Lung Cancer: Important Things You Need to Know

Lung cancer is regarded as the third most common cancer people battle with worldwide. It is brought about by harmful cells in your lungs growing unchecked. Keep in mind your cells divide and make more copies or themselves as part of their normal function.

However, they sometimes get changes that cause them to keep making more of themselves when they shouldn’t. Damaged cell diving uncontrollably create masses, or tumors, of tissue that eventually keep your organs from working effectively. You can regard to lung cancer as the name given for cancers that start in your lungs.

It is essential to note that cancers that start in other places and move to your lungs are usually named for where they start. At times, you healthcare provider may regard to this as cancer that’s metastatic to your lungs.

While there are many cancers that affect the lungs, we usually use the term ‘lung cancer’ for two main kinds i.e. non-small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains to be the most common type of lung cancer and accounts for over 80% of lung cancer cases.

Among the most common types you need to know about include adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Adenosquamous carcinoma and sarcomatoid carcinoma are two less common types of NSCLC.

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) grows more quickly and is harder to treat than NSCLC. It is often found as a relatively small lung tumor that’s already spread to other parts of your body. Specific types of SCLC include small cell carcinoma and combined small cell carcinoma.

Other types of cancer can start in or around your lungs including lymphomas, sarcomas, and pleural mesothelioma. These are treated differently and usually aren’t referred to as lung cancer as some people tend to think.

It is essential to remember that most lung cancer symptoms look similar to other, less serious illness. Many people don’t have symptoms until the disease is advanced, but some people have symptoms in the early stages.

For those who do experience symptoms, it may only be one or a few of these; a cough that doesn’t go away or gets worse over time, trouble breathing or shortness of breath, chest pain or discomfort, wheezing, coughing up blood, and hoarseness, to mention a few. Ensure you see a doctor if you notice any of these symptoms.