LUNG CANCER

WHAT IS LUNG CANCER?

Lung is a type of cancer that develops when abnormal cells grow uncontrollably in the lungs. It is a serious disease that can cause severe harm and death. Lung cancer is the most common cancer among Filipino males.

There are two main types of lung cancer:

NON-SMALL CELL LUNG CANCER (NSCLC)

About 80% to 85% of lung cancers are NSCLC.

SMALL CELL LUNG CANCER (SCLC)

SCLC is less common but tends to grow and spread faster than NSCLC.

SYMPTOMS

Most lung cancers do not cause any symptoms until they have spread, but some people with early lung cancer develop symptoms. Most of these symptoms are non-specific and more likely to be caused by something other than lung cancer.

Cough that does not go away or gets worse

Chest pain often worse with deep breathing, coughing, or laughing

Hoarseness

Loss of appetite

Shortness of breath

Coughing up blood or rust color sputum (spit or phlegm)

Feeling weak or tired

Unexplained weight loss

Infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia that don't go away or keep coming back

New onset of wheezing

Early symptoms of lung cancer may be mild or dismissed as common respiratory issues, leading to delayed diagnosis.

REFERENCES:

https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/lung-cancer
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/lung-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/signs-symptoms.html
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RISK FACTORS
Smoking is by far the leading risk factor for lung cancer. About 80% of lung cancer deaths are thought to result from smoking. The risk of lung cancer for people who smoke is many times higher than for people who don't smoke. The longer you smoke and the more packs a day you smoke,
the greater your risk.

Secondhand smoke can also increase your risk of developing lung cancer.

Other risk factors include air pollution
and workplace hazards like
chemicals and asbestos.

REFERENCES:

https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/lung-cancer/causes-risks-prevention/risk-factors.html
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/lung-cancer
Image from Freepik.

PREVENTION

Not smoking is the best way to prevent lung cancer. Avoiding secondhand smoke and the other risk factors will also lower your risk for lung cancer.

REFERENCES:

https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/lung-cancer/causes-risks-prevention/prevention.html
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/lung-cancer

DIAGNOSIS

Diagnostic methods for lung cancer include:

Physical examination

Imaging such as chest X-rays, computed tomography (CT) scans, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Examination of the inside of the lung using a bronchoscopy

Taking a sample of tissue (biopsy) for histopathology examination and determination of specific lung cancer type

Molecular testing to identify specific genetic mutations or biomarkers to guide the best treatment option

TREATMENT AND CARE

Early detection and treatment can prevent lung cancer from becoming worse and spreading to other parts of the body, increasing the chance of better treatment outcomes. Doctors from several disciplines often work together to provide treatment and care of people with lung cancer. Treatments for lung cancer are based on the type of cancer, how much it has spread, and the patient's medical history. Treatments include:

SURGERY

Surgery is often used in the early stages of lung cancer if the tumor has not spread to the other areas of the body. It is rarely used as part of the main treatment for lung cancer, as the cancer has usually already spread by the time it is found.

TYPES OF LUNG SURGERY

PNEUMONECTOMY

is the surgical removal of an entire lung. This might be needed if the tumor is close to the center of the chest.

LOBECTOMY

is the surgical removal of the entire lobe containing the tumor(s). The lungs are made up of 5 lobes (3 in the right lung and 2 in the left). If it can be done, lobectomy is often the preferred type of operation for lung cancer.

SEGMENTECTOMY OR WEDGE RESECTION

is the surgical removal of only the part of the lobe with tumor. This approach might be used if a person doesn't have enough normal lung function to withstand removing the whole lobe.

SLEEVE RESECTION

may be done to treat some cancers in large airways in the lungs. A surgeon may be able to do this operation instead of a pneumonectomy to preserve more lung function.

POSSIBLE RISKS AND COMPLICATIONS

Reaction to anesthesia

Excess Bleeding

Blood clots in the legs or lungs

Wound infections

Pneumonia

In rare cases, people might not survive the surgery.

REFERENCES:

https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/lung-cancer
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/lung-cancer/treating-small-cell/surgery.html
https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/pneumonectomy
https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/lobectomy
https://www.rwjbh.org/treatment-care/surgery/thoracic-surgery/thoracic-surgery-tests-and-procedures/lung-resection/
https://www.lungevity.org/for-patients-caregivers/navigating-your-diagnosis/treatment-options/surgery
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RADIATION THERAPY

Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays (or particles) to kill cancer cells.

REFERENCE:
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/lung-cancer/treating-small-cell/radiation-therapy.html

CHEMOTHERAPY

REFERENCE:
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/lung-cancer/treating-small-cell/chemotherapy.html

TARGETED THERAPY

REFERENCES:
1. https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/ lung-cancer/treatment/types-of-treatment/targeted-therapies
2. https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/types/targeted-therapies
3. Image by Freepik

IMMUNOTHERAPY

REFERENCES:
1. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/lung-cancer/treating-small-cell/immunotherapy.html
2. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/lung-cancer/treating-non-small-cell/targeted-therapies.html
3. Image by kjpargeter on Freepik

IMMUNE CHECKPOINT INHIBITORS

REFERENCES:
1. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/lung-cancer/treating-small-cell/immunotherapy.html
2. Image by Freepik

RADIOFREQUENCY ABLATION (RFA)

REFERENCES:
1. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/lung-cancer/treating-non-small-cell/radiofrequency-ablation.html
2. Image by Freepik

SUPPORTIVE CARE

Supportive care is important for people with lung cancer. It aims to manage symptoms, provide pain relief, and give emotional support. It can help to increase quality of life for people with lung cancer and their families.

REFERENCE: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/lung-cancer

PROGNOSIS

Several factors affect the survival outlook of lung cancer patients. These are:

STAGE OF LUNG CANCER
WHEN IT WAS DIAGNOSED
(HOW BIG IT IS AND WHETHER IT HAS SPREAD)

TYPE OF LUNG CANCER
SMALL CELL LUNG CANCER VS NON-SMALL CELL LUNG CANCER
(SCLC VS NSCLC)

YOUR GENERAL HEALTH AND FITNESS - THE FITTER YOU ARE, THE BETTER YOU MAY BE ABLE TO COPE WITH YOUR CANCER AND TREATMENT.

GENE CHANGES (MUTATIONS) - A TEST CALLED FISH (FLUORESCENCE IN SITU HYBRIDI-ZATION) CAN IDENTIFY ANY GENE CHANGES.

REFERENCE: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/lung-cancer/survival

This information is brought to you by Takeda Healthcare Philippines Inc.

Takeda and are registered trademarks of Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited.

This information is available to the general public for informational purposes only; it should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health condition or disease.
It is not intended to substitute for consultation with a healthcare provider. Please consult your healthcare provider for further advice.

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