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Lung Cancer

Lung Cancer is a malignat lung tumour.Most of the cancers arising out of lung are Primary lung tumour.if not treated they spread beyond the lung & other organs.smoking has strong association with lung cancer but 10-15% of cancer patients are non smoker.Treatment & result depend on the type of cancer ,stage of cancer,patients general health etc.Treatment options are surgery,chemotherapy & radiotherapy.The options are decided by a multidisciplinary team of doctors.

1)What are the types of Lung Cancer?

Ans: They are 3 types: a) Non small cell lung cancer-Commonest b) Small cell or Oat cell tumour c) Carcinoid.

2)Which of them is worse?

Ans: Small cell variety.It grows & spreads rapidly.

3)What are the risks of lung cancer & how can it be prevented?

Ans; Most lung cancers could be prevented, because they are related to smoking or less often to exposure other environmental factors In recent years, doctors have found a test that can be used to screen for lung cancer in people at high risk of the disease.

4)What are the treatment options for lung cancer?

Ans: It is unfortunate that most lung cancers have already spread widely and are at an advanced stage when they are first found. These cancers are very hard to cure. The options for managing lung cancer are : I. Options with curative intent- Surgery,Chemotherapy(Killing cancer cells with drug) & Radiotherapy(killing cancer cells with beam of energy). II. Options with palliative intent: surgery ,chemotherapy ,Radiotherapy & palliative care with management of symptoms(pain, shortness of breath).

5)What are the surgical options?

Ans: The options are removal of wedge of diseased lung including tumour,segmentectomy(removal of segment of lung )Lobectomy(removal of a lobe of lung),Pneumonectomy(removal of whole lung) along with the removal of mediastinal lymph nodes. The operation may be open or thoracoscopic(VATS).