There are 2 main types of lung cancer, and they are treated differently.

• Small cell lung cancer (SCLC): accounts for 20% of lung cancer which has more tendency to spread to other organ.
• Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): most common and accounts for 80% of lung cancer. There are 3 sub-types of non-small cell lung cancer.
  • Squamous cell carcinoma: linked to smoking and tend to be found in the middle of the lungs, near a bronchus.
  • Adenocarcinoma: usually found in the outer part of the lung.
  • Large-cell (undifferentiated) carcinoma: start in any part of the lung and tend to grow and spread quickly.

There are several risk factors for lung cancer, they include:

• Smoking is by far the most common cause of primary lung cancer. Over 90% of cases are caused by smoking. Nonsmokers have only a small risk, and those who quit smoking greatly reduce their risk.
• Air pollution, including so-called passive or second-hand smoke.
• Exposure to toxic substances, such as radon and other radioactive gases and asbestos.
• Chronic inflammation of the airway passage (bronchitis) .
• Family history of lung cancer: People with a father, mother, brother, or sister who had lung cancer may be at slightly increased risk of the disease, even if they do not smoke.
• Personal history of lung cancer: People who have had lung cancer are at increased risk of developing a second lung cancer.
• Age over 65: Most people are older than 65 years when diagnosed with lung cancer. Most cases occur between ages 45 and 75, after years of exposure to cigarette smoke or other pollutants.

Early lung cancer often does not cause symptoms. However, as the cancer grows, common symptoms may include:

• Persistent cough
• Shortness of breath
• Persistent chest pain
• Coughing up blood
• Hoarseness of voice
• Frequent lung infections
• Tiredness
• Weight loss
• Swollen neck and face
• Swallowing difficulties

If you have a symptom that suggests lung cancer, your doctor must find out whether it is from cancer or something else by doing the following:

• Patient history and Physical exam: your doctor will check your general health
• Laboratory tests: a sputum test is done to check the presence of cancer cells.
• Radiological studies like an x-ray of the chest, CT (computed tomography) scans, bone scan, or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) may be done to determine the nature of a lung abnormality and to see if cancer has spread.
• Bronchoscopy: it is a visual examination of the windpipe from inside using an optical instrument.
• Biopsy: taking sample of the tissue from your lung for examination under the microscope.

The type of your treatment will depend on the stage of the cancer (the size of the cancer and if it is spread to other organs) and on your overall health:

• Local therapy: Surgery and radiation therapy are used.
  When lung cancer has spread to other parts of the body, local therapy may be used to control the disease in those specific areas. For example, lung cancer that spreads to the brain may be controlled with radiation therapy to Brain.
• Systemic therapy: Chemotherapy and targeted therapy are systemic therapies. The medications enter the bloodstream and destroy or control cancer throughout the body.

Abstain from smoking; try to limit your exposure to second-hand smoke and air pollution.

After your treatment is over, it is very important to keep all follow-up appointments. Follow-up is needed to check for cancer recurrence or spread, as well as possible side effects of certain treatments.

During these visits, your doctors will ask about symptoms, examine you, and may order blood tests or imaging studies such as CT (computed tomography) scans.

This is the time for you to ask your health care team any questions you need answered and to discuss any concerns you might have.