Health experts warn of the worsening lung cancer crisis, as it affects nearly two million people annually and kills 1.8 million others, with the number of deaths expected to increase this year to reach 125,000 new cases.

What is lung cancer?

Lung cancer is a type of cancer that forms in the tissues of the lungs, usually in the cells lining the airways. It affects both men and women around the world.

While smoking is the main cause of lung cancer, it can also occur in non-smokers due to various or unknown factors.

There are two main types of lung cancer: non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), which accounts for approximately 80-85% of all cases, and small cell lung cancer (SCLC), which is less common and more aggressive.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide, largely because it is difficult to detect in its early stages, as no distinct symptoms usually appear until it has advanced significantly.

Lung cancer symptoms

Lung cancer symptoms can vary depending on the stage of the disease.

• A persistent cough that gets worse over time.
• Pain, tightness, or discomfort in the chest.
• Coughing up blood or phlegm.
• Hoarseness and changes in voice.
• Shortness of breath or wheezing.
• Unexplained weight loss.
• Fatigue and weakness.
• Recurrent respiratory infections.

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It is important to note that these symptoms may be an indicator of other respiratory diseases as well. If you are suffering from any of them, it is necessary to consult a specialist doctor to get an accurate diagnosis.

It is worth noting that understanding the possible symptoms of lung cancer is crucial to seeking medical attention as early as possible.

Lung cancer is not what it used to be — advances in diagnosis and treatment offer hope for many patients. Oncology center And start your healing journey with confidence.

What are the causes of lung cancer?

The main cause of lung cancer is cigarette smoking, which is responsible for the majority of detected cases.

• Exposure to second-hand cigarette smoke or passive smoking.
• Occupational exposure to carcinogens, such as asbestos, arsenic compounds, and radon gas.
• Genetic predisposition or family history to lung cancer.
• Previous and repeated radiation therapy to the chest area.
• Chronic lung diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or asbestosis.

It is essential to understand these risk factors and take appropriate measures to reduce your chances of developing lung cancer.

What analysis detects lung cancer?

There may not be a single test that specifically detects lung cancer, but doctors use the following tests to confirm their diagnosis: 

• Liquid biopsies, which are blood tests that detect the presence of specific cell types, such as circulating tumor cells (CTCs) that indicate infection.
• Metabolic test: This test analyzes the metabolites present in the blood sample;
• Analysis of cancer biomarkers.

 Also, if you have any persistent respiratory symptoms or have risk factors associated with lung cancer, your doctor may recommend several diagnostic tests, including:

• Chest X-ray to detect any abnormalities in the lung tissue.
• Computed tomography (CT scan) provides more detailed images of the lungs, which helps detect and characterize lung tumors.
• Positron emission tomography (PET) scan, to evaluate the extent of the cancer's spread in the body.
• Biopsy, which involves taking a sample of tissue from the lungs to determine the presence of cancer cells.

These diagnostic tests, along with a comprehensive medical history and physical examination, help the oncologist get closer to accurately diagnosing lung cancer.

Lung cancer treatment

Lung cancer treatment depends on various factors, including the type and stage of cancer, the patient's general health, and personal preferences.

• Surgery: Surgical removal of the tumor and surrounding tissue is often recommended to treat early-stage lung cancer.
• Radiotherapy: High-energy radiation is used to kill cancer cells or shrink tumors.
• Chemotherapy: They are medications that destroy cancer cells throughout the body.
• Targeted therapy: These drugs target genetic mutations or specific proteins found in cancer cells.
• Immunotherapy: This treatment boosts the body's immune system to fight cancer cells.

The choice of treatment is based on a comprehensive evaluation by a multidisciplinary team of doctors;

Lung cancer medications

The most prominent medications used to treat lung cancer include:

• Chemotherapy drugs commonly used to treat non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), such as:
• Cisplatin and carboplatin.
• Paclitaxel.
• Docetaxel. 

These chemotherapy drugs are often used in a combination of two or more drugs to treat early-stage non-small-cell lung cancer.

• Targeted therapy drugs that are also used to treat non-small cell lung cancer, including drugs that target genetic mutations of various types.
• Immunotherapy drugs used alone or in combination with chemotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer in particular, such as PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors, which include: 
  • Pembrolizumab.
  • Nivolumab.
  • Atezolizumab.

It is worth noting that chemotherapy can be given before surgery, or after surgery, and sometimes in combination with radiation, targeted therapy, or immunotherapy.

New in lung cancer treatment

The field of lung cancer treatment has witnessed remarkable progress in recent years, especially non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), which is the most common type.

• Targeted Therapies: These drugs focus on specific genetic mutations in cancer cells, and have shown promising results in improving survival rates compared to traditional chemotherapy.
• Immunotherapy: These treatments activate the immune system to fight cancer cells, and a new drug called Tarlatamab has shown effectiveness against small cell lung cancer (SCLC), which is the most aggressive type.
• Inhalable Treatments: Research is currently being conducted on the effectiveness of new inhaled treatments, which aim to deliver the treatment directly to the lung cells, which may increase the effectiveness of the treatment and reduce its side effects.

Thanks to new advances in targeted therapy and immunotherapy, we are on the cusp of a new era in lung cancer treatment.

Can lung cancer be cured?

While lung cancer can be cured in some cases, especially when detected early, the focus of treatment in advanced stages is usually around controlling the disease, improving quality of life, and reducing the burden of symptoms on patients.

Lung cancer is one of the most common and deadly cancers in the world, but with increasing awareness and the development of treatments, a new flame of hope is on the horizon.