Lung Cancer from Detection to Treatment
What is Lung Cancer?
Lung cancer happens when abnormal cells grow uncontrollably in the lungs.
There are two main types:
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
The most common type
Includes:
Adenocarcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma
Large cell carcinoma
Small Cell Lung Cancer
A fast-growing and aggressive type that spreads quickly.
Lung cancer happens when abnormal cells grow uncontrollably in the lungs.
There are two main types:
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
The most common type
Includes:
Adenocarcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma
Large cell carcinoma
Small Cell Lung Cancer
A fast-growing and aggressive type that spreads quickly.
1. Initial Detection / Scanning
Symptoms:
Persistent cough
Coughing blood
Chest pain
Shortness of breath
Unexplained weight loss
Recurrent pneumonia
Imaging tests:
Chest X-ray
often the first test; may show a suspicious mass.
CT scan
gives detailed images of lungs and detects smaller nodules.
Symptoms:
Persistent cough
Coughing blood
Chest pain
Shortness of breath
Unexplained weight loss
Recurrent pneumonia
Imaging tests:
Chest X-ray
often the first test; may show a suspicious mass.
CT scan
gives detailed images of lungs and detects smaller nodules.
2. Diagnostic Testing
Sputum cytology
examining mucus coughed up for cancer cells.
Bronchoscopy
inserting a scope into the airways to look inside and take tissue samples.
Needle biopsy (CT-guided or ultrasound-guided)
removing cells from a lung mass through the chest wall.
Endobronchial ultrasound
ultrasound-guided biopsy of lymph nodes.
Surgical biopsy
if less invasive biopsies are inconclusive.
Pathology - Determines the type of lung cancer:
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer - 85% cases.
Small Cell Lung Cancer - 15% cases.
Molecular/Genetic Testing:
EGFR, ALK, ROS1, KRAS, PD-L1, etc., to guide targeted or immunotherapy.
Sputum cytology
examining mucus coughed up for cancer cells.
Bronchoscopy
inserting a scope into the airways to look inside and take tissue samples.
Needle biopsy (CT-guided or ultrasound-guided)
removing cells from a lung mass through the chest wall.
Endobronchial ultrasound
ultrasound-guided biopsy of lymph nodes.
Surgical biopsy
if less invasive biopsies are inconclusive.
Pathology - Determines the type of lung cancer:
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer - 85% cases.
Small Cell Lung Cancer - 15% cases.
Molecular/Genetic Testing:
EGFR, ALK, ROS1, KRAS, PD-L1, etc., to guide targeted or immunotherapy.
3. Staging
Staging shows how far the cancer has spread.
PET-CT scan
detects active cancer in lungs, lymph nodes and other organs.
Brain MRI
checks for spread to the brain.
Mediastinoscopy
surgical biopsy of central chest lymph nodes.
Staging system:
NSCLC - Stages I–IV.
SCLC - Limited stage or Extensive stage.
Staging shows how far the cancer has spread.
PET-CT scan
detects active cancer in lungs, lymph nodes and other organs.
Brain MRI
checks for spread to the brain.
Mediastinoscopy
surgical biopsy of central chest lymph nodes.
Staging system:
NSCLC - Stages I–IV.
SCLC - Limited stage or Extensive stage.
4. Treatment Options
➛ Surgery
Lobectomy
removal of one lung lobe.
Pneumonectomy
removal of entire lung.
Segmentectomy/Wedge resection
removal of part of a lobe.
➛ Radiation Therapy
External beam radiation
targets tumors directly.
Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy
precise, high-dose radiation for small tumors.
➛ Systemic Treatments
Chemotherapy
often combined with other treatments, especially for SCLC.
Targeted therapy
drugs that block specific mutations.
Immunotherapy
checkpoint inhibitors help immune system attack cancer.
➛ Combined/Multimodal Treatments
Surgery + chemotherapy/radiation
Chemotherapy + radiation
Immunotherapy + chemotherapy
➛ Surgery
Lobectomy
removal of one lung lobe.
Pneumonectomy
removal of entire lung.
Segmentectomy/Wedge resection
removal of part of a lobe.
➛ Radiation Therapy
External beam radiation
targets tumors directly.
Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy
precise, high-dose radiation for small tumors.
➛ Systemic Treatments
Chemotherapy
often combined with other treatments, especially for SCLC.
Targeted therapy
drugs that block specific mutations.
Immunotherapy
checkpoint inhibitors help immune system attack cancer.
➛ Combined/Multimodal Treatments
Surgery + chemotherapy/radiation
Chemotherapy + radiation
Immunotherapy + chemotherapy
5. Palliative & Supportive Care
Pain control, oxygen therapy, and procedures like pleural drainage if fluid builds up.
Palliative chemotherapy or radiation to shrink tumors and relieve symptoms in advanced cases.
Pain control, oxygen therapy, and procedures like pleural drainage if fluid builds up.
Palliative chemotherapy or radiation to shrink tumors and relieve symptoms in advanced cases.
6. Follow-Up and Monitoring
➛ Regular CT scans every 3-6 months after treatment.
➛ Physical exams and lab tests.
➛ Long-term surveillance for recurrence or new lung cancers.
➛ Lifestyle changes:
Smoking cessation
Pulmonary rehabilitation
Nutrition support.
➛ Regular CT scans every 3-6 months after treatment.
➛ Physical exams and lab tests.
➛ Long-term surveillance for recurrence or new lung cancers.
➛ Lifestyle changes:
Smoking cessation
Pulmonary rehabilitation
Nutrition support.
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