Lymph node metastasis in cancer progression: molecular mechanisms, clinical significance and therapeutic interventions
Lung Cancer Symptoms: 6 Early Signs Of The Disease That Can Help In Early Diagnosis
Lung cancer is a form of cancer wherein abnormal cells start to grow in the lungs in an uncontrolled way. According to World Cancer Research Fund, there were nearly 2.4 million new cases of lung cancer in 2022, a majority of which were caused due to smoking. The World Health Organisation (WHO) says that lung cancer is often diagnosed at advanced stages when treatment options are limited. This happens because people tend to ignore the early signs of lung cancer.
If you spot the early signs of lung cancer, it can help in early diagnosis. When diagnosis is early, there are more options available for treatment and it can also improve survival rates. Therefore, it is important to keep a check on the early signs of the disease. Here, take a look at some of the early signs of lung cancer that can help in early diagnosis.
Persistent CoughA persistent cough that doesn't go away or worsens over time can be one of the earliest signs of lung cancer. If you have a cough that lasts for weeks it is important to get yourself checked.
Shortness of BreathLung cancer can obstruct the airways and impair lung function. This leads to shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. This can occur even with minimal exertion or during rest. If you notice unexplained breathlessness, it's important you consult a doctor.
Chest Pain or DiscomfortPain or discomfort in the chest, especially if it worsens with deep breathing, coughing or laughing, might be a sign that the cancer is affecting nearby structures in the chest such as the pleura or ribs.
Unexplained Weight LossIf you undergo unintentional weight loss without changes in diet or exercise, it can be an early sign of different types of cancer, including lung cancer. This might happen because cancer cells use the energy and nutrients of the body which causes weight loss.
Hoarseness or Changes in VoiceIf the cancer affects the nerves controlling the voice box (larynx), it can cause hoarseness or a persistent change in your voice. If you experience a new or unexplained change in your voice, especially if it lasts longer than a couple of weeks, get yourself checked.
Frequent Respiratory InfectionsLung cancer can increase the risk of infections, such as pneumonia or bronchitis. If you experience recurrent respiratory infections or have trouble recovering from them, this could be a sign of lung cancer.
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The Early Lung Cancer Warning Symptom You Can Feel In Your Fingers And Toes
You may not notice any obvious signs of lung cancer in its early stages, but they may show up in some unexpected parts of your body as it progressesLung cancer, one of the four most common types of cancer in the UK, sees over 49,000 new cases each year, according to Cancer Research UK.
This disease is triggered by an uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in one or both lungs, which are crucial for oxygen intake and carbon dioxide expulsion.
Lung cancer in its early stages may not exhibit any noticeable symptoms. However, as the disease progresses, symptoms can appear throughout the body.
In rare instances, people might experience pins and needles or numbness in their fingers or toes if lung cancer cells release hormones into the bloodstream.
"These hormones can cause symptoms that don't seem related to the lung cancer. Doctors call them paraneoplastic syndrome," said Cancer Research UK.
Lung cancer symptomsThe primary symptoms of lung cancer include:
The main symptoms of lung cancer are:
Should any symptoms reminiscent of lung cancer arise, such as breathlessness or a continuous cough, the NHS recommends consulting a GP, reports the Express.
What will happen at a GP appointment?The NHS website explained: "The GP will ask about your general health and your symptoms. They may examine you and ask you to breathe into a device called a spirometer, which measures how much air you breathe in and out. You may be asked to have a blood test to rule out some of the possible causes of your symptoms, such as a chest infection."
A chest X-ray is often the first step in spotting lung cancer, as tumours typically show up as a white-grey area on the image.
Am I at risk of lung cancer?It varies from person to person, but puffing on cigarettes is the top culprit. Cancer Research UK found that 60% of lung cancer cases are tobacco-related, including passive smoking.
The charity urges smokers to kick the habit sooner rather than later, warning that the risk of lung cancer "increases more the longer you smoke and the more you smoke".
What are the other causes of lung cancer?Air pollution might not be as well-known, but it's still a significant hazard, responsible for 8% of UK cases.
The NHS also flags exposure to certain workplace chemicals and substances as potential dangers. These include:
Moreover, research has highlighted that long-term contact with diesel exhaust, such as nitrogen oxide gases, could up your chances of getting lung cancer.
Dodging certain lifestyle choices can help lower your risk, but studies suggest that embracing positive habits could further reduce the likelihood of developing the condition.
