Introduction:
Cancer is a clinical condition characterized by abnormal growth of cells. When it affects the lungs, it is known as lung cancer. The major two types of this cancer are small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). NSCLC is the most commonly witnessed lung cancer kind of lung cancer and it does not grow rapidly.
The major three types of NSCLC are adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, large cell carcinoma.
What Are the Symptoms of NSCLC?
As with most cancerous conditions, this type of cancer also does not show any symptoms in its early stages. Following are the symptoms noticed by the patient when the symptoms start to appear:
1. Continuous cough
2. Tiredness
3. Pain in the chest
4. Difficulty in breathing
5. Pain in the bone and joints
6. Weight loss that is unintentional and unexplained
Metastases of cancer, that is, the spread of cancer to various other parts of the body may lead to the following symptoms:
1. Difficulty in breathing
2. Difficulty with speech
3. Extreme tiredness and weakness
4. Pin in the areas where cancer has reached like bones, back, etc.
5. Seizures
Talk to a physician if you notice any abnormality in your body or any other symptoms.
How Is NSCLC Caused?
NSCLC can be caused by a variety of factors and many factors can put you at risk of getting it. Smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke are the primary risk factors. Exposure to certain chemicals like paints, asbestos, etc., may also increase the risk of contracting it.
It is important to quit smoking to prevent developing it although it is not possible to completely prevent contracting it. Also, avoid your exposure to radiation and chemicals.
How Can NSCLC Be Diagnosed?
When you visit your physician, you will be asked about the signs and symptoms being faced by you, family, medical and personal history. Following that, a physical examination will be carried out. Your physician may also prefer conducting certain tests as follows:
1. Bone scan
2. Certain imaging tests include MRI, PET scan of the chest, MRI scan, etc.
3. Histopathological or microscopic examination of certain body samples like sputum (phlegm) for identification of cancer cells.
4. Lung biopsy. In this, a part of the affected tissue from the lung is removed and tested for the type of cells.
After the diagnosis of cancer, the cancer is staged to make it easy to understand the spread of cancer in the body. NSCLC has five stages which range from weak to strong in terms of severity. The stages are from 0 to 4. Also, staging helps in deciding the treatment plan and the prognosis of the condition.
What Are The Stages Of NSCLC?
AJCC Cancer Staging Manual classifies the staging of NSCLC depending on the following two factors:
1. Location and the tumor size
2. Spread of the tumor to other body parts or lymph nodes.
Following are the stages and their diagnostic factors and possible treatments:
Stage 0
Also known as carcinoma-in-situ disease. It indicates that the cancer cells have not spread into the nearby tissues.
Stage 1A
The size of the tumor is small, is less than 3 centimeters in diameter, and has not spread to any nearby lymph nodes. Surgery can opt for this type.
Stage 1B
The tumor size is between 3 and 4 cm in its largest diameter and has not spread to any nearby lymph nodes. Surgery can opt for this type.
Stage 2A
The size of the tumor is between 4 and 5 cm in its largest diameter and has not spread to any nearby lymph nodes.
Stage 2B
The tumor size is 5 cm or less and has spread to nearby lymph nodes.
Stage 3
Stage 3 can be categorized into three substages depending on varying tumor sizes and spread to lymph nodes. Stage 3 cells have not spread to the distant parts of the body. Stages 3A and 3B can be treated with surgery sometimes whereas stage 3C requires various other therapies or a combination of various therapies.
Stage 4A
The cancer cells indicate spread within the chest and potentially to anyone area outside of the chest.
Stage 4B
The cancer cells spread outside of the chest into more than one distant area or an organ. In this case, surgery is not an option.
Recurrent NSCLC
A recurrence indicates that cancer cells have returned post- treatment. This can differ by the location and severity of the recurrent cancerous cells.
How Can NSCLC Be Treated?
The treatment depends on the staging of the disease, the general health condition of the individual, and various other factors. There are five types of treatment options available for the treatment of this cancer. They can be used individually or as a combination. Following are the available options:
1. Surgery: This can include lobectomy, wedge resection, segmentectomy, pneumonectomy. All these procedures aim at removal of part or complete lung depending on the severity and location of affected cancer cells.
2. Radiotherapy: Use of radiation to shrink or kill cancerous cells
3. Certain treatment can be done before or after surgery which is as follows:
- Chemotherapy: Use of medicines to shrink tumor cells.
- Targeted therapy: Targeting certain biochemical products like proteins, etc., to affect the growth of cancer cells.
- Immunotherapy: Use of the body’s immune system to fight against cancer cells.
Recurrence depends on the staging as well as treatment is done and various other patient factors which will be decided and explained to you by the physician. Early detection and treatment may provide a better prognosis and in case of recurrence, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, or a combination of various other therapies can be used.
Conclusion:
Non-small cell lung cancer is one of the types of lung cancer and can be diagnosed and managed depending on the stage of cancer. Early detection and treatment lead to a better prognosis. Online medical platforms can help you to talk to your physician anytime anywhere. Hence, consult a specialist online to know more about this condition.
