When the cells in the lungs start to divide uncontrollably, that condition is known as lung cancer. Tumours can develop as a result of this, which can cause difficulty in breathing. Early diagnosis is highly beneficial in the treatment of lung cancer. The doctors divide lung cancer into two types depending on how they appear under the microscope. These two types are known as small cell and non-small cell lung cancers. This type of cancer can develop in any person, but the risk can increase due to cigarette smoking and exposure to smoke. If you were previously exposed to chemicals and toxins, it can lead to lung cancer by causing changes in lung cells. One should go for effective lung cancer treatment in Kolkata to get rid of this disease.
Symptoms
There are often no symptoms of lung cancer until it reaches a later stage. However, there are a few symptoms sometimes. These include:
- Hoarseness or other voice changes
- Loss in appetite
- Frequent infections in the chest like pneumonia or bronchitis
- A continuous cough which gets worse
- Breathing distress
- Headaches without any reason
- Losing weight
- Wheezing
There can also be more severe symptoms like severe chest or bone pain or blood coming up while coughing.
Diagnosis
The doctor suggests a number of diagnostic tests if you experience the above mentioned symptoms. Some of them are:
-
Imaging studies:
The areas of lung cancer can get revealed through computed tomography (CT) and positron emission tomography (PET) scans. The doctors can also detect cancerous growths through bone scan results. These scans also help the doctor to track the progress of treatment or whether cancer has relapsed or not.
-
Tissue sampling:
During an imaging study, if a doctor detects a suspicious lesion, he/she may suggest the testing of a lung tissue sample for possible cancer cells. A bronchoscopy is a process that a doctor often uses to take samples from the lesion. In this process, the doctor inserts a thin, lighted scope with a camera at the end to take the samples. There are other processes like thoracoscopy or video-assisted thoracic surgery to remove a sample of lung tissue.
-
Lab testing:
In order to check the presence of lung cancer, a doctor may order sputum testing or blood testing. A lot of information becomes available to the doctors from the findings. They get to know what type of lung cancer is present or the stage of cancer.
Treatment
The best oncologist in Kolkata depends on a number of factors while deciding the treatment option for lung cancer. These factors are the location and stage of lung cancer. The overall health of the individual is also an important factor. The treatment options include:
-
Surgery:
There can be the removal of the cancerous lung tissue and the surrounding tissues, which may also be affected by cancer. The doctors often perform lobectomy, which involves removing a lobe or large segment of the lung. The removal of the entire lung becomes necessary in severe cases.
-
Chemotherapy:
The doctors use drugs to shrink or eradicate cancer cells in chemotherapy. These medications are ideal for the treatment of this kind of cancer as they target the rapidly dividing cancer cells.
-
Radiation therapy:
The doctor often uses radiation therapy to shrink a tumour and then surgically remove it. There is the use of high-energy rays in this process.
-
Targeted therapy:
There are some medicines that specifically target a particular behaviour in the cancer cells. The doctor uses these medicines during targeted therapy. For example, there are some medicines that prevent the multiplication of the cancer cells.