Unlike other organs of the body, one’s lungs are more exposed to the external environment and hence vulnerable for an attack by carcinogenic cells. Lung cancer could be either a small cell lung cancer or a non small cell lung cancer. All type of lung cancers other than those occurring in small cells are tagged as non small cell lung cancer, also abbreviated as NSCLC. NSCLC makes up 75% of lung cancer. Chemotherapy is the best method of treatment for small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer.

Three most common forms of lung cancer are:

1. Adenocarcinoma/Bronchoalveolar Cancer

2. Squamous Cell Carcinoma

3. Large Cell Carcinoma

There are a lot of factors that account for cancerous growth in lung cells. These comprise:

1. Smoking habits: People who smoke are more leveled to inhale carcinogenic particulate in their lungs with cigarette fumes. This further worsens in smokers who burn more than 20 cigarettes per day. Passive smokers are also in danger of inhaling such carcinogenic particles with cigarette smoke.

2. Exposure to asbestos: This is found to further increase the likelihood of cancer
3. Exposure to petroleum based chemicals: These chemicalsinclude Aromatic Polycyclic Hydrocarbon and chemicals such as Beryllium, Nickel, Copper, Chromium and Cadmium. Exposure to such chemicals makes a person prone to lung cancer.

Symptoms of Lung Cancer

The symptoms of lung cancer depend on two variables:

1. An existing primary tumor in lungs

2. Metastasis (A stage where cancer cells reach other parts of the body)

Lung cancer does not show much evidence before it becomes metastatic, yet a primary tumor in lungs could be examined under an X-Ray film. The symptoms of primary tumor in lungs include:

• Frequent Coughs

• Shortness of breath

• Difficulty in breathing

• Coughing or spitting blood (Hemoptysis)

• Respiratory infections

• Difficulty in swallowing food

Symptoms of metastatic cancer depend on size and region of occurrence. Metastasis of lung cancer could occur in liver, adrenal glands, bones, and brain.

Tests and Diagnosis of Lung Cancer

An X-Ray film could determine any cancerous growth in lungs. A medical practitioner could initially interview the patient, analyze the symptoms being faced and then could refer them to seasoned specialists called as Bronchologist or Pulmonologist and Oncologist. Some common technologies to evaluate cancer are:

1. Imaging Study: A cancerous mass could be examined either by X-Rays or CT Scan

2. Sputum Analysis: Sputum is the natural phenomenon of body to emit the dust particles and contaminants through respiratory air tract. Sputum of patients stating lung cancer shoots out tumor cells which could be further detected by cytology (Cell Study).

3. Bronchoscopy: Bronchoscopy involves use of a device called Endoscope. Endoscope is a thin tube with a camera at one end, which is inserted into the nose or mouth of the patient. This further goes and captures the inside images of the lungs.

4. Biopsy: Biopsy is a procedure of studying the cellular extract under microscopic purview. A qualified pathologist does this. Doctors or pathologists may use bronchoscope or endoscope to collect the bronchial extract.

5. Mediastinum: Lung cancer could infiltrate lymph nodes in the area between lungs and middle of the chest called Mediastinum. Endoscope is inserted as an incision over breast area and the extract drawn out is studied. Presence of enlarged lymph nodes in this extract shows lung cancer.

Staging of Lung Cancer

Staging is a tendency to categorize disease based on seriousness of symptoms. Staging of lung cancer is done by sorting a combination of three parameters, which include:

1. T- Refers to the size i.e. the extent of a primary tumor which could be X, 1,2,3,4

2. N- Meaning the region of lungs where lymph nodes are detected. This could be 0,1,2,3

3. M-This shows metastatic involvement (0, 1) in a typical lung cancer. 0 signifies no metastasis and 1 shows that the cancer has become metastatic.

Lung Cancer Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is the practice of using anticancer drugs to destroy outrageously growing cancer cells in the body. Chemotherapy could be given after surgery or radiation to clear the remaining cancer cells (Adjuvant chemotherapy) or it might be administered as an initial treatment for metastatic lung cancer (Neoadjuvant chemotherapy). Most chemotherapeutic medication for lung cancer or NSCLC use Platinum based regimen. Patients suffering from non small cell lung cancer are usually prescribed a NSCLC chemotherapy regimen that needs to be taken inside the hospital in most of the cases. A doctor gives chemotherapy in several sittings comprising of 4-6 cycles. This is generally given in the form of intravenous injections or in the form of pills to the patient. Lung cancer chemotherapy side effects can arise often but these can be treated.

Regardless the procedure of the treatment, chemotherapy has some shortcomings; it affects cancer plus normal growing cells in the body. Thus disrupts normal body functions by causing certain lung cancer chemotherapy side effects. Some of these include:

1. Hair fall

2. Low count of RBC resulting anemia

3. Low WBC count making one prone to infections

4. Upset stomach and low appetite

5. Bruising and excessive bleeding

Nonetheless, these ailments are unusual they subside once the treatment is over.

Survival with cancer is often challenging for a diseased and their loved ones. One might not feel like living their life further after the treatment. Patients should show motivational and positive outlook towards any situation. One could join some supportive groups or hire a professional counselor to cope up with the disease and it’s after effect.