Symptoms and signs of early stage lung cancer. Lung cancer: signs, symptoms, stages and treatment How lung cancer manifests itself

Recently, researchers noted a surprising link between a first diagnosis of depression, anxiety and other psychiatric symptoms and lung cancer. In a large number of cases, cancer patients (especially lung cancer) discover that they have a tumor after being referred for mental health care. For example, one study that followed more than four million people over ten years found that when a group of people aged 50 to 64 saw a psychiatrist for the first time in their lives, their overall cancer incidence was almost four times that of those who were not referred to a psychiatrist due to the absence of symptoms of mental disorders.

• What does a person experience?: Symptoms of mental disorders can take many forms, from fatigue, apathy, depression and despondency, characteristic of depression, to panic attacks. Irritability, unexplained outbursts of anger, and other personality changes may also indicate mental problems.
• What causes these symptoms: The link between anxiety, depression and lung cancer is unclear, except that people may feel less than normal without knowing why.
• What to do: If you notice personality and mood changes that are out of character (either in yourself or someone else), talk about them and find the reason. If they are persistent and out of control, seek help from a doctor and ask if there may be a physical explanation.

Frequent illnesses

Signs of early stage lung cancer include the frequent occurrence of bronchopulmonary illnesses such as colds, flu, bronchitis or even pneumonia. This symptom may make you wonder whether your frequent illnesses are due to decreased immune function or something more serious. After all, another possible culprit for recurring diseases may be lung cancer. This is especially true for women who smoke (see Lung Cancer in Women: Symptoms and Signs, Causes, Treatment, Types).

• What does a person experience?: Symptoms are the same as for common colds, flu and respiratory tract infections. The difference lies in how persistent the symptoms are: either they last a long time, or they pass quickly, but then relapse again.
• What causes these symptoms: because the cancer develops in the tissue of the lungs and bronchi, it causes symptoms similar to a cold or flu. Lung cancer also makes the lungs more susceptible to disease and infection. Busy fighting cancer, the body's immune system is less able to defend against germs, leading to more serious infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia.
• What to do: Monitor your health and if you feel like you are getting sick more often or more severely than usual, tell your doctor.

Loss of appetite or unexplained weight loss

If you're losing weight but haven't made any lifestyle changes that would affect your weight, or if foods in your regular diet start to seem unappealing to you, it's important to look for an explanation because early lung cancer symptoms stages may include loss of appetite and unexplained weight loss.

• What does a person experience?: Some people lose interest in food and forget to eat; others find that when they sit down to eat, they end up eating too little food very quickly or feel nauseous when they eat too much or too quickly; still others may notice that their clothes are getting too big, even though they haven't eaten less.
• What causes these symptoms: Lung cancer can cause loss of appetite and weight loss for a number of reasons. Because you have to work harder to breathe (even if you don't realize you're doing it), your appetite may be affected. Abdominal pain may contribute to nausea. Severe loss of appetite may occur when the cancer has spread to the liver.
• What to do: Monitor this symptom to make sure it is not caused by gastrointestinal illness, food poisoning, or any other cause such as bloating and PMS in women. If your lack of appetite persists or you continue to lose weight without any effort on your part, consult your doctor.

Abnormal breast growth in men

Male breast enlargement, known as gynecomastia, is an embarrassing topic. However, it can also be an important clue to underlying health problems, as early stage lung cancer can present itself in this way.

• What does a person experience?: Breast enlargement can be subtle or very noticeable and can occur on one breast or both. Enlargement may also occur primarily around the nipple and under the nipple rather than in the surrounding breast tissue.
• What causes these symptoms: As tumors metabolize, they often release hormones, proteins and other substances into the bloodstream, causing what are called “paraneoplastic syndromes.” The resulting hormonal abnormality can lead to breast growth.
• What to do: Breast augmentation is extremely important to discuss with your doctor. There is a possibility that this is due to weight gain, but there are other possible explanations that should be explored.

Fatigue

Another early sign of certain types of lung cancer is debilitating fatigue that is not associated with any obvious cause.

• What does a person experience?: Similar to the exhaustion you experience when you have a fever, cold or flu - you can't get out of bed. Cancer fatigue manifests itself persistently - you can’t just get rid of it, even by drinking a cup of strong coffee.
• What causes these symptoms: Substances released into your bloodstream by lung cancer tumors can affect oxygen levels, red blood cell health, adrenal function and other aspects of energy production. Metastatic cancer can spread to the adrenal glands, which directly control energy release and produce cortisol (the fight-or-flight hormone) that motivates you to take action.
• What to do: Since fatigue can be caused by insomnia, overwork, overexertion and many other things, you should try to determine its cause before you see a doctor. (This will also help relieve your anxiety.) Describe what you can and cannot do, and how your condition differs from normal fatigue.

Thickened, painful fingertips

How to detect lung cancer at an early stage? Often one of the early signs of lung cancer is the “drumstick sign,” or thickening of the fingertips. This symptom can occur for several reasons, but the most common is lung cancer. Although many people mistakenly attribute this symptom to arthritis.

• What does a person experience?: The terminal phalanges of the fingers may become wider, forming a club-shaped thickening in the nail area, or may be swollen, red, or warm. You may also notice clumsiness and difficulty lifting things - it may seem like you are losing fine motor skills in your hands.
• What causes these symptoms: Lung tumors can release cytokines and other chemicals into the bloodstream that stimulate bone and tissue growth in the fingertips and under the nails. Lack of oxygen in the blood can also limit circulation to the fingertips.
• What to do: Any unusual symptom, such as thickening, swelling, or drumstick sign, or lack of fine coordination of movements, is important to bring to the attention of a doctor.

The first symptoms of early stage lung cancer include shortness of breath. About 15% of lung cancer cases occur in non-smokers, often as a result of exposure to air pollution, second-hand smoke or toxins such as asbestos and radon. And although shortness of breath is one of the classic symptoms of lung cancer, it tends to go unnoticed by many people until it becomes quite severe because it can be easily attributed to other causes.

