Lung cancer: signs, symptoms, stages and treatment. Lung cancer symptoms in adults without fever Primary symptoms of lung cancer

We're talking about lung cancer. This disease is the most dangerous, as it gives the highest mortality rate today. Detecting symptoms at an early stage increases the chances of cure significantly. It is for this reason that it is important to familiarize yourself with the material below.

Lung cancer is a malignant tumor that arises from cells. It is the right lung that is affected in most cases. This cancer takes a long time to develop. A lung tumor metastasizes to other organs and parts of the body, which poses a danger to human health and life.

Many experts agree that the impetus for the occurrence of lung tumors is the following reasons:

• genetics;
• carcinogens;
• smoking.

Diagnostics

The following types of diagnostics are aimed at detecting cancer in various stages of its development. These methods are the most effective today.

Fluorography

A type of x-ray that helps identify disease. The resulting image shows darkened areas, which indicate disturbances in the structure of the lung tissue.

It is impossible to diagnose lung cancer with 100% certainty based on the images taken; for this reason, the doctor prescribes additional diagnostic measures.

This method has its advantages:

• the accuracy of the data obtained cannot be affected by the patient’s gender;
• this equipment is available in every clinic due to its low cost;
• There is no need to prepare in advance for fluorography; it is enough to pass preliminary tests and begin the examination;
• the patient receives minimal radiation during the procedure, making it safe for pregnant women, the elderly and children.

Fluorography has one drawback - the duration of the procedure. The procedure takes up to 60 seconds, which turns out to be a big problem with sick people and children.

Computed tomography (CT)

Today, there are tests that accurately detect malignant tumors in the lungs. The most effective of them is CT. The essence of the procedure is that The lungs are filmed from different angles, resulting in a three-dimensional image. In this photograph, you can easily distinguish the absence or presence of oncology.

After undergoing a CT scan, the results of the doctor’s report will be known within 30 minutes. It is worth noting that computed tomography is absolutely safe for the patient’s health. The power of the radioactive beam is too low to harm healthy human cells.

It must be remembered that before starting the CT scan you should not eat for three hours.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Allows you to determine the location of the tumor with high probability. This method involves the use of the phenomenon of magnetism, and all obtained research data is displayed on a computer monitor. The process is somewhat similar to CT. It also has no harmful effects on the patient's health and is very accurate.

However, compared to computed tomography, MRI provides more detailed data and a high-resolution image of the tumor, so changes in tissue structure can be noticed even at the earliest stages.

MRI procedures are contraindicated for people who have metal implants in their bodies.

Bronchoscopy

This diagnostic method is mandatory. During examination a thin instrument equipped with a video camera at the end is inserted between the bronchi and trachea. Bronchoscopy makes it possible to assess visual changes occurring in the bronchi. You can also subsequently take a small tissue sample for laboratory testing at the doctor's discretion.

It is worth emphasizing that examination of a tissue sample is mandatory to make an accurate diagnosis of the disease. Modern bronchoscopic equipment can display the image on a monitor and magnify it several times.

This diagnostic method is highly effective, allowing you to detect central lung cancer with 98% probability.

Biopsy and histological studies

A procedure in which a small piece of lung tissue is removed for laboratory testing using a special needle is called a biopsy. Doctors resort to this method in cases where all previous procedures do not represent the complete clinical picture of the disease. After obtaining the tissue using a needle, it is sent for special histological procedures.

Cytology

Allows you to detect a tumor at the very initial stage of development. This becomes real with a detailed examination of sputum in special laboratory conditions, using medical devices.

It is worth noting that such studies will be most effective only if the tumor has affected the central compartment of the lungs. This procedure is one of the most accessible today.

However, this event has its drawbacks. In the case of the formation of malignant tumors of the respiratory tract, unhealthy cells are not always found in the sputum. Moreover, sometimes research can be false, since even healthy cells can change when inflammatory processes occur in the human body.

Thoracentesis

This is not carried out in all cases. Under circumstances when the disease affects the pleura (tissue lining the lungs), only in this case is thoracentesis prescribed. These tumors lead to the formation of a liquid substance between the chest cavity and the lungs.

This procedure involves taking a small sample of lung tissue using special medical equipment. Through medical examination of tissues, an accurate diagnosis can be made and the presence of cancer cells can be detected.

