Lung Cancer

Lung Cancer Statistics

Global Statistics

It is the 2nd most common cancer worldwide. In 2020, over 2.2 million new cases of lung cancer were registered and it resulted in 1.80 million deaths.

Indian Statistics

It is the 4th most common cancer in India. In 2018, over 67,795 new cases of lung cancer were registered and it caused over 63,475 deaths.

What is Lung Cancer & What Causes it?

Cancer that originates in the lungs, typically in the airways (bronchi or bronchioles) or small air sacs (alveoli) is termed lung cancer.

It is caused due to uncontrolled cell growth in the lungs. This accelerated growth of damaged cells results in tumors hindering proper organ function.

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Types of Lung Cancer

There are two types of lung cancer

Non-small cell lung cancer

It accounts for over 80% of lung cancer cases. A few non-small cell lung cancers are adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, adenosquamous carcinoma and sarcomatoid carcinoma.

Small cell lung cancer

It is a rapidly growing lung tumor that affects other body parts quickly and is harder to treat. A few small cell lung cancers are small cell carcinoma or oat cell carcinoma and combined small cell carcinoma.

Some of the other types of cancer affecting the lung area are lymphomas (cancer in your lymph nodes), sarcomas (cancer in your bones or soft tissue) and pleural mesothelioma (cancer in the lining of your lungs).

However, these cancers are not regarded as lung cancer and are treated differently.

What are the Risk Factors?

Smoking is the prime cause of lung cancer worldwide. Consumption of tobacco products such as cigarettes, cigars or pipes contributes to 80% of lung cancer deaths globally.

Some other factors include:

• Exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke
• Exposure to air pollution, radon, asbestos, uranium, diesel exhaust, silica, coal products and other harmful substances
• History of radiation treatments to the chest area
• Family history of lung cancer

Disclaimer: Having one or all of the below listed factors, does not necessarily mean it is Cancer. Get in touch with our Cancer Expert today to know more.

Stages of Lung Cancer

Cancer is staged depending on the tumor size, its growth and spread. Primary staging includes:

• Stage 0 (in-situ): Cancer is detected and is present in the top lung lining or bronchus.
• Stage I: Cancer is not spreading at this stage.
• Stage II: Cancer has spread to the lymph nodes inside the lung. At this stage, there can be one or more tumor present in the same lobe of the lung.
• Stage III: At this stage, cancer starts spreading to nearby lymph nodes and structures. Additionally, there can be over one tumor in other lobes of the same lung.
• Stage IV: At this stage, cancer starts spreading to the other lung. It also affects the fluid around the lung, the fluid around the heart or distant organs at this stage.

Signs and Symptoms of Lung Cancer

Symptoms may vary from person to person. Mostly, lung cancer symptoms look like less serious illnesses such as the common cold. While few may have symptoms in the early stage, some may experience zero symptoms until the advanced stage.

A few common signs of lung cancer include:

• Prolonged cough
• Dyspnea
• Chest pain or discomfort
• Wheezing
• Hemoptysis
• Hoarseness
• Loss of appetite
• Sudden weight loss
• Continuous fatigue
• Shoulder pain Superior vena cava syndrome
• Horner’s syndrome

Diagnosis of Lung Cancer

If you are experiencing any of the above-mentioned symptoms, it is advised to visit a doctor. Upon a thorough physical examination, the doctor may prescribe blood tests and a chest x-ray.

In case of any suspicion, the below-mentioned tests may be prescribed for complete diagnosis -

CT scan

Biopsy

Molecular tests

Treatment of Lung Cancer

Treatment depends upon varied factors such as cancer type, stage, patient’s health and risks. But, lung cancer is commonly treated using:

Surgery

Radiofrequency ablation

Radiation therapy

Chemotherapy

Targeted drug therapy

Immunotherapy

Palliative care

What's New in Lung Cancer Research?

Several scientists are working globally to find better treatment for lung cancer patients and increase the life expectancy rate.

Below-listed is three major developments in lung cancer research:

1. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with HER2 mutation can now be administered with FDA-approved trastuzumab deruxtecan (Enhertu) as a part of their targeted therapy. Globally around 3% of NSCLC patients suffer from HER2 gene mutation and this development is going to positively impact their overall survival chances.
2. Clinical trials show a positive impact of the immunotherapy drug nivolumab (Opdivo) and chemotherapy before surgery in early-stage lung cancer patients. This combination delays the development and recurrence of lung cancer.
3. FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has approved atezolizumab (Tecentriq), an immunotherapy drug, as an additional, or adjuvant treatment post-surgery and chemotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients.

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