• What does a person experience?: as if you have bronchial asthma or are “out of shape.” You may find it difficult to take deep breaths, especially if you try, or you may notice some wheezing in your chest.
• What causes these symptoms: A tumor in the lungs can develop in the air sacs of the lungs themselves or in the bronchial tubes leading to the lungs. Tumor growth interferes with the lungs' ability to fully inhale and exhale air.
• What to do A: Ask your doctor to perform breathing tests, which are commonly done for asthma and COPD, to see if there is another potential cause for your shortness of breath. If not, ask for a chest x-ray.

Persistent cough or hoarseness

How does lung cancer manifest in the early stages and what else may you feel during this period of the disease? People diagnosed with lung cancer often look back and realize that they have been plagued by changes in their voice or a recurring cough for months or even years, but they thought it was the result of an allergy or illness. Smokers may associate this symptom with "smoker's cough".

• What does a person experience?: your voice may be hoarse, your cough may be dry, such as due to allergies; or wet, for example, as with flu and colds. The mucus may be orange, brown, or red, or you may even notice blood in your saliva.
• What causes these symptoms: When there is a blockage in the bronchial tubes or lungs due to a developing tumor, mucus may form behind it. A lung tumor can also press upward and outward on the vocal cords and larynx. Tumors often have a rich blood supply, which can leak into the airways, coloring saliva and coughed up mucus.
• What to do: If you develop a chronic cough or hoarseness that does not go away after a few days, tell your doctor. If you cough or cough up blood, you should tell your doctor immediately.

Muscle weakness

If you feel like even carrying groceries is too much of a burden, you'll likely assume you're tired or affected by the weather. But persistent muscle weakness can be one of the earliest signs of certain types of early-stage lung cancer.

• What does a person experience?: doing everything becomes more difficult. Climbing stairs and doing housework can be doubly difficult or even impossible, and when you exercise, you may feel like you are only able to do part of your regular routine.
• What causes these symptoms: A special type of muscle weakness known as Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome occurs when lung tumors release autoantibodies that attack muscles. Cancer cells can release chemicals that interfere with the normal activity of red blood cells, cause anemia, or reduce sodium levels and increase calcium levels in the blood. When lung cancer spreads to the brain, it can cause weakness on one side of the body.
• What to do: Describe the weakness as specifically as possible, giving examples of physical activities that you can no longer perform easily. If you are no longer young and weakness may be a result of your age, clearly identify how you feel now and how you have felt in the recent past.

Pain in the chest, shoulder, back or stomach

Thanks to movies and campaigns to educate the public about heart disease, chest pain is often associated with a heart attack. However, it is important to consider lung cancer as a cause, especially in people who do not have risk factors for heart disease. How to recognize lung cancer at an early stage if you experience certain types of pain? The following descriptions will help you with this.

• What does a person experience?: Chest or back pain caused by tumor growth tends to take the form of a dull ache that persists over time. The pain may be in the chest or lungs, but it can also be present in the upper back, shoulders or neck - and can easily be confused with muscle pain. In some cases, the pain is felt in the abdominal cavity, which can be attributed to a disease of the digestive tract.
• What causes these symptoms: Lung cancer can cause pain directly (when the tumor puts pressure on other tissues) or indirectly (when the tumor irritates the nerves passing through the area). In some cases, pain in the chest, neck and shoulder occurs when the brain misinterprets signals from a tumor pressing on the thoracoabdominal nerve. Small cell lung cancer can cause chest pain because it usually starts in the center of the chest in the bronchial tubes leading to the lungs and spreads quickly, pressing on blood vessels and other organs. A certain type of tumor, known as a Pancoast tumor, forms in the upper part of the lungs and puts pressure on the nerves, causing pain in the shoulder, armpit or down the arm.
• What to do: If you experience persistent, unexplained pain in your chest, shoulder, back, or abdomen, you should contact your doctor immediately. Chest pain is a symptom in about a quarter of people with lung cancer, but it is most often associated with other causes, such as heart disease.

These 10 first signs of lung cancer at an early stage may not always indicate the presence of this particular disease, since other pathologies can also cause similar conditions. In order for you to accurately diagnose and begin to treat lung cancer, you must consult a doctor promptly.

Smoking is the main enemy of the lungs. A smoker's length of service and the number of cigarettes he smokes per day increase the risk of developing a tumor.

The classification of cancer is presented in several forms, each of which has its own characteristics:
- central, developed from large bronchi;
- peripheral, developed from bronchioles or affecting the lung parenchyma;
- atypical forms, represented by mediastinal, brain, bone, liver varieties, miliary carcinosis, etc.

What health changes indicate lung cancer?

In addition, the patient complains of increased fatigue caused by general weakness of the body, sudden and causeless loss of weight and voice. Frequent pneumonia is explained by the blocking of large airways by a tumor and infection of an area of ​​the lung.

Drug treatment for lung cancer in the form of anti-inflammatory drugs and expectorants is prescribed to relieve symptoms. Special narcotic substances help relieve severe pain in the final stages.

Signs of lung cancer on an x-ray

If the root of the lung has decreased in size, but the transparency of the pulmonary pattern is increased, the doctor can conclude that the tumor is developing peribronchially. Bronchial blockage is determined by swelling.

With lung cancer occurring in a peripheral form, the image shows heterogeneous shading with jagged contours and specific uneven rays. They are connected to the root of the lung by a distinct shadow.

Danger of lung cancer

At first, the pathology does not affect the appearance of the patient, and only towards the last stage does the body become depleted. After diagnosis, the patient lives from 1 to 3 years, and he dies from metastasis of cancer cells, various complications and intoxication.

