Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers, and there are mainly two types of the condition—non-small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer. The former accounts for 85% of lung cancer cases, while the latter is more aggressive and can be fatal if not treated immediately. The specific non-small lung cancer treatments are decided based on the stage of cancer and also the person’s overall health and lung function.
1. Causes
Non-small cell lung cancer is mainly caused by smoking. About 80% of lung cancer deaths are due to active smoking, while passive smoking is also a huge cause of this condition. This does not mean that only those who smoke can develop non-small cell lung cancer. Non-smokers can also be diagnosed with lung cancer due to random exposure to asbestos at work, exposure to diesel exhaust, and contact with other toxic chemicals. Even air pollution can be a cause of this disease. Lung cancer in non-smokers is quite different from the one that smokers contract. It tends to occur at a younger age. Genetic mutations can also be a cause of this condition.
2. Detection and diagnosis
Detecting this cancer early is of great advantage as it helps in availing immediate treatment. If one has the following symptoms, they should seek medical attention immediately.
- A persistent cough
- Coughing up blood or rust-colored phlegm
- Chest pain that gets worse with coughing or laughing
- Hoarseness
- Lack of appetite
- Unexplained weight loss
- Breathlessness
- Getting tired easily
- Getting infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia continually
- Wheezing
In case cancer spreads to other parts of the body, there will be changes in the nervous system, bone pain, yellowing of the eyes and skin, and swelling of the lymph nodes.
3. Treatments
If lung cancer is diagnosed, an individual can opt from various non-small lung cancer treatments after discussing their case and the probable outcome of each treatment method with their doctor.
- Surgery
If cancer is in stage I or II, it can be surgically removed. For this, the surgeon will need to remove the lobe or the section of the lung containing the tumor. It is one of the most effective non-small lung cancer treatments. - Radiation and chemotherapy
This treatment is usually given after surgery to reduce the chances of recurrence of the tumor. Chemotherapy works in patients that have stage II and IIIA lung cancer, but for those in stage III, doctors recommend a combination of chemotherapy and radiation. - Targeted treatments
Unlike chemotherapy medications that affect both normal and abnormal cells, targeted therapies are designed to attach only to cancer cells. Patients in advanced stages with some molecular biomarkers might get treatment with a targeted medication only or in combination with chemotherapy. It is one of the safest non-small lung cancer treatments. - Immunotherapy
This is one of the most recent non-small lung cancers treatments. It uses the individual’s own immune system to treat cancer.
4. Prevention against non-small lung cancer
As the saying goes, prevention is better than cure, so it’ s best to minimize the chances of developing this life-threatening disease by following some simple lifestyle measures.
- Stay away from tobacco
- Avoid or limit exposure to cancer-causing agents in the workplace
- Eat a balanced and healthy diet that includes a lot of fruits and vegetables.
These measures can help lower the risk of getting lung cancer, but complete prevention is impossible.
