Diagnosis of Lung Cancer
Physicians use information revealed by symptoms and several other procedures in order to diagnose lung cancer. Common imaging include chest X-rays, bronchoscopy [ a thin tube with a camera on one end], CT scans, PET scans, and MRI scans. Physician will also conduct a physical examination, a chest examination, and an analysis of blood in the sputum. All of these procedures are designed to detect where the tumor is located and what additional organs may be affected by it. Although the above diagnostic techniques provided important information, extracting cancer cells and looking at them under a microscope is the only absolute way to diagnose lung cancer. This procedure is called a biopsy. If biopsy confirms developing lung cancer, a pathologist will determine whether it is small cell lung cancer or non small cell lung cancer.
After a diagnosis is made, an oncologist will determine the stage of cancer by finding out how far the cancer has been spread. The stage determines which choices will be available for treatment and informs prognosis. The common cancer staging method is called the TNM system. T(1-4) indicates the size and direct extent of the primary tumar, N(0-3() indicates whether the cancer has metastasized to other organs in the body. A small tumor that has not spread to lymph modes or distant can be staged as ( T1, N0, M0), for example.
For the non small cell lung cancer, TNM description lead to a simpler categorization of stages. These stages are labeled from I to IV, where lower numbers indicate earlier stages where the cancer has spread less. More specifically-
Stage I is when the tumor is found only is one lung and in no lymph nodes.
Stage II is when the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes surrounding the infected lung.
Stage IIIa is when cancer has spread to lymph nodes around the trachea, chest wall, and diaphragm, on the same side as the infected lung.
Stage IIIb is when cancer has spread to lymph nodes on the other lung or in the neck.
Stage IV is when the cancer has spread throughout the rest of the body and other parts of the lungs.
Small cell lung cancer, it has two stages: limited of extensive. In the limited stage, tumor exists in one lung and other organs in the body.
Prevention of Lung cancer
There is no sure way to prevent lung cancer. But you can reduce the risk of lung cancer if you maintain these tips are below:
1. Do not smoke: If you have never smoked, then do not start. Talk to your children about not smoking so that they can understand how to avoid this one of the most important risk factor for lung cancer. Begin conversations about the dangers of smoking with your children early so that they can know how to react to peer pressure.
2. Stop smoking: Stop smoking now. Quitting reduce of the lung cancer, even if you have smoked for years. Discuss a doctor about strategies and stop-smoking aids that can help you quit. Options include nicotine replacement products, medications and support groups.
3.Try to eat a diet full of vegetables and fruits: You have to choose a healthy diet with a variety of fruits and vegetables. Food sources of vitamins in pill form, as that may be harmful. For instance, researchers hoping to reduce the risk of lung cancer in heavy smokers gave them beta carotene supplements. Results showed the supplements actually increased the risk of cancer in smokers.
4. Try to avoid carcinogens at work: Take precautions to protect yourself from exposure to toxic chemicals at work. Follow your employer's precautions. For instance, if you are given a face mask for protection, a;ways were it. Ask your doctor what more you can do to protect your self at work. Your risk of lung damage from workplace carcinogens increases if you smoke.
5. Exercise: Aim for at least 150 a week of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity. Check with your doctor first if you are not already exercising regularly. Start out slowly and continue adding more activities. Swimming and walking are good choices. Try to add exercise throughout your day - park farther away from work and walk and walk the rest of the way or take the stairs rather than the elevator. Strength training is also important. Try to do strength training exercise at least twice a week.
6. Avoid secondhand smoke: If you live or work with a smoker, urge him or her to quit. At the very least, ask them to smoke outside. Avoid areas where people smoke, such as bars and restaurants, and seek out smoke free option.
Physicians use information revealed by symptoms and several other procedures in order to diagnose lung cancer. Common imaging include chest X-rays, bronchoscopy [ a thin tube with a camera on one end], CT scans, PET scans, and MRI scans. Physician will also conduct a physical examination, a chest examination, and an analysis of blood in the sputum. All of these procedures are designed to detect where the tumor is located and what additional organs may be affected by it. Although the above diagnostic techniques provided important information, extracting cancer cells and looking at them under a microscope is the only absolute way to diagnose lung cancer. This procedure is called a biopsy. If biopsy confirms developing lung cancer, a pathologist will determine whether it is small cell lung cancer or non small cell lung cancer.
After a diagnosis is made, an oncologist will determine the stage of cancer by finding out how far the cancer has been spread. The stage determines which choices will be available for treatment and informs prognosis. The common cancer staging method is called the TNM system. T(1-4) indicates the size and direct extent of the primary tumar, N(0-3() indicates whether the cancer has metastasized to other organs in the body. A small tumor that has not spread to lymph modes or distant can be staged as ( T1, N0, M0), for example.
For the non small cell lung cancer, TNM description lead to a simpler categorization of stages. These stages are labeled from I to IV, where lower numbers indicate earlier stages where the cancer has spread less. More specifically-
Stage I is when the tumor is found only is one lung and in no lymph nodes.
Stage II is when the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes surrounding the infected lung.
Stage IIIa is when cancer has spread to lymph nodes around the trachea, chest wall, and diaphragm, on the same side as the infected lung.
Stage IIIb is when cancer has spread to lymph nodes on the other lung or in the neck.
Stage IV is when the cancer has spread throughout the rest of the body and other parts of the lungs.
Small cell lung cancer, it has two stages: limited of extensive. In the limited stage, tumor exists in one lung and other organs in the body.
Prevention of Lung cancer
There is no sure way to prevent lung cancer. But you can reduce the risk of lung cancer if you maintain these tips are below:
1. Do not smoke: If you have never smoked, then do not start. Talk to your children about not smoking so that they can understand how to avoid this one of the most important risk factor for lung cancer. Begin conversations about the dangers of smoking with your children early so that they can know how to react to peer pressure.
2. Stop smoking: Stop smoking now. Quitting reduce of the lung cancer, even if you have smoked for years. Discuss a doctor about strategies and stop-smoking aids that can help you quit. Options include nicotine replacement products, medications and support groups.
3.Try to eat a diet full of vegetables and fruits: You have to choose a healthy diet with a variety of fruits and vegetables. Food sources of vitamins in pill form, as that may be harmful. For instance, researchers hoping to reduce the risk of lung cancer in heavy smokers gave them beta carotene supplements. Results showed the supplements actually increased the risk of cancer in smokers.
4. Try to avoid carcinogens at work: Take precautions to protect yourself from exposure to toxic chemicals at work. Follow your employer's precautions. For instance, if you are given a face mask for protection, a;ways were it. Ask your doctor what more you can do to protect your self at work. Your risk of lung damage from workplace carcinogens increases if you smoke.
5. Exercise: Aim for at least 150 a week of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity. Check with your doctor first if you are not already exercising regularly. Start out slowly and continue adding more activities. Swimming and walking are good choices. Try to add exercise throughout your day - park farther away from work and walk and walk the rest of the way or take the stairs rather than the elevator. Strength training is also important. Try to do strength training exercise at least twice a week.
6. Avoid secondhand smoke: If you live or work with a smoker, urge him or her to quit. At the very least, ask them to smoke outside. Avoid areas where people smoke, such as bars and restaurants, and seek out smoke free option.
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