Lung cancer is the most common malignant tumor in the world, as well as the most common cause of death among cancer pathologies. The International Agency on Cancer cites data according to which one million cases of lung cancer are registered every year on the planet. At the same time, the statistics for this particular disease are deplorable: six out of ten patients die due to this pathology.

World and Russian statistics on cancer diseases match: 12 percent of Russian patients with cancer pathologies suffer from lung cancer. Among deaths due to malignant tumors, lung cancer in Russia accounts for 15 percent of cases. The situation, according to experts, is close to critical.
It is also necessary to highlight the fact that lung cancer is more of a male pathology. Among all malignant neoplasms in men, lung cancer accounts for every fourth case, while in women only every twelfth.

The reason for such prevalence of lung cancer lies in the prerequisites for its occurrence. The main one is. According to studies, the risk of developing lung cancer in men and women who smoke is 20 times higher than in non-smokers. Cigarette smoke contains more than fifty carcinogenic substances, and one of the effects of nicotine is the suppression of the body's protective functions. Taken together, this “effectiveness” of cigarettes leads to the fact that in a number of countries, nine out of ten cases of lung cancer in men are caused by smoking.

In addition, the environmental situation has a huge impact on the risk of this pathology. The presence of radon, asbestos, and dust particles in the air increases the risk of developing this cancer significantly. These two factors alone indicate that almost everyone is at risk of lung cancer.

Classifications of lung cancer

Modern medicine classifies lung cancer according to many parameters. The most common among them are classifications according to the place of manifestation of the pathology and the stage of development.

Classification of lung cancer by site of manifestation

According to this classification, there are three types of lung cancer:

• central - the main influence of the oncological process occurs on the large bronchi. The malignant neoplasm eventually blocks the lumen of the bronchus, which leads to the collapse of part of the lung;
• peripheral - oncology develops in small peripheral bronchi, and the tumor grows outside the lungs. Because of this, peripheral lung cancer is often called pneumonia-like. This type of pathology is characterized by a long absence of external manifestations - up to five years, which is why its diagnosis occurs in the later stages;
• the mixed type is quite rare - in five percent of cases. Its development is characterized by the formation of soft whitish tissue of a malignant nature, which fills a lobe of the lung, and sometimes the entire organ.

Classification of lung cancer by stage of development

This classification is based on the degree of development of the tumor or tumors. There are mainly four stages of pathology, but there are also more detailed schemes in which the development of lung cancer is divided into six stages:

• Zero stage. The earliest, in most cases asymptomatic form of the disease. Due to its small size, the carcinoma is poorly visible even on fluorography; there is no damage to the lymph nodes.
• First stage. The tumor at this stage of development of the pathology does not exceed three centimeters in size. The pleura and lymph nodes at the first stage are not yet involved in the pathological process. Diagnosis of lung cancer at this stage is considered early and allows for favorable treatment prognosis. However, the disease is diagnosed at this stage in only ten percent of patients.
• Second stage. The diameter of the tumor is in the range of three to five centimeters, metastases are recorded in the bronchial lymph nodes. Obvious symptoms of pathology begin to appear in most patients. A third of lung cancer cases are detected at this stage.
• Stage 3a. The tumor exceeds five centimeters in diameter. The pleura and chest wall are involved in the pathological process. The presence of metastases is recorded in the bronchial and lymph nodes. The manifestation of symptoms of pathology is obvious; more than half of cases of pathology are detected at this stage. The rate of favorable prognosis does not exceed 30 percent.
• Stage 3b. A characteristic difference is the involvement of blood vessels, esophagus, spine and heart in the pathological process. The size of the tumor is not a clear sign.
• Fourth stage. Metastases spread throughout the body. In the vast majority of cases, the prognosis is unfavorable. The chances of remission, not to mention full recovery, are almost zero.

Symptoms of lung cancer

Having dealt with the main classifications of lung cancer, let’s move on to the signs of this pathology. The main feature of this disease is its fairly frequent asymptomatic course, especially in the early stages. If this oncology does manifest itself, then the symptoms are predominantly nonspecific and without proper clinical examination they can be mistaken for manifestations of other diseases.

Visual symptoms of pathology, if present, are somewhat different in the early and late stages.

Manifestations of lung cancer in early stages

Since lung cancer is a disease of the respiratory system, it manifests itself as problems with respiratory function. First of all, attention should be drawn to a seemingly causeless dry cough of a chronic nature that does not stop for several weeks. In combination with them, the disease often manifests itself as hoarseness of voice, whistling sounds when breathing, and non-systemic pain in the chest. All this is caused by a tumor that has arisen, which, with its volume, puts pressure on the recurrent laryngeal nerve.
In addition, in the initial stages of development, lung cancer can manifest itself as a slight but constant increase in body temperature up to 37.5°, which entails chronic fatigue and causeless weight loss.
The absence of clear specific symptoms of lung cancer in the early stages is due to the fact that there are no pain nerve endings in the human lungs. And the body practically does not react to the development of neoplasms in this area.

As for the symptoms that may still appear at this stage, even one of them is a reason to consult a doctor and have an unscheduled fluorography. It will make it possible to exclude the presence of a cancerous tumor in the lungs, or to detect it at a stage when treatment in the vast majority of cases has a positive effect.

Manifestations of lung cancer in late stages

At the third and fourth stages of development, lung cancer already manifests itself with quite clear symptoms:

• Systemic chest pain. Despite the fact that there are no pain nerve endings in the lungs, pain in pathology at these stages is formed in the pleura - the lining of the lungs and the walls of the chest cavity. That is, the cancerous tumor has already touched this area. In addition, the pain may radiate to the shoulder or the outer side of the arm, as the pathology affects the nerve fibers.
• Cough in the later stages of lung cancer changes from a systemic, dry cough that does not cause serious discomfort to a painful one, characterized by attacks and sputum production. Quite often you can see inclusions of blood or pus in it. It is blood in the sputum that is the most dangerous symptom, and with this manifestation, lung cancer of the third and fourth stages is recorded in most cases.
• Quite often, the pathology is manifested by enlarged lymph nodes located in the supraclavicular region. They are among the first to respond to the serious development of lung cancer, although this manifestation is not typical for all cases.
• In addition to the three above symptoms, with this pathology in the later stages, signs of early stage lung cancer also appear: low-grade fever, hoarseness, and a constant feeling of fatigue.

