What is lung cancer?Lung cancer starts when abnormal cells grow and multiply in an uncontrolled way. Cancer that begins in the lungs is called primary lung cancer. If cancer begins in another part of the body and spreads to the lungs it is know as secondary or metastatic cancer in the lung. Show
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death and the fifth most common cancer diagnosed in Australia excluding non-melanoma cancers. It is responsible for almost one in five cancer deaths in Australia. Lung cancer is the fifth most common cancer in Australia and accounts for 9% of all cancers. It was estimated that there would be 13,810 new cases of lung cancer diagnosed in Australian in 2021. The risk of being diagnosed with lung cancer in Australia by age 90 is 1 in 18. The chance of surviving lung cancer for at least five years is 19%. There are two main types of lung cancer: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)Non-small cell lung cancer is the most common type of lung cancer, accounting for around 85% of cases. There are sub-types of non-small cell lung cancer. The most common are:
Small cell lung cancer (SCLC)Small cell lung cancer usually begins in the middle of the lungs and spreads more quickly than non-small cell lung cancer. It accounts for around 15% of lung cancers. Symptoms of lung cancer may include:
Causes of lung cancerFactors that can increase your risk of lung cancer include:
Diagnosis of lung cancerYou may have a number of tests to determine if you have lung cancer. Chest x-rayAn x-ray can show larger tumours (more than 1cm wide). CT scanA computerised tomography (CT) scan uses x-ray beams to take pictures inside your body and create a cross-sectional image. A CT scan is able to detect smaller tumours as well as providing information about the tumour and lymph nodes. PET scanA positron emission tomography (PET) scan is used to stage lung cancer after a diagnosis. Lung function testYou may have a lung function test known as spirometry which checks how well your lungs are working. BiopsyA small sample of tissue will be taken if a tumour is suspected after a CT scan or x-ray. There are different types of biopsy including a bronchoscopy, CT-guided core biopsy and endobronchial ultrasound. Sputum cytologyThe sputum (mucus) from your lungs will be examined under a microscope to check for abnormal cells. After a diagnosis of lung cancerAfter finding out you have lung cancer you may feel shocked, upset, anxious or confused. These are normal responses. For most it will be a difficult time, however some people manage to continue with their normal daily activities. Talk about your treatment options with your doctor, family and friends. Seek as much information as you need. It is up to you how involved you want to be in decisions about your treatment. Learn more about best lung cancer care: Treatment for lung cancerTreatment will depend on the type of lung cancer you have, how advanced it is and your general health. StagingStaging is based on the TNM system and classified by the size of the primary tumour, or whether it has spread to the draining lymph nodes or more widely, particularly to the liver, bones, adrenal glands and brain. Surgeryif you have early stage non-small cell lung cancer you will most likely have surgery to remove the tumour. There are three main types of surgery:
Surgery is rarely used to treat small cell lung cancer. The main treatment for small cell lung cancer is chemotherapy. In addition, radiation therapy can be used to treat stages I-III small cell lung cancer. Radiation therapy (radiotherapy)Radiation therapy (also known as radiotherapy) uses x-rays to kill or damage cancer cells and may be offered alone or in combination with surgery or chemotherapy. Radiation therapy can be used to treat locally advanced (stage III) non-small cell lung cancer. You may have radiation therapy for early stage lung cancer if surgery is not an option. Radiotherapy may also be used after surgery or as a palliative treatment. Thermal ablationIf surgery or radiation therapy are not suitable, you may be offered ablation treatment for localised, stage I non-small cell lung cancer. You will have needles inserted into the cancer to destroy cancer cells by heating them. ChemotherapyChemotherapy uses anti-cancer drugs to destroy cancer cells. It can be used to treat both small cell and non-small cell lung cancer. Chemotherapy may be used before surgery to shrink a tumour. It may be used before or in conjunction with radiation therapy to improve its effectiveness, before surgery to shrink the cancer, or after surgery to reduce the risk of cancer coming back. ImmunotherapyImmunotherapy uses specific drugs to stimulate the body's immune system and can be used to treat some forms of non-small cell lung cancer. Targeted therapyTargeted therapy or personalised medicine targets specific mutations in cancer cells. Targeted therapy is generally used for advanced non-small cell lung cancer or if the cancer has returned. Palliative carePalliative care seeks to improve quality of life by reducing cancer symptoms without aiming to cure the disease. Palliative treatment can be used at any stage of advanced lung cancer to assist with managing symptoms such as pain and nausea as well as slow the spread of the cancer. Treatment TeamDepending on your treatment, your treatment team may consist of a number of different health professionals, such as:
Screening for lung cancerThere is currently no routine screening test for lung cancer in Australia. Health authorities in Australia agree that there are a number of unresolved issues requiring further consideration before lung cancer screening could be feasible in Australia. Preventing lung cancerThe most comprehensive study of cancer causation in Australia estimated that 81% of lung cancers in 2010 were caused by tobacco smoking. While there is no proven way to prevent lung cancer you can greatly reduce your risk by not smoking or quitting smoking tobacco, avoiding second-hand smoke and avoiding cancer-causing agents (carcinogens) at work. Prognosis for lung cancerPrognosis refers to the expected outcome of a disease. While it is not possible for a doctor to predict the exact course of the disease, they can give you an idea about the general outlook for people with the same type and stage of cancer. Your doctor will consider your test results, the type of lung cancer you have, the rate and extent of tumour growth, and other factors including your age, overall health and whether you are a smoker. The earlier the cancer is found the better the treatment outcomes will be. Sources
What is the abnormal growth of cells in the lungs?A neoplasm is an abnormal growth of cells in the lung. Neurofibromas are a type of noncancerous neoplasm. Types of malignant (cancerous) neoplasms include lung cancer and carcinoid tumors.
What is it called when a group of abnormal cells form a mass?(TOO-mer) An abnormal mass of tissue that forms when cells grow and divide more than they should or do not die when they should. Tumors may be benign (not cancer) or malignant (cancer). Benign tumors may grow large but do not spread into, or invade, nearby tissues or other parts of the body.
Is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in one or both lungs?What is lung cancer? Like other cancers, lung cancer develops when normal processes of cell division and growth are disrupted, giving way to abnormal, uncontrollable growth. The cells grow into a mass, or tumor.
What would a mass on the lungs mean?A lung mass is an abnormal growth or area in the lungs that is more than 3 centimeters in diameter. Anything smaller than this is classified as a lung nodule. Lung masses can be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). In most cases, lung masses are cancerous.
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