American cancer society calculated the below-mentioned ratios of lung cancer in America.

• Almost 236,740 new cases of lung cancers were reported in 2022 in both men and women.
• Among them, 130,180 were reported to have succumbed to the growing fatal symptoms of lung cancer.

Lung cancer is a major source of cancer death, and it covers almost 25% of deaths as compared to other cancers. Respiratory failure considered an immediate cause of mortality in almost 38% of lung cancer patients. At Lung n sleep, a consult pulmonary specialist if you are noticing some glaring symptoms.

Lung cancer is major source of cancer deaths. It accounts for almost 25% of deaths as compared to other cancers. The American Cancer Society estimated almost 236,740 new cases of lung cancer in 2022 alone. The figures included both men and women, out of which, 130,10 were reported dead.

While lung cancer is prevalent in individuals above the age of 65, it is cited in the young population as well.

At Lung N Sleep centers, respiratory failure is declared as the immediate cause of mortality in almost 38% of lung cancer patients.

What is Lung cancer?

Lung cancer is a form of cancer that usually begins from the outer lining of the lungs. It is extremely complex, not only to understand but also to treat.

Lungs are a pair of elastic and homogenous organs in our chest. They take in oxygen when we breathe in and release carbon dioxide when we breathe out. Lung cancer develops with an abnormal growth of cells in the lungs or only in one lung that is uncontrollable. It is the second most common type of cancer.  The disease is spreading worldwide at a rapid rate. Generally, it is assumed that smoking causes lung cancer. While the chances of lung cancer are higher in smokers, it can nonetheless, affect non-smokers too.

The duration of smoking and the number of cigarettes can badly affect the lungs and causes lung cancer. However, one can reduce the risk of lung cancer by quitting smoking, even after years of smoking.

Types of lung cancer

Lung cancer can broadly be divided into two types

1. Small cell lung cancer (SCLC)
2. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

There is a third type as well called carcinoid. However, it is less common.

Symptoms of lung cancer

Different people experience different symptoms of lung cancer. Some have symptoms related only to the lungs and respiratory system. While others, whose lung cancer is metastasized (spread to other parts of the body) face symptoms in that body part. Some people don’t even notice any symptoms until cancer reaches an advanced stage. Therefore, we categorized lung cancer symptoms into common symptoms for lung cancer and advanced symptoms.

Common symptoms of lung cancer

Commonly, lung cancer may include the following symptoms

• Persistent and worsening cough
• Pain in chest
• Shortness of breath
• Wheezing
• Phlegm with blood
• Spits of blood
• Sudden weight loss
• Pain in the back and shoulders while coughing, laughing, and deep breathing
• Infections in the lungs such as Pneumonia and Bronchitis
• Finger clubbing (change in the shape of fingers)
• Difficulty swallowing
• Neck and face swelling

Although, all these symptoms may or may not be associated with lung cancer only. One can experience the same in any other medical condition other than lung cancer. It’s always advisable to get routine checkups to not get into any trouble. Cancers of any type can be preventable when diagnosed earlier.

Advanced lung cancer symptoms

Advanced symptoms of lung cancer are found when the cancer is spread to other distinct body parts and may affect bones, liver, and brain. Advanced lung cancer symptoms may develop once cancer reaches other body parts. They may include

• Pain in bones
• Swelling in the arms, neck, or face
• Jaundice
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Lumps in collarbone and neck

Some lung cancer may lead to certain types of syndromes.

Here, we discussed different syndromes which are a set of certain symptoms.

Horner syndrome

Lung cancer affecting the upper parts of the lungs is called Pancoast tumor. These tumors are more likely to be small cell lung cancer (SCLC).

Pancoast tumors may affect the upper part of the body such as damaging certain nerves in the eyes and face, causing several symptoms called Horner syndrome.

• Dropping and weakness of eyelid
• Shrinking of a pupil of the same eye
• Less or no sweating on the affected face side
• Sometimes, it can cause severe shoulders pain

Superior vena cava syndrome

The SVC superior vena cava is a nerve, that is very long and carries blood from the head and arms to the heart. It circulates right next to the upper part of a right-side lung and lymph nodes in the chest. Here, tumors can press into the vena cava nerve, causing blood to back up in the veins. This can make the face, neck, and upper parts of the chest swallow and even change the skin color of these parts to bluish-red. It also develops headaches, dizziness, and consciousness as it may affect the brain as well. It’s a life-threatening syndrome and sometimes alarming to an extent that must be cured immediately.

Paraneoplastic syndrome

Lung cancers often produce a hormone-like substance that enters the arteries and causes problems with isolated tissues and organs. This complication is called paraneoplastic syndrome. These syndromes are likely to be the first sign of lung cancer. Paraneoplastic syndromes are associated with SCLC a majority of the time. However, they can also be found in another form of lung cancer.

Symptoms of lung cancer in men and women

Lung cancer can be diagnosed in both men and women, it is the 2nd most common type of cancer.

However, men are more commonly diagnosed with prostate cancer and women with breast cancer.

The death ratio in lung cancer is the highest among all other types of cancer. Below are some statistics that show lung cancer diagnosis and death rate from lung cancer among men and women.

• According to ACS, (American Cancer Society) in 2022 about 117,910 men have diagnosed with lung cancer and the number of women was around 118,830. Among them, 68,820 men died, and 61,360 women.
• American Lung Association declared the number of men diagnosed with lung cancer is decreased in the past four decades. At the same time diagnosis rate rapidly increase in women but it started to go down.
• Symptoms are more alarming in women when they are diagnosed with lung cancer before menopause. This tumor has speedy growth and a poor prognosis.
• Women are experiencing lung cancer symptoms at an early age as compared to men.

Overall, lung cancer symptoms are relatively the same in all genders depending on the type of cancer. Some of the signs are bloody cough, chest pain, and difficulty breathing.

Types of lung cancer in men and women

Sometimes types of lung cancer can differ in men and women

• Women are more likely to develop Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)than men.
• Non-smoker women tend to develop more with the sub-type of lung cancer called Bronchioalveolar carcinoma as compared to non-smoker men.
• Another subtype of lung cancer called Adenocarcinoma, It the type that’s not necessarily related to smoking. This type of cancer is more common in women than in men.
• Men tend to develop more Squamous cell carcinoma than women.
• Women have more speedy recovery rate than men in lung cancer treatments. As their bodies respond well to chemotherapy treatments.

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Wrap up

Lung cancer is a complex medical condition, that if not diagnosed on time and treated properly leads a patient to severe consequences. However, survival chances are much greater in early diagnosis. If someone faces any of the symptoms of lung cancer, they should initially Consult a pulmonary specialist for timely diagnosis and treatment.