Lung Cancer

     Lung cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in one or both lungs. The abnormal cells do not function like the normal lung cells do. Instead, as they grow, they can develop tumors and interfere with the  functioning of the lung. A cancer can develop from a mutation in a cell's DNA. This DNA mutation can be cause from normal aging process, or from environmental factors such as cigarette smoking.

     Some symptoms of lung cancer includes:

Coughing, especially if it persists or becomes intense

Pain in the chest, shoulder, or back unrelated to pain from coughing

A change in color or volume of sputum

Shortness of breath

Changes in the voice or being hoarse

Harsh sounds with each breath (stridor)

Recurrent lung problems, such as bronchitis or pneumonia

Coughing up phlegm or mucus, especially if it is tinged with blood

Coughing up blood

     To diagnose lung cancer, you first need to get a biopsy. A biopsy is when a small piece of tissue from the lungs are examined to look for cancer cells.

There are 2 types of lung cancer. There is non-small cell lung cancer, and there is small lung cell cancer. 80% of lung cancer is from non-small lung cancer. Small cell lung cancer, the remaining 15%, happens from smoking cigarettes. Small cell lung cancer also grows and spreads more rapidly than non-small lung cancer.

   According to an article in lungcancer.org:

  

"Stages of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Stage I: The cancer is located only in the lungs and has not spread to any lymph nodes.
Stage II: The cancer is in the lung and nearby lymph nodes.
Stage III: Cancer is found in the lung and in the lymph nodes in the middle of the chest, also described as locally advanced disease. Stage III has two subtypes:

• If the cancer has spread only to lymph nodes on the same side of the chest where the cancer started, it is called stage IIIA.
• If the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes on the opposite side of the chest, or above the collar bone, it is called stage IIIB.

Stage IV: This is the most advanced stage of lung cancer, and is also described as advanced disease. This is when the cancer has spread to both lungs, to fluid in the area around the lungs, or to another part of the body, such as the liver or other organs."

     There are 2 stages in small lung cancer. There is the limited stage, where the cancer is found on one side of the chest, in one lung and the nearby lymph nodes. The second stage is the extensive stage, where the cancer spreads to other parts and regions of the body.

     The treatment for non-small lung cancer could be surgery to remove the tumor (in the early stages) or chemotherapy and radiation if the cancer is at stage III or more. The treatment for small lung cancer on the other hand, would be chemotherapy and radiation regardless of the stage. Surgery for small lung cancer wouldn't really help.

     There are always some side effects. Some side effects of lung cancer includes: blood clots, bone issues, chemo brain, dental issues, diarrhea, fatigue, hair loss, lymphedema, mouth sores, nausea and vomiting, neuropathy, pain, rash, and weigh loss/gain.

Source:
http://www.lungcancer.org/find_information/publications/163-lung_cancer_101/265-what_is_lung_cancer