Any of the symptoms of the early and late stages, and even more so a complex of two or more manifestations, is a reason for immediate examination for the presence of malignant neoplasms. Only this approach will allow pathology to be detected as quickly as possible, which will significantly increase the chances of its effective treatment.

Clinical studies for suspected lung cancer

In the material about the manifestations of this oncological pathology, it is impossible not to touch upon the topic of clinical examination for suspected lung cancer. It is prescribed at the slightest probability of the presence of malignant neoplasms and is divided into two stages:

• The preliminary stage is to confirm the diagnosis. First of all, it includes fluorography of the chest in two projections, which allows you to determine the presence of a tumor and its location. This research method is the most popular in the diagnosis of lung cancer.
  In addition to radiography, diagnosis of the disease is carried out using bronchoscopy and transthoracic puncture biopsy. The first method allows you to thoroughly examine the bronchi for the presence of tumors, and the second is used in cases where primary diagnosis is impossible or does not confirm the expected diagnosis. A puncture biopsy consists of examining the contents of the tumor to determine whether it is malignant or benign. After taking material for research from the tumor, it is sent for cytological analysis.
• The diagnostic stage is carried out when the presence of a cancerous tumor in the lungs is confirmed and it is necessary to determine the stage of development of the disease. For these purposes, computed tomography and positron emission tomography are used. In addition to helping determine the stage and type of cancer, these tests are also used to monitor the tumor during therapy. This allows timely adjustment of treatment tactics depending on the results, which is extremely important when dealing with such a complex pathology.

Unfortunately, today cancer is not uncommon. Quite a large number of people suffer from malignant tumors. One of the most common is considered to be. At an early stage, the symptoms already become pronounced, although many people do not pay due attention to them. And in vain, because the neoplasm can be defeated. Well, we should talk about this in more detail.

Important information

What is the first thing you should say about lung cancer at an early stage? Many people do not perceive the symptoms of this disease as something scary or unusual. In general, oncological lesions of this organ are very rarely detected randomly (for example, after fluorography). Only 1/5 of all cases were detected through this procedure.

It is also worth remembering that many symptoms are, in fact, similar to other pathologies not related to oncology. They are often similar to those that accompany a person with tuberculosis, during acute infectious diseases (or chronic), bronchial asthma, pneumonia or even pleurisy. So if a person feels strange, then complaints alone will not be enough. But how to detect lung cancer at an early stage? CT (computed tomography) is the way out. The procedure is expensive, but it is better than any x-ray. Sometimes a tumor can be detected by examining fluid from the pleural cavity. But today CT is the safest and most effective method.

Cough is a reason to worry

Indeed, often it can be a kind of “beacon”. A cough always accompanies early stage lung cancer. The symptoms are different, but this is the main one. So, the cough is usually frequent and very debilitating. Accompanied by sputum of an unpleasant yellow-green color. If a person is in the cold for a long time or engaged in physical labor, then the amount of these waste secretions increases.

There may also be blood discharge when coughing. They usually have a scarlet or pink tint. Clots are often visible in the sputum. Even when a person coughs, he feels severe pain both in the throat and in the chest area. This is often a symptom of a strong virus, the flu, for example, but if there are other suspicions and signs, you should not ignore it. In addition to coughing, there is shortness of breath and wheezing. These are all also symptoms of lung cancer at an early stage.

Pain and other sensations

Oncology can also be accompanied by excessively rapid fatigue, apathy and eternal fatigue. Significant weight loss is often observed. These lungs at an early stage are a warning sign. It is necessary to listen to this if a person, with the same diet, suddenly began to lose weight.

General malaise is also one of the signs of the disease. An increase in body temperature that is not associated with viral diseases is also often observed. Often a person’s voice also changes. Hoarseness appears - this is due to the fact that the tumor affects the nerve that controls the larynx. By the way, if we talk about how to recognize lung cancer at an early stage, then, perhaps, the main answer here is the following - listen specifically to breathing. It is important. In the initial stages, a person has to make a lot of effort to breathe fully. This is due to the fact that the tumor is an obstacle to the usual air flow.

Weakness

Pain in the shoulder area can often occur. If the neoplasm has affected the nerve endings, then sensations will appear from the affected organ. Swallowing function is also impaired - also a common sign by which lung cancer can be recognized at an early stage. Symptoms of this kind appear when the tumor enters the walls of the esophagus. In this case, the airways are simply blocked.

And of course, muscle weakness. Many people take it for granted - maybe it was due to heavy work or there was an excessive force load. But often this is an alarming signal that you need to pay attention to.

What can cause cancer?

This topic also needs to be noted with attention when talking about how to recognize lung cancer at an early stage, the photo of which is provided above. In fact, there can be a lot of reasons. The most common is, of course, smoking. But it is not only because of this that a malignant neoplasm appears. There are two factors - constant (unchangeable) and modifiable (that is, changing). And a person cannot change the first of these in any way. Firstly, this is the person’s age - more than 50 years. Secondly, genetic factors (conditioning). Thirdly, environmental pollution. Severe disruptions in the functioning of the endocrine system (especially in women) and the presence of chronic lung diseases (pneumonia, etc.) can also affect this. Due to these ailments, the lung tissue is deformed and scars appear on it. This often becomes an excellent breeding ground for cancer.

