There can be certain mutations in normal healthy cells due to cancer. In order to avoid the overgrowth, the body normally programs cells to die at a certain stage. When cancer develops in the body, cells start to grow and multiply rapidly. As a result of this, tumours start to develop and the harmful effects of cancer are seen. This cell overgrowth occurs in the lungs when one has lung cancer. There are two types of lung cancer, which are small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer. This depends on how they appear under a microscope. In comparison to small cell lung cancer, a person normally suffers from non-small cell lung cancer. Although lung cancer can develop in any person, the risk of this cancer increases by cigarette smoking and exposure to smoke. According to the best oncologist in Kolkata, when one has a history of exposure to inhaled chemicals or other toxins, lung cancer can also develop.

Symptoms

Until lung cancer reaches a later stage, symptoms do not always occur. However, even if there are symptoms in people, they may think the symptoms are related to a serious, acute illness. Some of them are:

  • Loss of appetite
  • Hoarseness in the voice
  • Frequent infections in the chest
  • A continuous cough
  • Breathing distress
  • Headaches without any reason
  • Loss in weight

Diagnosis

A cancer specialist in Kolkata suggests you go for certain tests to confirm the presence of lung cancer. The diagnostic tests include:

  • Imaging studies:

    A combination of computed tomography (CT) and positron emission tomography (PET) scans can reveal areas of lung tissue with cancer. Cancer growth can also be checked with the help of bone scans.

  • Tissue sampling:

    A doctor may recommend taking a sample of lung tissue to test for potentially cancerous cells if he/she identifies a suspicious lesion on an imaging study.

  • Lab testing:

    In order to check the presence of lung cancer, a doctor may also order sputum testing or blood testing.

There are different stages of non-small cell lung cancer based on the tumour size and the spread of cancer.

Treatment

The different treatment options are:

  • Surgery:

    For removing the cancerous lung tissue and tissue in the surrounding areas where cancer had spread, a doctor may take the help of surgery. There may be the removal of a lobe or large segment of the lung and the procedure is known as lobectomy. The surgeon may remove the entire lung in severe cases.

  • Chemotherapy:

    In order to shrink or eradicate cancer cells, the best medical oncologist in Kolkata uses drugs in this treatment. There is a more significant impact of chemotherapy treatment on cancers that have spread to different parts of the body and require a body-wide attack.

  • Radiation Therapy:

    For the cancers that occur in one location and have not spread, this treatment is effective.

  • Targeted Therapy:

    In this treatment, there is the use of particular medications that specifically target a particular behaviour in cancer cells.