Blood analysis

This technique is able to provide the doctor with a clear clinical picture of the disease, only at the stage when the cancer has metastasized. In this case, there is an increase in leukocytosis.

The collected blood sample undergoes a biochemical analysis, which can reveal a very low concentration of albumin. At the same time, alpha-2 levels and calcium levels increase significantly.

A blood test can be called a fairly simple procedure that does not require prior preparation.

Differential diagnosis

In half of the people who died from an undiagnosed cancer, the medical Chronic pneumonia is recorded on the card. Many doctors have made such fatal mistakes in the past due to the similarity of the symptoms of the disease.

During differential diagnosis, all possible diseases are gradually excluded and a single correct diagnosis is made. Using this method, it is easy to detect the manifestation of a lung tumor when the patient’s body is affected by pneumonia or tuberculosis.

A prescribed course of antibiotics leads to temporary relief of the symptoms of pneumonia. Immediately after the course, radiographs show that in 25% of patients the patency of the affected bronchus is partially restored. The foci of inflammatory processes near it also decrease.

When identifying a disease, they resort to using the method of radiation diagnostics:

• fluorography;
• radiography;
• targeted radiography.

After this, the doctor carefully examines the nature of the changes. X-rays show clear edges of the tumor. In later stages, tumors have edges with processes. After taking antibiotics, the tumor node does not change in size.

The doctor pays attention specifically to the clear contours of the tumor, which can sometimes take on a bizarre shape. It is differential diagnosis that helps to make an accurate diagnosis of the patient and distinguish pneumonia from cancer.

Self-diagnosis, what should you pay attention to?

Initial symptoms have the following signs:

1. Recurrent hemoptysis observed in 50% of people. Saliva and sputum contain red streaks. In rare cases, the substance becomes completely red. Sputum that takes on the consistency of raspberry jelly is typical in the later stages of the disease.
2. The occurrence of pain in the chest of varying intensity and location bother 60% of patients. It is typical that every 10th cancer patient feels pain from the back.
3. Coughing attacks occur in 90% of patients. It occurs reflexively, in response to bronchial obstruction. Initially, the cough is dry, but in subsequent stages it becomes wet, with sputum and purulent impurities. The intensity of sputum production depends on the stage of the disease.
4. Shortness of breath increases according to the degree of bronchial damage. This effect is due to compression of the blood vessels by the tumor. Occurs in 40% of patients.

As cancer progresses, the following symptoms may occur:

• periodic bone pain of increasing nature;
• dizziness and other neurological symptoms;
• weakness in the lower and upper extremities;
• the appearance of yellowness in the whites of the eyes and face.

All of the above symptoms are characteristic of lung cancer. It is not difficult to identify them using self-diagnosis at home.

The following video talks about lung cancer screening as a modern form of early diagnosis:

Oncological diseases of the respiratory system are among the most common. They are most often observed in people over 50 years of age. Pathological processes develop in the lungs in the peripheral parts, right, left, and center. The symptoms of its development depend on the location and stage of the disease.

The survival prognosis also depends on the form of tumor progression. At the first alarming symptoms, you should consult a doctor so that the disease does not spread further.

• Show all

  Symptoms and stages of development of pathology

  There are 2 forms of the disease: peripheral and central. Peripheral lung cancer does not have pronounced symptoms; they begin to appear only at the last stage. The central form involves damage to the lungs in places where nerve endings are concentrated, which is expressed in the appearance of the first signs:

  • cough;
  • chest pain;
  • difficulty breathing;
  • hemoptysis.

  Symptoms of a malignant tumor appear depending on the phase of its development. The process of pathology progression takes place in 3 stages:

  1. 1. Biological- Some time passes between the appearance of a tumor and the appearance of the first signs.
  2. 2. Asymptomatic course of the disease- there are no external symptoms, pathological changes are visible only on an x-ray.
  3. 3. Clinical- characterized by the appearance of obvious signs of pathology.

  Lung cancer in the picture

  There are no external symptoms of the disease in the first and second stages. Even when the pathology develops to such an extent that it becomes visible on an x-ray (pictured), the person does not feel any special changes in his or her health, and there is no increase in temperature, despite the fact that the process has already started. Doctors explain this as follows: there are no nerve nodes in the organs of the respiratory system. Painful sensations occur only in advanced forms of the pathology. That is why diagnosing the disease at an early stage is almost impossible.