As for smoking... Hundreds of scientists are developing this topic, they talk about it in all the media, and all over the world they are trying to solve this problem so that as few people as possible buy cigarettes and other tobacco products. We can talk about the dangers of smoking and tobacco addiction forever. But the fact remains that in the process of absorbing tobacco smoke, harmful carcinogenic substances enter the lungs, settling on the living soft pink epithelium, which over time becomes a dead, scorched, blue-black surface.

Oncology degrees

So, how to detect lung cancer at an early stage at home? The answer is simple - no way. If even fluorography reveals a malignant neoplasm in only 20% of cases, then what can we say about “folk” methods.

The first stage of oncology is a small tumor, the size of which is a maximum of three centimeters. Or is it a completely “screening out” from the main tumor of another organ. It is extremely difficult to detect it - only through computed tomography, which was mentioned at the very beginning.

The second stage is when the tumor is more than 3 centimeters and blocks the bronchus. The neoplasm can grow into the pleura. At the third stage, the tumor spreads to nearby structures. Atelectasis of the entire lung appears. And the fourth stage is when the tumor grows into nearby organs. This is the heart, large vessels. Metastatic pleurisy may occur. Unfortunately, the forecasts in this case are disappointing.

Is it really possible to cure?

This question arises for all people who have discovered cancer. All of them, regardless of the stage, hope for a positive outcome. Well, everything is possible in this life! There are people who claim that they managed to overcome cancer, and it has receded. Of course, the prognosis will be much more positive if the stage is early. This form is amenable to chemotherapy and radiation treatment. And in general, the percentage of recoveries in such cases is very high. But unfortunately, if you catch it in the final stages, it may not be easy for the patient. In these cases, the survival rate is 10%.

Prevention

So, when talking about how to recognize lung cancer at an early stage in adults, it is impossible not to touch on the topic of prevention. It is very important because it helps fight the disease. Well, the most important thing is to quit smoking, follow a special diet and, of course, quit your job if it requires you to be present in a place where there is a high content of harmful substances.

It is worth giving up spicy, fatty and fried foods and instead eating high-fiber foods, lean fish and always white meat. It would be a good idea to include dried fruits, nuts, cereals and natural, real chocolate in your diet.

Medical measures are extremely important. These are routine examinations and treatment. If the patient is at particular risk, he is sometimes prescribed special drugs that replace tobacco. Due to this, the need for smoking is reduced to a minimum, but the dose of harmful nicotine is replaced by medical nicotine. Gradually, step by step, following all the recommendations and not neglecting your health, you can get better and start enjoying life again.

A diagnosis of cancer sounds like a terrible death sentence for many, but is it so? The term “cancer” has been known since the time of Hippocrates, who called diseases of the breast and other organs “cancer” (translated from Greek as “crab”, “cancer”). This name is due to the fact that the neoplasms, like claws, grew deep into the tissue, which in appearance resembled a crab.

Cancer, a group of diseases that affect all systems, organs and tissues of a person, is characterized by the rapid growth of atypical cells that form over a long period of time from one normal cell under the influence of various factors, their penetration and spread into surrounding organs.

Some statistics! Around the world in 2012 there were approximately 14 million cases of cancer and about 8 million deaths from this disease. Lung cancer accounted for 13% of the incidence rate, becoming the most common cause of death from cancer and accounting for about 20% of all deaths from neoplasms. WHO estimates that in 30 years the prevalence of lung cancer will double. Russia and Ukraine are in second place in Europe in terms of mortality from lung cancer.

Such a high mortality rate from lung cancer is due to the fact that most often the diagnosis is made in the later stages of the disease due to poor visualization of the respiratory organs, so it is very important to detect the disease in time, which will increase the chances of recovery.

Interesting fact! Men get lung cancer 10 times more often than women, and the incidence increases with age. Therefore, with the aging of the population (and today in many European countries the number of elderly people is higher than young people), the incidence of cancer also increases.

The problem of lung cancer is closely intertwined with the spread of tobacco smoking among all groups of the population, the state of the environment, and the spread of viral and other infectious diseases. Therefore, the prevention of cancer is the destiny of not only each individual, but also the public as a whole.

Anatomy of the lungs

Topographic anatomy of the lungs

Lung structure

The lung tissue itself consists of slices, which are formed from acini, directly carrying out the breathing process.

The lungs are covered with pleura, which is a separate organ that protects the lung from friction during breathing. The pleura consists of two layers (parietal and visceral), between which the pleural sac is formed (normally it is not visible). A small amount of secretion is normally released through the pores of the pleura, which is a kind of “lubricant” that reduces friction between the parietal and visceral pleura.

With lesions of the pleura, exudate (liquid) can be determined:

• serous, serous-purulent, purulent fluid - pleurisy,
• blood (hemorrhagic exudate) – hemithorax,
• air (pneumothorax).

The root of the lung is formed by:

• main bronchus;
• pulmonary arteries and veins;
• bronchial arteries and veins;
• lymphatic vessels and nodes.

The mediastinum is a group of anatomical structures located between the pleural cavities. In order to describe the process, its localization, prevalence, and determine the scope of surgical operations, it is necessary to divide the mediastinum into upper and lower floors.

The superior mediastinum includes:

• thymus gland (thymus);
• vessels: part of the superior vena cava, aortic arch, brachiocephalic veins;
• trachea;
• esophagus;
• thoracic lymphatic vessel;
• nerve trunks: vagus, phrenic, nerve plexuses of organs and blood vessels.

• heart, aorta and other vessels;
• The lymph nodes;
• pericardium;
• trachea;
• esophagus;
• nerve trunks.

X-ray anatomy of the lungs

A plain X-ray of the chest organs reveals:

• bone frame in the form of three thoracic vertebrae, sternum, clavicles, ribs and shoulder blades;
• muscular frame (sternocleidomastoid and pectoral muscles);
• right and left pulmonary fields;
• domes of the diaphragm and pleuro-phrenic sinuses;
• heart and other mediastinal organs;
• right and left root of the lung;
• mammary glands and nipples;
• skin folds, moles, papillomas, keloids (scars).

