LUNG CANCER

SJC SJ C A N C ER S O C I E TY C LU B 2 0 1 9 - 2020
What is Lung Cancer?
Lung cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in one or both lungs.
These abnormal cells do not carry out the functions of normal lung cells and do
not develop into healthy lung tissue. As they grow, the abnormal cells can form
tumors and interfere with the functioning of the lung, which provides oxygen to
the body via the blood.
How is Lung Cancer Diagnosed?
Imaging Tests
Your doctor might order imaging tests that may help find lung cancer. Imaging tests make
pictures of the inside of your body. These pictures help doctors to find lung cancer, to
see if it has spread, to see if treatment is working or to find a cancer that has come back
after treatment. These tests include:
 Computed tomography (CT) scan
 Positron emission tomography (PET) scan
 Bone scan
 How is Lung Cancer Diagnosed?
Procedures: doctors must study tissue or fluid from or around the lung. Many different procedures allow doctors to remove cells
from the body and look at them under a microscope to determine if they are cancer. These tests include:

 Bronchoscopy biopsy

Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS)

Endoscopic esophageal ultrasound (EUS)

Mediastinoscopy and mediastinotomy

Thoracoscopy or video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) biopsy

Sputum cytology

Thoracentesis

Fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy

Open biopsy
How is Lung Cancer Diagnosed?
Tumor Testing

Ask your doctor if your lung cancer tumor should be tested for certain DNA
changes. These tests—sometimes referred to as molecular, biomarker or genomic
testing—look for changes (mutations) in the tumor's DNA and evaluate levels of
specific proteins present in the tumor. When doctors have this information, they
may suggest treatment that targets the mutation in the cells. Learn more about
tumor testing.
What are the signs/symptoms of Lung
Cancer
Many people with lung cancer don't have symptoms until the disease is in its later stages. Because there are
very few nerve endings in the lungs, a tumor could grow without causing pain or discomfort. When
symptoms are present, they are different in each person, but may include:

A cough that doesn't go away and gets worse over time

Hoarseness

Constant chest pain

Shortness of breath or wheezing

Frequent lung infections such as bronchitis or pneumonia

Coughing up blood
What are the signs/symptoms of Lung
Cancer
Some symptoms of lung cancer may not seem related to the lungs or breathing. These symptoms can
still be a sign of lung cancer because lung cancer usually does not cause symptoms in its earlier stages:

Weight loss
Loss of appetite
Headaches
Bone pain or fractures
Blood clots
Some people, unfortunately, go misdiagnosed for a long time because their symptoms are
similar to other diagnoses such as pneumonia, allergies or a cold.
What are the risk factors of Lung
Cancer
Anyone can get lung cancer. Lung cancer occurs when cells in the lung mutate or change. Various
factors can cause this mutation to happen. Most often, this change in lung cells happens when
people breathe in dangerous, toxic substances. Even if you were exposed to these substances
many years ago, you are still at risk for lung cancer.

Smoking: Smoking is the number one cause of lung cancer. It causes about 90 percent of lung
cancer cases. Tobacco smoke contains many chemicals that are known to cause lung cancer.
Breathing in secondhand smoke also puts you at risk for lung cancer or other illnesses.

Radon: Radon exposure is the second-leading cause of lung cancer. Radon is a colorless,
odorless radioactive gas that exists naturally in soil. Exposure to radon combined with cigarette
smoking seriously increases your lung cancer risk
What are the risk factors of Lung
Cancer
 Hazardous Chemicals: Exposure to certain hazardous chemicals poses a lung cancer risk.
Working with materials such as asbestos, uranium, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, nickel and some
petroleum products is especially dangerous.

Particle Pollution: Particle pollution refers to a mix of very tiny solid and liquid particles that
are in the air we breathe. Evidence shows that particle pollution—like that coming from that
exhaust smoke—increases the risk of lung cancer

Genes: Genetic factors also may play a role in one's chances of developing lung cancer. A family
history of lung cancer may mean you are at a higher risk of getting the disease.
THIS IS LUNG CANCER!
References
https://www.lungcancer.org/find_information/publications/163-
lung_cancer_101/265-what_is_lung_cancer

https://www.lung.org/lung-health-and-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/lung-
cancer/learn-about-lung-cancer/how-is-lung-cancer-diagnosed/