  

  First signs

  At the second and third stages of oncology development, the first signs appear. They can be mistaken for manifestations of chronic pulmonary diseases.

  Nonspecific symptoms of lung cancer in adults include:

  • weight loss;
  • lethargy;
  • loss of appetite;
  • decreased performance;
  • pale skin.

  As the cancer develops, symptoms become similar to those of bronchitis, pneumonia and the common cold. The disease occurs with a temperature of up to 37-38 degrees. The patient becomes restless, hyperthermia lasts for a long time. A person begins to take antipyretic medications or traditional medicine. The fever subsides for a couple of days and then returns again.

  The patient begins to feel a decrease in vitality and feels tired. All work and labor matters are carried out through force. It is possible that depression and loss of interest in the world around you and your favorite activities may occur. Added to all this is apathy and lethargy.

  Characteristic signs of pathology begin to develop at the last stage. The progression of the disease is indicated by extrapulmonary symptoms that arise due to metastasis. Such manifestations include:

  • back pain;
  • kidney diseases;
  • digestive tract disorders.

  

  Cough as a sign of cancer

  This symptom may bother the patient extremely rarely, but then it intensifies and becomes paroxysmal. Cough with lung cancer occurs:

  • short, frequent;
  • strong, rolling attacks, leading the patient to fainting;
  • dry, and when a person coughs, there is no relief.

  Cough may not be observed in the peripheral form of the pathology. If it is present and does not go away for more than a month, the cause is lung cancer.

  

  Discharge of blood and sputum

  If sputum is released when you cough, this may be a sign of the pathology in question. This is mucus that accumulates in the last stage of the disease in quantities of up to 1/5 liter per day. Discharge in an advanced stage of oncology looks like a purulent-mucous mixture of bright red color with a jelly-like consistency.

  There may be wheezing in the hemoptysis and lungs. Blood may be speckled or appear as pink foam. A cough characterized by the discharge of blood is often classified as an infectious disease, such as tuberculosis. But this is a symptom of oncology.

  To identify the exact cause of coughing up blood, a procedure called bronchoscopy is prescribed. If the diagnosis is confirmed, then such a symptom does not leave the patient throughout his life.

  In the advanced stage of the disease, pulmonary hemorrhage is possible. The cancer patient will spit out blood that fills the entire oral cavity. In this case, urgent medical attention is required.

  Pain due to cancer

  Painful sensations from cancerous tumors do not always occur at the site of their appearance. When the intercostal nerves are involved in the process, the discomfort is especially severe and is not eliminated by painkillers. There are three types of pain:

  • encircling;
  • piercing;
  • cutting.

  Cancer metastases occur during the pre-death period. Unhealthy cells are carried throughout the body through the blood, so a person feels pain in the following places:

  • lower limbs;
  • back;
  • hands;
  • digestive organs;
  • shoulders.

  When pain appears, changes occur in a person’s appearance: the face becomes gray, yellowing of the proteins and skin is observed. Large areas of swelling may occur and the neck and face may appear swollen. Pigment spots appear in the chest area, which hurt when touched.

Unfortunately, today cancer is not uncommon. Quite a large number of people suffer from malignant tumors. One of the most common is considered to be. At an early stage, the symptoms already become pronounced, although many people do not pay due attention to them. And in vain, because the neoplasm can be defeated. Well, we should talk about this in more detail.

Important information

What is the first thing you should say about lung cancer at an early stage? Many people do not perceive the symptoms of this disease as something scary or unusual. In general, oncological lesions of this organ are very rarely detected randomly (for example, after fluorography). Only 1/5 of all cases were detected through this procedure.

It is also worth remembering that many symptoms are, in fact, similar to other pathologies not related to oncology. They are often similar to those that accompany a person with tuberculosis, during acute infectious diseases (or chronic), bronchial asthma, pneumonia or even pleurisy. So if a person feels strange, then complaints alone will not be enough. But how to detect lung cancer at an early stage? CT (computed tomography) is the way out. The procedure is expensive, but it is better than any x-ray. Sometimes a tumor can be detected by examining fluid from the pleural cavity. But today CT is the safest and most effective method.