Pulmonary drawing has a branched shape, “depletes” (becomes less branched) from the center to the periphery. The right pulmonary field is wider and shorter than the left due to the cardiac shadow located in the middle (larger on the left).

Any darkening in the lung fields (white formations on x-rays, due to increased density of the lung tissue) are pathological and require further differential diagnosis. Also, when diagnosing diseases of the lungs and other organs of the chest cavity, it is important to pay attention to changes in the roots of the lungs, expansion of the mediastinum, the location of the chest organs, the presence of fluid or air in the pleural cavity, deformation of the bone structures of the chest, and more.

Depending on size, shape, structure pathological shadows, found in the lung fields, are divided into:

1. Hypopneumatoses(decreased airiness of lung tissue):
   • Linear – stringy and branched (fibrosis, connective tissue), strip-like (pleural lesions);
   • Spotted – focal (up to 1 cm in size), foci (more than 1 cm in size)
2. Hyperpneumatoses(increased lung transparency):
   • Cavities surrounded by anatomical structures - bullae, emphysema;
   • Cavities surrounded by a ring-shaped shadow are caverns;
   • Cavities not limited to surrounding tissues.
3. Mixed.

• low-intensity shadows (lighter, “fresh”),
• medium intensity shadows;
• intense shadows (fibrous tissue);
• calcifications (look like bone tissue).

Radiation anatomy of lung cancer

Depending on the x-ray picture, the following are distinguished: types of lung cancer:

• central cancer (photo A);
• peripheral cancer (nodular, pneumonia-like, pleural, cavitary forms) (photo B);
• mediastinal cancer (photo B);
• apical cancer (photo G).

Pathological anatomy for lung cancer

Ways of spread of metastases:

• Lymphogenic – along the lymphatic system - regional lymph nodes, mediastinal lymph nodes and other organs and tissues.
• Hematogenous – through the blood along the vessels - the brain, bones, liver, thyroid gland and other organs.

Types of lung cancer depending on the type of cancer cells

1. Small cell lung cancer– occurs in 20% of cases, has an aggressive course. It is characterized by rapid progression and metastasis, early dissemination (spread) of metastases to the mediastinal lymph nodes.
2. Non-small cell lung cancer:
   • Adenocarcinoma – observed in 50% of cases, spreads from the glandular tissue of the bronchi, more often in the initial stages it occurs without symptoms. Characterized by copious sputum production.
   • Squamous cell carcinoma occurs in 20-30% of cases, is formed from flat cells in the epithelium of small and large bronchi, in the root of the lungs, grows and metastasizes slowly.
   • Undifferentiated cancer characterized by high atypicality of cancer cells.
3. Other types of cancer:
   • bronchial carcinoids are formed from hormone-producing cells (asymptomatic, difficult to diagnose, slow growing).
   • tumors from surrounding tissues (vessels, smooth muscles, immune cells, etc.).
   • metastases from tumors localized in other organs.

What does a cancerous lung look like?

Photo of a lung affected by central bronchial cancer. The formation is dense, connected to the main bronchus, gray-white in color, the boundaries of the tumor are unclear.

Causes of lung cancer

• Smoking, including passive smoking.
• Air pollution.
• Harmful working conditions.
• Radioactive background.
• Genetic predisposition.
• Concomitant chronic infectious diseases.
• Other causes of cancer include poor diet, sedentary lifestyle, alcohol abuse, viral infections, etc.

Smoking

Harm of smoking

• Chemical effect on cell genotype. The main cause of lung cancer is the entry of harmful substances into the lungs with the air. Cigarette smoke contains about 4,000 chemicals, including carcinogens. As the number of cigarettes smoked per day increases, the risk of lung cancer increases exponentially.
  When inhaling cigarette smoke, carcinogens can affect cell genes and cause their damage, thereby contributing to the degeneration of a healthy cell into a cancerous one.
• Physical effect on the bronchial mucosa of high temperatures and smoke.
  The risk of developing cancer when smoking also increases due to the temperature of the cigarette: for example, when it smolders, the temperature reaches 800-900C, which is a powerful catalyst for carcinogens.
• Narrowing of the bronchi and blood vessels
  Under the physical and chemical influence of nicotine, the bronchi and vascular network of the lungs narrow. Over time, the bronchi lose their ability to stretch during breathing, which leads to a decrease in the volume of inhaled oxygen, in turn, to a decrease in oxygen saturation of the body as a whole and the area affected by lung cancer cells in particular.
• An increase in the amount of mucus produced, its thickening
  Nicotine is able to increase the secretion of pulmonary secretions - sputum, its thickening, and removal from the bronchi, this leads to a decrease in lung volume.
• Atrophy of the villous epithelium of the bronchi
  Cigarette smoke also negatively affects the villi of the bronchi and upper respiratory tract, which normally contribute to active removal of phlegm with particles of dust, microbial bodies, tar from cigarette smoke and other harmful substances that have entered the respiratory tract. If there is insufficient bronchial villi, the only way to remove phlegm is to cough, which is why smokers constantly cough.
• Decreased oxygen saturation levels
  Insufficient oxygen saturation of the cells and tissues of the body, as well as the toxic effect of harmful substances from tobacco, affects general body resistance and immunity, which increases the risk of developing cancer in general.
• Passive smoking has the same danger as active. When a smoker exhales, the nicotine smoke becomes more concentrated.

