growing 

SCLC is strongly associated with cigarette smoking. 

It has high metastatic potential i.e. it usually metastasize to other organs

Non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC)

The most common type 

It has 3 types depending on the cells found in the tumor

1. Adenocarcinomas 

2. Squamous cell carcinoma

3. Large cell carcinoma 

RISK FACTORS OF LUNG CANCER

1. Genetics 
2. Smoking 
3. Environmental tobacco exposure 
4. Asbestos 
5. Radon, a  radioactive element 
6. Prior radiation exposure especially in the chest area 

SYMPTOMS AND SIGNS

Ironically in most cases, lung cancer has no signs and symptoms in initial stages 

 Signs and symptoms are mostly seen when the diseases have progressed to an advanced stage.

• Persistent cough i.e. the cough that does not goes away
• Change in cough’s consistency if there is blood or more mucus than usual
• Changes in breathing pattern, such as shortness of breath
• Pain in the chest area, pain can be of dull or sharp, intermittent or constant
• Pain can radiate to shoulders or back
• Hoarseness in a voice that is present for more than two weeks.
• While breathing wheezing or whistling sounds
• Sudden and  unexplainable weight loss 
• Bone pain is an indicator of metastasis (metastasis is when cancer invades other organs), which worsens at night while resting at the back. 

DIAGNOSIS

Diagnosis has three pillars 

Detailed patient history- which includes sign, symptoms and associated risk factors discussed above 

Physical examination- Complete clinical respiratory examination along with an examination of other systems.

Laboratory investigations- These include:

• Chest X-ray
• CT scan
• Sputum (saliva ) cytology
• Biopsy

STAGES OF LUNG CANCER

Cancers are tagged into different stages depending upon the location, extent, and degree of metastatic involvement 

TREATMENT

The treatment options for lung cancer depend on the type of lung cancer you have.

• Small cell lung cancer: It is treated with chemotherapy because surgery cannot be done as the cancer is diagnosed when it has already metastasized, it is no more local or regional.
• Non-small cell lung cancer:  This form is treated with surgery, radiotherapy as well as chemotherapy or a combination, depending upon the stage of cancer.
   

Treatment Modalities :

1. Surgery: If cancer is in stage 1 and stage 2, with no metastasis then surgery is the best treatment approach with good prognosis 

Types of surgery 

• Wedge resection: In this surgery in which along with cancerous tissue a small part of healthy tissue is removed 
• Segmental resection: when comparatively a larger area of the lung removed it is known as segmental resection.
• Lobectomy: An operation to remove one of five lobes of the lung is knowns as lobectomy 
• Pneumonectomy: Surgery with aimed to remove an entire lung is called a pneumonectomy.

 
2. Chemotherapy: In this treatment modality drugs/ chemicals are utilized that interfere with cell divisions process, damages protein or DNA which results in the death of cancer cells. Side effects associated with chemotherapy are as follows:

• Nausea and vomiting 
• Appetite loss,
• Diarrhea
• Hair loss 
• Infection bleeding
• Mouth sores
   

3. Radiation Therapy: In this modality, high energy rays are focused on the tumor resulting in shrinkage or destruction of malignant cells. These high energy gamma rays are emitted from metals such as radium or a special machine. Side effects associated with radiation therapy are as follows: 

• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Loss of appetite
• Hair loss
• dry skin & irritation
• Sensitivity on the skin surface