Cough is a reason to worry

Indeed, often it can be a kind of “beacon”. A cough always accompanies early stage lung cancer. The symptoms are different, but this is the main one. So, the cough is usually frequent and very debilitating. Accompanied by sputum of an unpleasant yellow-green color. If a person is in the cold for a long time or engaged in physical labor, then the amount of these waste secretions increases.

There may also be blood discharge when coughing. They usually have a scarlet or pink tint. Clots are often visible in the sputum. Even when a person coughs, he feels severe pain both in the throat and in the chest area. This is often a symptom of a strong virus, the flu, for example, but if there are other suspicions and signs, you should not ignore it. In addition to coughing, there is shortness of breath and wheezing. These are all also symptoms of lung cancer at an early stage.

Pain and other sensations

Oncology can also be accompanied by excessively rapid fatigue, apathy and eternal fatigue. Significant weight loss is often observed. These lungs at an early stage are a warning sign. It is necessary to listen to this if a person, with the same diet, suddenly began to lose weight.

General malaise is also one of the signs of the disease. An increase in body temperature that is not associated with viral diseases is also often observed. Often a person’s voice also changes. Hoarseness appears - this is due to the fact that the tumor affects the nerve that controls the larynx. By the way, if we talk about how to recognize lung cancer at an early stage, then, perhaps, the main answer here is the following - listen specifically to breathing. It is important. In the initial stages, a person has to make a lot of effort to breathe fully. This is due to the fact that the tumor is an obstacle to the usual air flow.

Weakness

Pain in the shoulder area can often occur. If the neoplasm has affected the nerve endings, then sensations will appear from the affected organ. Swallowing function is also impaired - also a common sign by which lung cancer can be recognized at an early stage. Symptoms of this kind appear when the tumor enters the walls of the esophagus. In this case, the airways are simply blocked.

And of course, muscle weakness. Many people take it for granted - maybe it was due to heavy work or there was an excessive force load. But often this is an alarming signal that you need to pay attention to.

What can cause cancer?

This topic also needs to be noted with attention when talking about how to recognize lung cancer at an early stage, the photo of which is provided above. In fact, there can be a lot of reasons. The most common is, of course, smoking. But it is not only because of this that a malignant neoplasm appears. There are two factors - constant (unchangeable) and modifiable (that is, changing). And a person cannot change the first of these in any way. Firstly, this is the person’s age - more than 50 years. Secondly, genetic factors (conditioning). Thirdly, environmental pollution. Severe disruptions in the functioning of the endocrine system (especially in women) and the presence of chronic lung diseases (pneumonia, etc.) can also affect this. Due to these ailments, the lung tissue is deformed and scars appear on it. This often becomes an excellent breeding ground for cancer.

As for smoking... Hundreds of scientists are developing this topic, they talk about it in all the media, and all over the world they are trying to solve this problem so that as few people as possible buy cigarettes and other tobacco products. We can talk about the dangers of smoking and tobacco addiction forever. But the fact remains that in the process of absorbing tobacco smoke, harmful carcinogenic substances enter the lungs, settling on the living soft pink epithelium, which over time becomes a dead, scorched, blue-black surface.

Oncology degrees

So, how to detect lung cancer at an early stage at home? The answer is simple - no way. If even fluorography reveals a malignant neoplasm in only 20% of cases, then what can we say about “folk” methods.

The first stage of oncology is a small tumor, the size of which is a maximum of three centimeters. Or is it a completely “screening out” from the main tumor of another organ. It is extremely difficult to detect it - only through computed tomography, which was mentioned at the very beginning.

The second stage is when the tumor is more than 3 centimeters and blocks the bronchus. The neoplasm can grow into the pleura. At the third stage, the tumor spreads to nearby structures. Atelectasis of the entire lung appears. And the fourth stage is when the tumor grows into nearby organs. This is the heart, large vessels. Metastatic pleurisy may occur. Unfortunately, the forecasts in this case are disappointing.

Is it really possible to cure?

This question arises for all people who have discovered cancer. All of them, regardless of the stage, hope for a positive outcome. Well, everything is possible in this life! There are people who claim that they managed to overcome cancer, and it has receded. Of course, the prognosis will be much more positive if the stage is early. This form is amenable to chemotherapy and radiation treatment. And in general, the percentage of recoveries in such cases is very high. But unfortunately, if you catch it in the final stages, it may not be easy for the patient. In these cases, the survival rate is 10%.