Causes of lung cancer in non-smokers, mechanisms of development

• Genetic factor
  In modern times, with the study of the genetics of many diseases, it has been proven that predisposition to cancer is inherited. Moreover, the tendency to develop certain forms and localizations of cancer is also inherited.
• Environmental pollution exhaust gases from transport, industrial enterprises and other types of human activity affect the human body in the same way as passive smoking. Also relevant is the problem of soil and water contamination with carcinogens.
• Asbestos dust and other industrial substances (arsenic, nickel, cadmium, chromium, etc.) contained in industrial dust are carcinogens. Asbestos dust contains heavy particles that settle in the bronchi and are difficult to remove from the respiratory system. These particles contribute to the development of lung fibrosis and long-term exposure of the carcinogens they contain to the genetic background of normal cells, which leads to the development of cancer.
• Radon – natural gas, which is a product of the decay of uranium.
  Radon can be detected at work, in water, soil and dust. When radon decays, alpha particles are formed, which, along with dust and aerosols, enter the human lungs, where they also affect the DNA of the cell, causing it to degenerate into an abnormal one.
• Infectious diseases The bronchopulmonary system, as well as inadequate therapy for them, can lead to chronic inflammation of the bronchi and lungs, this, in turn, contributes to the formation and spread of fibrosis. The development of fibrous tissue can cause the development of cancer cells. The same mechanism of transformation of cancer cells is possible during the formation of scars in tuberculosis.

Symptoms and signs of lung cancer

Early manifestation of lung cancer

Symptoms of lung cancer are nonspecific and can appear in many other diseases, but a set of symptoms may be a reason to consult a doctor for further examination for the presence of cancer.

Depending on the extent of the lesion, shape, location and stage, symptoms may vary. There are a number of symptoms that may indicate lung cancer.

Stages and types of lung cancer

1. Central cancer characterized by a tumor in the epithelium of the main bronchi.
2. Peripheral cancer affects smaller bronchi and alveoli.
3. Mediastinal cancer characterized by metastasis to the intrathoracic lymph nodes, while the primary tumor is not detected.
4. Disseminated cancer lungs is manifested by the presence of multiple small cancer foci.

Depending on the extent of the tumor process

Diagnosis of lung cancer

X-ray diagnostic methods

1. Fluorography (FG)- mass screening x-ray method for examining the chest organs.

   Indications:

   • the patient has pulmonary or intoxication complaints;
   • detection of pathology on fluorography;
   • detection of neoplasms in other organs in order to exclude metastasis to the lungs and mediastinum;
   • other individual indications.
   Advantages:
   • the ability to use certain projections individually;
   • the ability to use X-ray examinations with the introduction of contrast agents into the bronchi, vessels and esophagus in order to conduct a differential diagnosis of the identified pathology;
   • identification of neoplasms, determination of their approximate size, localization, prevalence;
   • low X-ray exposure when performing one projection of radiography, since X-rays penetrate the body only along one surface of the body (with an increase in the number of images, the radiation exposure increases sharply);
   • a fairly cheap research method.
   Flaws:
   • insufficient information content - due to the layering of three-dimensional measurement of the chest on the two-dimensional measurement of the x-ray film.
2. X-ray

   It is a real-time x-ray research method.
   Flaws: high radiation exposure, but with the introduction of digital fluoroscopes this drawback is practically eliminated due to a significant reduction in the radiation dose.

   Advantages:

   • the ability to evaluate not only the organ itself, but also its mobility, as well as the movement of injected contrast agents;
   • the ability to control invasive procedures (angiography, etc.).
   Indications:
   • detection of fluid in the pleural cavity;
   • conducting contrast research methods and instrumental manipulations;
   • screening of the condition of the chest organs in the postoperative period.


3. Computed tomography (CT)

   Advantages:

   • Efficiency and safety.
   • Mapping the structure of the body using radio waves emitted by hydrogen atoms, which are contained in all cells and tissues of the body.
   • No radiation exposure - is a tomographic, but not x-ray method of examination,
   • High accuracy of detecting tumors, their position, type, shape and stage of cancer.
   Indications for MRI:
   • unwanted use of x-rays;
   • suspicion of the presence of a neoplasm and metastases;
   • the presence of fluid in the pleural cavity (pleurisy);
   • enlarged intrathoracic lymph nodes;
   • control of surgery in the chest cavity.
   Disadvantages of MRI:
   • Presence of contraindications (use of a pacemaker, electronic and metal implants, presence of metal fragments, artificial joints).
   • MRI is not recommended when using insulin pumps, claustrophobia, mental agitation of the patient, or the presence of tattoos using dyes made from metal compounds.
   • Expensive research method.
   Ultrasound examinations in the diagnosis of lung cancer (ultrasound) are an ineffective but safe research method for lung cancer.

   Indications:

   • determining the presence of liquid or gases in the pleural cavity, enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes;
   • detection of metastases in the abdominal and pelvic organs, kidneys and adrenal glands.
4. Bronchoscopy

   This is an invasive method of examining the airways using a bronchoscope.

   Advantages:

   • detection of tumors, inflammatory processes and foreign bodies in the bronchi;
   • the possibility of taking a tumor biopsy.
   Flaws:
   • invasiveness and discomfort during the procedure.
   Indications:
   • suspicion of a neoplasm in the bronchus;
   • taking tissue biopsy material.

Histological and cytological methods for studying lung cancer

Biopsy methods:

• thoracentesis – puncture of the pleural cavity;
• fine-needle aspiration biopsy - taking material through the chest;
• mediastinoscopy – taking material from the lymph nodes of the mediastinum through a puncture of the chest;
• thoracotomy - surgical diagnostic operations with opening of the chest;
• cytological examination of sputum.

Tumor markers

Indications:

• an additional method for detecting tumors using other methods;
• monitoring the effectiveness of treatment;
• detection of disease relapses.

• low specificity;
• insufficient sensitivity.

• Carcinoembryonic antigen(REA)
  up to 5 µg/l – normal;
  5-10 µg/l – may indicate nonspecific diseases;
  10-20 µg/l – indicates a risk of cancer;
  more than 20 μg/l - indicates a high probability of cancer.
• Neuron-specific enolase (NSE)
  up to 16.9 µg/l – normal;
  more than 17.0 μg/l – high probability of small cell lung cancer.
• Cyfra 21-1
  up to 3.3 µg/l – normal;
  more than 3.3 μg/l – high probability of non-small cell lung cancer.