Research indicates that a diet low in fat and high in fibre, including at least five daily servings of fresh fruit and vegetables along with ample wholegrains, can decrease your risk of lung cancer, as well as other forms of cancer and heart disease.
There's also persuasive evidence suggesting that regular physical activity can lower the risk of developing lung cancer and other types of cancer.
Lung Cancer In Women And Nonsmokers: What To Know About Symptoms, Diagnosis, And Treatment
According to the latest statistics from the American Cancer Society, incidence rates of lung cancer are now higher in women than in men among people younger than 65 years.
Overall, though, the news about lung cancer is largely hopeful. In fact, a 2023 study from the American Lung Association found that survival rates for lung cancer are improving, especially among historically marginalized communities of color. This is due to advances in the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of lung cancer, which have resulted in a greater number of people with lung cancer being cured or living a much longer time with the disease. Many of these advances have been made by doctors and scientists at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK).
We spoke with MSK thoracic oncologist and early drug development specialist Helena Yu, MD, about why lung cancer is more common in women than men in younger age groups and why people get lung cancer even if they've never smoked.
Is lung cancer more or less common than it was 20 years ago?On the whole, the statistics on new cases of lung cancer are promising. The number of people being diagnosed with lung cancer every year is falling, thanks in large part to a reduction in the number of people who smoke.
Research has found that although lung cancer rates are going down in both men and women of all ages, they are decreasing more slowly in younger women. This is why more women than men are being diagnosed in this age group.
Why are rates of lung cancer in women decreasing more slowly?We don't know why this is the case, but we have some theories. It may be that women metabolize the carcinogens found in cigarette smoke in a different way than men do. It may also be that women are more susceptible to certain environmental exposures, like air pollution and radon, a radioactive gas found naturally in some environments. But no direct links have been confirmed, and there is still a lot that we need to study.
What else do we know about lung cancer in women, including women who are nonsmokers?Much of my research focuses on lung cancer caused by a mutation (or change) in a gene called EGFR. This mutation is more likely to be found in people with lung cancer who have never smoked. It's also more commonly found in women than men, and in Asian women in particular. The people who get these EGFR-related cancers don't have the demographics of "typical" lung cancer patients.
As the number of smoking-related cancers continues to go down, the overall proportion of lung cancers in nonsmokers, including those caused by EGFR and other specific gene mutations, will increase.
What are the signs and symptoms of lung cancer in women?The most common symptoms of lung cancer are the same in men and women. They also are not different based on your age, ethnicity, or smoking history. They include:
The problem is that when someone who is young, female, or a never-smoker goes to the doctor with lung cancer symptoms, the suspicion that they may have cancer is much lower than it would be for others. That's because of the stereotype that people with lung cancer are most likely to be older men, especially current or former smokers.
I've treated patients who were mistakenly diagnosed with asthma, bronchitis, or walking pneumonia before finally learning they had cancer.
Why is getting an early diagnosis of lung cancer so important?We know that the earlier lung cancer is detected, the more likely it is to be successfully treated. This illustrates the value of getting a lung cancer diagnosis as soon as symptoms appear. It's also why people who are at increased risk should participate in a lung cancer screening program.
Many of the symptoms of lung cancer are common, and I don't want to worry people unnecessarily about having lung cancer. But it's important to know your body. If you feel like something is not right and your doctor is not taking your concerns seriously, it's OK to be persistent about getting scans or other tests.
How are people with lung cancer treated at MSK?Due to new treatments like targeted therapies and immunotherapy, lung cancer deaths are decreasing. MSK has been instrumental in bringing new therapies to approval through lung cancer clinical trials (research studies). There are many different clinical trials available at MSK for people with lung cancer.
Some of these new treatments are targeted therapies based on molecular changes in tumors. At MSK, we use MSK-IMPACT®, a tumor genetic test, to match our patients with the best treatment based on the individual characteristics of their cancer. We also offer MSK-ACCESS®, a liquid biopsy test that can monitor a patient's response to treatment and determine when we may need to change course and offer them something different.
Is there anything else you want people to know about lung cancer?There is a stigma around lung cancer because of its connection to smoking. But anybody with lungs can get lung cancer. I don't want patients to ever feel guilty or responsible for their cancer diagnosis.
I hope that by educating people about lung cancer and its causes, we can decrease the stigma while increasing awareness about early detection and new treatment options.
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