Prevention

So, when talking about how to recognize lung cancer at an early stage in adults, it is impossible not to touch on the topic of prevention. It is very important because it helps fight the disease. Well, the most important thing is to quit smoking, follow a special diet and, of course, quit your job if it requires you to be present in a place where there is a high content of harmful substances.

It is worth giving up spicy, fatty and fried foods and instead eating high-fiber foods, lean fish and always white meat. It would be a good idea to include dried fruits, nuts, cereals and natural, real chocolate in your diet.

Medical measures are extremely important. These are routine examinations and treatment. If the patient is at particular risk, he is sometimes prescribed special drugs that replace tobacco. Due to this, the need for smoking is reduced to a minimum, but the dose of harmful nicotine is replaced by medical nicotine. Gradually, step by step, following all the recommendations and not neglecting your health, you can get better and start enjoying life again.

Content

Growing rapidly, this terrible disease destroys the lives of men and women. The appearance of bright signs only in the later stages of its development reduces the patient’s chances of recovery. It is important to know the symptoms of cancer so that treatment can begin earlier.

The first signs of lung cancer

The disease develops covertly for a long time. The tumor begins to form in the glands and mucous membrane, but metastases grow very quickly throughout the body. Risk factors for the occurrence of malignant neoplasms are:

• air pollution;
• smoking;
• viral infections;
• hereditary causes;
• harmful production conditions.

Signs of the disease at first do not cause concern - they are similar to inflammation of the respiratory system. Symptoms of early stage lung cancer include:

• fatigue;
• decreased appetite;
• dry cough;
• slight weight loss;
• fatigue;
• temperature increase;
• sweating;
• decline in performance;
• unpleasant odor when breathing.

This organ has a peculiarity - there are no nerve endings, when exposed to which pain is likely to appear - at the beginning of the disease it is not observed. The difficulty of diagnosing this period is due to:

• location of the tumor under the bone tissue;
• similarity in the density of healthy and diseased cells;
• the absence of visible lymph nodes signaling a problem.

Lung cancer stage 4 - symptoms before death

The tumor can grow at high speed and be fatal within a year. The reason lies in the absence of specific signs in the early stages of the disease, when treatment is possible. If stage 4 lung cancer is observed, the symptoms before death are very pronounced. The period is characterized by:

• cough at night;
• depression;
• chronic drowsiness;
• lack of appetite;
• severe weight loss;
• apathy;
• rave;
• lack of concentration;
• purulent sputum with blood;
• problems with swallowing;
• swelling of the legs;
• severe headaches.

How does stage 4 lung cancer manifest? Its symptoms depend on the extent of metastases. The adult patient becomes frail and extremely emaciated. Signs of last stage lung cancer that lead to death are determined:

• venous spots on the legs;
• pulmonary hemorrhage;
• unbearable chest pain;
• suffocation;
• loss of vision;
• cerebral hemorrhages;
• thready pulse.

Symptoms at different stages

How to recognize lung cancer? The process of disease development is usually divided into 4 stages, which have their own characteristics. At the first stage, lung cancer - the symptoms and signs of which are mild in the initial stages - is concentrated in one place. The neoplasm is small in size - less than 3 cm, there are no metastases, the following characteristic manifestations are:

• dry cough;
• weakness;
• loss of appetite;
• malaise;
• temperature increase;
• headache.

At the second stage, the symptoms of lung cancer are more pronounced, which is associated with the growth of the size of the tumor, its pressure on neighboring organs, and the appearance of the first metastases in the lymph nodes. The disease manifests itself:

• hemoptysis;
• wheezing when breathing;
• weight loss;
• elevated temperature;
• increased cough;
• chest pain;
• weakness.

At stage 3, the symptoms are more smoothed out, this differs from the fourth stage, which is accompanied by unbearable pain and ends in death. The tumor is widespread, the metastases are extensive, the symptoms are more intense than in the second stage. Signs of cancer appear:

• increased wet cough;
• blood, pus in sputum;
• difficulty breathing;
• dyspnea;
• problems with swallowing;
• hemoptysis;
• sudden weight loss;
• epilepsy, speech impairment, in the small cell form;
• intense pain.