Lung cancer treatment

Efficiency treatment determines:

• absence of relapses and metastases for 2-3 years (the risk of relapses after 3 years is sharply reduced);
• five-year survival after completion of treatment.

1. chemotherapy;
2. radiation therapy;
3. surgery;
4. ethnoscience.

Chemotherapy

• Chemotherapy (CT) is a common method of treating lung cancer (especially in complex treatment), which consists of taking chemotherapy drugs that affect the growth and activity of cancer cells.
• In modern times, scientists around the world are studying and discovering the latest chemotherapy drugs, which leaves the possibility for this method to take first place in the treatment of cancer.
• HT is carried out in courses. The number of courses depends on the effectiveness of the therapy (on average, 4–6 blocks of chemotherapy are required).
• The tactics and regimens of chemotherapy differ for small cell and non-small cell lung cancer.

• Chemotherapy is more effective for rapidly growing forms of cancer (small cell cancer).
• CT can be used for cancer at any stage, even in the most advanced cases.
• CT is used in combination with radiation therapy or surgical treatment.

Radiotherapy (radiation therapy)

When to use:

• Small cancerous tumors.
• Before or after surgery to target cancer cells.
• Presence of metastases.
• As one of the methods of palliative treatment.

Video of using CyberKnife for lung cancer:


The main possible side effects from radiation therapy:

• Damage to the skin at the site of exposure to the radioactive beam.
• Fatigue.
• Baldness.
• Bleeding from an organ affected by cancer.
• Pneumonia, pleurisy.
• Hyperthermic syndrome (increased body temperature).

Surgical treatment of lung cancer

TO inoperable cases include:

1. Advanced forms of lung cancer.
2. Cases with relative contraindications to surgical treatment:
   • heart failure of the 2nd-3rd degree;
   • severe heart pathologies;
   • severe liver or kidney failure;
   • severe general condition;
   • patient's age.

Types of operations:

• Partial lung resection.
• Lobectomy - removal of an entire lobe of the lung.
• Pulmonectomy – removal of the entire lung.
• Combined operations – removal of the affected part of the lung and affected parts of surrounding organs.

Efficiency of surgical treatment depends on the stage and type of cancer, on the general condition of the patient, on the chosen type of operation, the professionalism of the operating team, equipment and the complexity of treatment.

• Three-year absence of relapses – up to 50%.
• Five-year survival rate is up to 30%.

Palliative care – activities aimed at making life easier for patients with advanced forms of lung cancer or with no effect on the therapy.

Palliative care includes:

• Symptomatic treatment that relieves symptoms but does not cure the disease (narcotic and non-narcotic analgesics, antitussives, tranquilizers and others). In addition to medications, palliative operations (radiation and chemotherapy) are used.
• Improving the psycho-emotional state of the patient.
• Prevention of infectious diseases.
• Individual approach to such patients.

Traditional methods

• The effectiveness of treatment with traditional methods has not been studied enough.
• It is advisable to use these methods in combination with traditional medicine methods (after consultation with the attending physician).
• It is possible to use traditional methods as palliative care for the patient.
• As in traditional medicine, treatment regimens with traditional methods depend on the form, location, type, stage and extent of the cancer process.

• Herbal decoctions and tinctures (mostly poisonous plants are used).
• Applications of herbal tinctures, medicinal stones.
• Energy medicine.
• Special diets and exercises.

A decoction of aconite roots. 20 g of plant roots are poured with water (1 liter), then boiled for 2 hours. Drink 30 ml daily before bed.

Musk tincture. Pour 5 g of musk into 200 ml of vodka and leave for 1 month in the dark. Start taking 5 drops after each meal, the dose is gradually increased to 25 drops. After each month of treatment there is a break of 7 days.

Tincture of catharanthus rosea. Pour caranthus leaves and flowers into a half-liter container, fill them with 70 percent alcohol to a volume of 1 liter, leave in a dark place for 2 weeks. Drink 5 drops 3 times before meals. Increase the dose to 20 drops over the course of a month. After a month - break for 7 days, then start again. This treatment lasts 8 months.

Cetraria decoction. Pour 2 teaspoons of crushed cetrarium into 250 ml of chilled water for 12 hours. Then put in a water bath, evaporate to 2/3 of the volume. Take 1-2 tablespoons 3 times a day. Every 3 weeks – a break of 7 days.

Tincture of cherry laurel leaves. Pour 250 g of fresh leaves into 1 liter of vodka and leave in the dark for 2-3 weeks. Take 10 drops 2 times a day 1 hour after meals, gradually increase the dose to 20-25 drops per dose, then to 7 and 10 ml. Drink for a month, then take a break for 2 weeks, repeat this regimen.

Also, in the treatment of lung cancer, various decoctions and tinctures of saffron, sage, sage, wormwood, violet roots, squeaky grass and many other plants are used.

Prevention of lung cancer

1. Healthy lifestyle
   • Quitting smoking cigarettes.
   • Protection from passive smoking.
   • Avoiding or drinking alcohol in moderation.
   • Quitting drug use.
   • Active lifestyle.
   • Healthy eating.
   • Fighting excess body weight.
   • Refusal to take any medications unless necessary or prescribed by a doctor.
   • Prevention of infectious diseases, especially those transmitted through blood and sexual contact.
   • Adequate antibiotic therapy for infectious diseases of the lungs and bronchi.
   • Dosing of exposure to sunlight.
   • Planning pregnancy - a healthy lifestyle during the period of conception and pregnancy will significantly reduce the risk of cancer.
2. Society's fight against environmental pollution.
3. Personal respiratory protection in hazardous industries.
4. Reducing exposure to radiation: improving ventilation in the home, checking radon levels of building materials used in the home, avoiding non-indicated X-ray diagnostic tests.
5. Timely and regular medical examination.