Lung cancer is a type of cancer that results from cellular changes in the lung, and the disease is characterized by abnormal cell growth. The growth is caused by many risk factors like smoking and leads to the growth of a malignant tumour. Lung cancer is prevalent across the world, and the disease has a high mortality rate. Lung cancer is usually fatal, as the disease tends to metastasize very fast.
Lung cancer was recognized as a disease in mid-1700 (Mustafa et al., 2016). The disease was uncommon at the time due to the low level of exposure factors. “Malignant tumors made up only 1 percent of all cancers at autopsy in 1878 but has risen to 10-15 percent by early 1900s” (Mustafa et al., 2016, p.94). With the advent of smoking, cases of lung cancer became common. In the early 1900s, the rate had risen to 10-15% (Mustafa et al., 2016). Numerous researchers and scientists have found that smoking to be the main cause of lung cancer (Mustafa et al., 2016). In 1933, the first successful pneumonectomy was done (Mustafa et al., 2016). Successful radiotherapies and chemotherapies were developed since then.
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Primarily, lungs facilitate gas exchange during the process of respiration. When an individual breaths in air, oxygen from the air enters the blood system through the trachea. When the individual breaths out, carbon dioxide leaves the blood. Diseases, like cancer, reduced lung function. Lung cancer mainly starts at the bronchi. Once the growth of malignant tumours begins, they can metastasize. This can affect the normal functioning of the body system. At first, one may start to experience respiratory problems such as bronchitis or pneumonia. With time, an individual may start to experience shortness in breadth. The individual may also start to develop a persistent cough. As the cancer progress, the mucus produced from persistent coughing may start to show bloodstains or other colours. As cancer metastasizes, fluid can accumulate around the lungs, and this is a very critical condition as the lungs may fail to expand fully when breathing in. The disease can also affect other organs affect the normal functioning of these parts.
“ The two main types of lung cancer are small-cell lung carcinoma and non-small cell lung carcinoma ” (Mustafa et al., 2016, p. 94). Smoking is known to be one of the major risk factor that leads to lung cancer. According to Mustafa et al., (2016), smoking accounts for approximately 85% of lung cancers (Mustafa et al., 2016). Apart from smoking, exposure to radon gas, air pollution, and asbestos are other causes. Radon gas tends to ionize genetic material, and it can result in mutations that sometimes turn cancerous. Air pollution, which includes fine particulates and sulphate aerosols, can also cause lung cancer.
Generally, people who have lung cancer display symptoms, and some of the symptoms one may experience are persistent cough, weight loss, pneumonia and episodes of bronchitis, chest pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, and hoarseness (Mustafa et al., 2016). Physicians take the medical history of the patient, carry out physical examinations, carry out blood tests, carry out imaging tests to test and diagnose lung cancer (Mustafa et al., 2016). The tests can also help identify the stage of cancer. Lung cancer has no cure, but there are some treatment options which can help treat the affected part. The treatment options usually depend on the size, location, and how far the tumour has spread (Mustafa et al., 2016). Surgery, radiotherapy & chemotherapy are some of the treatment options for lung cancer (Mustafa et al., 2016). Lung surgeries completely remove the lung tumour while radiation therapy and chemotherapy are a treatment option that is used to treat small-cell lung carcinoma (SCLC).
Lung cancer can be prevented through smoking prevention. It can also be prevented through smoking cessation (Mustafa et al., 2016). Nations ought to implement policies to decrease passive smoking, especially in public places. More to this, the WHO have asked governments to ban the advertisement of tobacco (Hagmann, 2002). The total ban on tobacco advertisement has shown to be effective in countries or states that have instituted the bans (Hagmann, 2002). Individuals who are more likely to suffer from lung cancer ought to undergo regular screening in order to detect cancer in advance. This will give the individual options to respond to it effectively as well as prolong his or her life.
Current research studies have discovered a combination of medications that can effectively treat lung cancer. There are new treatment options for lung cancer, and some of the treatment options developed by various researchers have shown promising efficacy for the treatment of lung cancer. However, there is growing need for research to investigate the effectiveness of newer radiotherapy techniques, like stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR), in the staging and in the treatment of lung cancer.
In her article "Lung cancer: a case study," Anna Steward presents a case an individual suffering from lung cancer. Stewart notes the name of the patient as DH. DH was aged 70 year when she was diagnosed with small cell lung carcinoma on August, 2007 (Stewart, 2009). Her primary care physician treated her with Carboplatin and Etoposide (VP16), but the treatment did not work. She was subsequently treated with Carboplatin and Taxol. Plans were also made to subject her to radiation therapy. She was administered with dosing of 5,580 centigray (cGy) and 31 fractions (Stewart, 2009).
After the treatment, DH became relatively stable. She was removed from the chemotherapy and radiation therapy but was to undergo routine medical check-ups to monitor her condition. DH had colonoscopy and endoscopy at a local hospital on March 30, 2009 (Stewart, 2009). The colonoscopy was positive for deverticuli. The patient was returned to her physician to have an area in the abdomen removed and biopsied. The laboratory value showed DH to be stable with Haemoglobin (Hgb) of 12.6, and Haematocrit (Hct) 39.1 (Stewart, 2009). The count of her white blood cells also improved. DH’s physician explained to her and her husband the possibility of further chemotherapies and radiation therapies. DH and her husband agreed to the plan.
Lung cancer is prevalent across the world, and the disease has a high mortality rate. Smoking is the leading risk factor. People should avoid smoking and reduce air pollution in order to prevent lung cancer. Early detection has better outcomes.
References
Darby, S., Hill, D., Auvinen, A., Barros-Dios, J., Baysson, H., Bochicchio, F., & Heid, I. (2005). Radon in homes and risk of lung cancer: collaborative analysis of individual data from 13 European case-control studies. BMJ, 330 (7485), 223. Retrieved from: https://www.bmj.com/content/330/7485/223?ecoll . Accessed September 29, 2019.
Mustafa, M., JamalulAziz, A., Illza, E., Nazirah, A., Sharifa, A., & Abbas, S. (2016). Lung cancer: Risk factors, management, and prognosis. IOSR Journal of Dental and Medical Sciences, Vol. 15 (10); 94-101. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Nazirah_Azizan/publication/309447095_Lung_Cancer_Risk_Factors_Management_And_Prognosis/links/581fd4be08aea429b299156c/Lung-Cancer-Risk-Factors-Management-And-Prognosis.pdf . Accessed September 29, 2019.
Stewart, A. (2009). Lung cancer: a case study. RN Journal. Retrieved from: https://rn-journal.com/journal-of-nursing/lung-cancer-a-case-study . Accessed September 29, 2019.