Hemoptysis

Due to the destruction of the mucous membrane of the bronchi, damage to the blood vessels by the tumor, pieces of tissue begin to separate. Hemoptysis in lung cancer is characterized by the appearance of:

• large clots with a bright red color;
• individual small streaks of blood;
• jelly-like form of raspberry color;
• pulmonary hemorrhage - which will quickly lead to death.

Sputum

The discharge looks like thick, clear mucus that is difficult to clear when this symptom first appears. As the tumor develops, the sputum in lung cancer changes. She may be:

• foamy, streaked with blood - with swelling;
• bright scarlet – accompanies the destruction of blood vessels;
• with pus – with the development of complications;
• similar to raspberry jelly - accompanies tissue decomposition.

Cough - what is it like?

This characteristic sign of the disease is a response to irritation of receptors by an enlarging tumor. There is no such thing as lung cancer without a cough, but its manifestation changes as the tumor develops:

• at first - causeless, dry, prolonged, causing breathing difficulties;
• then - with the addition of sputum - viscous or liquid mucus;
• further – the appearance of pus and blood in the discharge.

Pain

Since there are no nerve endings in the organ, the answer to the question - do lungs hurt with cancer? - will be negative. It all starts with tumor metastases to neighboring organs. The pain occurs due to compression of the nerve endings in them, can intensify with tension, inhalation, and have the following character:

• pricking;
• with burning;
• compressive;
• with numbness;
• blunt;
• encircling;
• spicy;
• local.

Symptoms of lung cancer in men

Since men are at risk, the disease is more often diagnosed in them. When cancer begins, the symptoms and early signs are blurred. Everything unfolds with the appearance of a prolonged, causeless cough. Signs of lung cancer in men begin to rapidly intensify and include:

• hoarseness of voice;
• dyspnea;
• decreased vitality;
• whistling when breathing;
• swelling of the face;
• heart rhythm disturbance;
• difficulty swallowing;
• enlarged axillary lymph nodes;
• depression;
• dizziness;
• pain when inhaling;
• headache;
• fatigue.

Among women

The difference from the disease in men is that the first symptoms of lung cancer in women - the urge to cough - begin earlier. They are also absent in the early stages. Symptoms begin with a dry cough, gradually turning into a wet cough with mucous discharge. Cancer is suspected when:

How to Diagnose Lung Cancer

For early diagnosis of diseases, the adult population is required to undergo a fluorographic examination every two years. When darkening is detected, additional procedures are performed to distinguish between oncology and tuberculosis. How to diagnose lung cancer? There are several methods:

• x-ray – the very first, accessible and informative at an early stage;
• computed tomography - determines the size and position of the tumor, helps to see metastases far from the site of the disease.

When X-rays are contraindicated for a patient, an MRI is prescribed. During the examination, small tumors are identified and the size of the internal lymph nodes is determined.

Signs of cancer are clarified with additional studies:

• blood test for tumor markers;
• bronchoscopy – detects disturbances in the lumens of the bronchi, has the ability to take material for a biopsy, determines the presence of a tumor;
• Tissue biopsy is an accurate method for detecting oncology, but after such an intervention, the growth of cancer cells is likely to accelerate.

Video

Attention! The information presented in the article is for informational purposes only. The materials in the article do not encourage self-treatment. Only a qualified doctor can make a diagnosis and give treatment recommendations based on the individual characteristics of a particular patient.

Lung cancer is a serious disease that develops mostly from the tissues of the bronchi, as well as the bronchial glands, and affects the human lungs.

Mostly men who smoke are susceptible to it (according to various statistical studies - 80-90%), while the lion's share of cases are people from 45 to 80 years old, but lung cancer can also occur in young people.

Note: Cancer cells that attack the lungs divide very quickly, spreading the tumor throughout the body and destroying other organs. Therefore, timely diagnosis of the disease is important. The earlier lung cancer is detected and its treatment is started, the higher the chance of extending the patient’s life.

In sixty percent of cases, pathology develops in the upper part of the lungs. Most likely, this is due to the fact that it is in this department that tobacco smoke and air containing carcinogenic substances linger the longest.

Cancer originating from the bronchus is called central, and cancer from lung tissue is called peripheral. In 80% of cases, the disease forms in the central zone and hilum of the lung.

Central (hilar) cancer is divided into:

• endobronchial;
• peribronchial.

At an early stage, the tumor looks like a polyp or plaque. Then it can grow in different ways. There is also a mediastinal type, which is characterized by a small tumor and rapid growth.

