Ampath Diagnostic Guide | www.ampath.co.za
🧬 What is Lung Cancer?
Lung cancer occurs when cells in the lungs, usually those lining the airways, divide uncontrollably, forming a tumor or growth.
Types:
- Primary lung cancer: Originates in the lungs
- Secondary lung cancer: Cancer spreads to the lungs from elsewhere in the body via the bloodstream
Lung cancer is commonly linked to smoking, and its incidence in women has risen, now matching that of men.
🧨 What Causes Lung Cancer?
1. Smoking (Cigarettes, Cigars, Pipes)
- Smokers have 20× higher risk
- Risk increases with the amount and duration of smoking
- Passive smokers (those exposed to second-hand smoke) also face increased risk
- Not all lung cancer patients smoke — 10–15% are non-smokers
2. Exposure to Carcinogens
- Includes:
- Asbestos
- Radiation
- Radon
- Industrial chemicals
- Polluted urban air
- Risk is amplified by smoking
3. Lung Scarring or Fibrosis
- Cancer may arise in scarred lung tissue from:
- Injury
- Past infections
- Chronic lung disease
4. Genetics
- A family history of lung cancer increases risk
- Applies to both smokers and non-smokers
🚨 Symptoms of Lung Cancer
Unfortunately, most lung cancers are diagnosed late, with over 60% inoperable at the time of detection.
Common symptoms include:
- Persistent cough
- Unexplained weight loss
- Chest pain or pressure, shortness of breath
- Increased mucus or sputum production
- Coughing up blood
- Frequent chest infections
- Paraneoplastic symptoms (caused by chemicals secreted by tumors):
- Swollen fingertips (clubbing)
- Breast enlargement
- Electrolyte imbalances
- Hot flushes
Bone pain, especially in the back, can be an early sign due to metastasis.
🧭 How Lung Cancer Spreads
1. Direct Spread
- Tumor grows into nearby lung tissue
- May lead to pleural effusion (fluid in chest cavity), causing breathing difficulty
2. Lymphatic Spread
- Cancer cells travel through lymphatic vessels
- May reach lymph nodes in:
- Chest cavity
- Collarbone region
- Neck
3. Distant Spread (Metastasis)
- Cancer cells enter the bloodstream
- Common sites of spread:
- Opposite lung
- Liver
- Adrenal glands
- Brain
- Bones
🧪 Can Lung Cancer Be Screened Early?
Currently, no cost-effective screening method exists for the general population.
Although efforts have been made, especially in high-risk groups, early detection remains challenging.
🛡️ Prevention of Lung Cancer
While it can't be entirely prevented, risk can be significantly reduced:
- Don’t smoke
- If you do smoke — get help and quit
- Limit exposure to pollutants and chemicals
- Educate children on smoking dangers
- Maintain a balanced diet and exercise regularly
- Be aware of your genetic risk — especially avoid smoking if there's a family history
💊 Treatment Options for Lung Cancer
The best treatment plan depends on:
- Type of lung cancer
- Stage (how far it has spread)
- Age and general health of the patient
- Potential treatment side effects
1. Surgery
- If detected early, the tumor and part of the lung (or the whole lung) can be removed
2. Chemotherapy
- Uses medication to:
- Kill cancer cells
- Stop them from dividing
- Can be used alone or with:
- Surgery
- Radiation
- Biologic therapy
3. Radiotherapy
- Targets and shrinks the local tumor using radiation
4. Advanced Treatments
- Targeted therapy: Drugs act on specific molecular changes in cancer cells
- Immunotherapy: Harnesses the immune system to fight cancer
- Molecular testing: Identifies patients who benefit from targeted treatments
- Personalized treatment plans help predict survival outcomes
📍 For more info, visit your nearest Ampath Care Centre or explore:
🌐 www.ampath.co.za