When you talk about cancer, you might think of breast, cervical, or even pancreatic cancer, but do you know what cancer is? Main symptoms of lung cancer?These are also Available treatments.
What are the symptoms of lung cancer?
The American Cancer Society shares a list of key symptoms that indicate the presence of this disease:
- Cough that persists or gets worse
- Coughing up blood or rust-colored saliva or phlegm
- hoarse
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss without apparent cause
- Difficulty breathing
- tired or weak
- Recurrent bronchitis or pneumonia infections
- Chest roaring
Additionally, when cancer spreads to other parts of the body, it may also include:
- bone pain
- Headache, numbness in the arms or legs, dizziness, seizures, or balance problems
- Yellowing of eyes or skin
- swollen lymph nodes
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How long can someone with lung cancer live?
In general, lung cancer is an aggressive disease that is often diagnosed at an advanced stage, which can negatively impact life expectancy. However, advances in lung cancer treatment in recent years have improved the outlook for some patients.
Overall estimates suggest that the five-year survival rate for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer may be relatively high, exceeding 50%.
But in more advanced stages, this rate is significantly lower, and in some cases, the disease may not be curable. Small cell lung cancer, on the other hand, tends to be more aggressive and is associated with a shortened overall life expectancy (even by months).
That’s why it’s important that you know the following Main symptoms of lung cancerbecause timely detection is critical for a better life prognosis.
In fact, experts recommend that if you are a smoker or have smoked in your lifetime, you should get a low-dose CT scan every year to catch abnormalities promptly.
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How is lung cancer treated?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that there are many treatment options for lung cancer, including:
- Surgery: In this method, cancerous tissue is removed through surgery.
- Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy involves the use of drugs, which can be given in tablet form or intravenously, with the goal of reducing the size of the tumor.
- Radiation therapy: High-intensity radiation is used to kill cancer cells.
- Targeted therapy or targeted therapy: This treatment option is highly personalized and tailored to the specific type of cancer a patient has. Drugs designed to specifically stop and slow the growth of cancer cells can be given orally or intravenously.
Targeted therapy or targeted therapy, together with immunotherapy, constitute the most modern alternatives in the fight against this disease.
Immunotherapy is a type of biological therapy in which the body is “taught” to defend itself against cancer and detect it as a foreign agent that must be fought, which is why it is important that you know what the cancer is. Key symptoms of lung cancer and available treatmentsbecause despite alternatives, it remains a potentially fatal disease.