Depending on the histological changes, our country has adopted a classification that distinguishes:

• non-small cell lung cancer;
• small cell forms.

Non-small cell lung cancer

This is one of the most common forms of malignant pulmonary tumor; it is characterized by the following subtypes:

• Squamous cell carcinoma- degenerated cells of the epithelial tissue lining the bronchi. It spreads slowly, is easy to diagnose, and has a good prognosis for treatment.
• Adenocarcinoma– a type of cancer whose cells are formed from the glandular tissue of the small bronchi. The tumor metastasizes into the tissue of the contralateral lung, forming new foci in the immediate vicinity of the primary node. More often characteristic of women, it is practically unaffected by smoking, and grows to enormous sizes. It looks like a grayish-white nodule, in the center there is sclerotic tissue, lobules are visible in the tumor. Sometimes the neoplasm is covered with mucus, there are noticeable foci of wet necrosis, and bleeding from the vessels. Adenocarcinoma manifests itself with bronchial symptoms – atelectasis and bronchopneumonia.
• Large cell carcinoma- abnormally huge anaplastic cells, the growth of which is usually noticeable in the central part of the bronchial tree. The tumor is aggressive and does not have a typical clinical picture. At a later stage, a cough occurs with sputum streaked with blood. The patients are exhausted. Histological sections show necrosis and hemorrhages.
• Mixed forms– tumors in which cells of several types of cancer are present. Symptoms of the disease and prognosis depend on the combination of types of neoplasms and the degree of predominance of certain cells

This is one of the most aggressive types of cancer. Outwardly it resembles a soft light yellow infiltrate interspersed with foci of necrosis; the cells resemble oat grains. It is characterized by rapid growth and the formation of regional and distant metastases. 99% of patients with this form are smokers.

As is known, the histological picture of one tumor site may differ from another. Accurate diagnosis of a tumor allows you to make a prognosis for the development of the disease and select the most effective treatment regimen.

Stages of lung cancer

Modern medicine distinguishes several stages of the disease

Causes and factors of lung cancer

The main cause of oncology of any organ is DNA damage to cells that occurs due to the influence of various factors on them.

If we talk about lung cancer, the causes of its occurrence may be:

• work in hazardous production;
• inhalation of harmful substances.

Most often, this disease is observed in workers in the following professions:

• steelworkers;
• miners;
• woodworkers;
• metallurgists;
• in the production of ceramics, phosphates and asbestos cement.

The main causes of lung cancer formation:

• Inhalation of carcinogens found in cigarette smoke. The likelihood of developing the disease increases significantly when smoking more than 40 cigarettes per day.
• Poor environmental conditions. This is especially true in areas where processing and mining enterprises are located.
• Exposure to radiation.
• Contact with substances that provoke the occurrence of the disease.
• , frequent

Signs and symptoms of pulmonary cancer

Most often, at the initial stage, the disease practically does not manifest itself outwardly, and a person turns to specialists when it is no longer possible to help him with anything.

Main symptoms of lung cancer:

• chest pain;
• shortness of breath;
• cough that does not go away for a long time;
• weight loss;
• blood in sputum.

However, these manifestations do not always indicate the presence of oncology. They can mean a host of other diseases. Therefore, cancer diagnosis in most cases is delayed.

In addition to the above symptoms, lung cancer clearly manifests:

• lack of interest in life;
• lethargy;
• very low activity;
• elevated temperature for a long period of time.

It is important to understand that this disease is easily disguised as bronchitis or pneumonia, so it is important to differentiate it from other diseases.

Early diagnosis offers hope for cure. The most reliable way in this case is an x-ray of the lungs. The diagnosis is clarified using endoscopic bronchography. It can be used to determine the size and location of the tumor. In addition, a cytological examination (biopsy) is required.

If the diagnosis is confirmed, treatment should be started immediately, strictly following the doctor’s instructions. You should not rely on alternative medicine and folk remedies.

Considering the fact that the onset of the disease occurs without symptoms, it makes sense to do fluorography annually. This is especially recommended for people at risk. If there is suspicion, the diagnosis is considered confirmed until the contrary is proven.

The diagnosis is confirmed using:

• transthoracic puncture;
• biopsies;
• blood test for tumor marker levels.

Trofimova Yaroslava, medical observer