Being diagnosed or at risk of pneumonic carcinoma, a serious lung illness, can be overwhelming and worrisome. This detailed guide will help patients through their challenging journeys by offering clarity and understanding regarding stages, causes, and treatment options for carcinoma in the lungs, along with shedding light on its connection to other pulmonary diseases. Here is all the information, support, and help required to navigate the complexities of this illness.
Pneumonic (pulmonary) carcinoma can be of two types (small cell carcinoma and non-small carcinoma), each with its stages. Doctors often adapt their treatment plans based on the specific stage and characteristics of the carcinoma to ensure their patients’ well-being.
In the case of small cell carcinoma, you can either be in the limited or extensive stage. Only one of the lungs is affected in the limited stage; in the extensive stage, it spreads to parts of your chest. In the case of non-small cell carcinoma, there can be stages ranging from 0 to 4, with the intensity increasing with the stage.
This type of carcinoma is mainly caused by people who have a habit of smoking. Just in the United States, 80 to 90% of deaths related to lung carcinoma are caused due to smoking. The smoke contains different chemicals, most of which can give you carcinogenic illnesses- a common example being tar.
Passive smoking in the form of secondhand smoke can also cause this lung illness. This happens if you are exposed to smoke emerging from smokers around you. If you breathe this smoke in, it is like inhaling the actual cigarette smoke.
Radon poisoning is the second most important cause of this type of carcinoma after smoking. Radon is a gas that occurs naturally and is found in rocks, water, soil, etc. However, it can seep through cracks and holes inside houses and indoor settings and mix in with the air. People exposed to this environment over more extended periods have an increased risk of getting lung disease.
About 1 in 15 homes in the US have high radon levels. So, it would help if you took critical care to protect your homes and surroundings from radon.
Exposure to the risk factors for long periods can cause changes in the DNA of cells in the breathing system. These changed genes, affected possibly by the harmful cells, can pass on to your children, putting them at risk for a similar pneumonic disease.
However, such type of “inherited” carcinoma is rare. Still, the chances are significantly increased if other risk factors like smoking and exposure to radon-related environments are involved. Hence, critical care must be taken if such lung diseases run in your family.
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is known to increase the risk of carcinoma of the intestines, testicles, and leukemia, but its contribution to developing cancer in your lungs is not known. Moreover, it must be noted that even in the illnesses mentioned above, CF is not the only factor that leads to it.
Due to the increase in the average life of patients with CF, there is now a greater chance of them being diagnosed with lung carcinoma due to the age dynamics coming into play. This would mean more complications in a patient’s medical condition as multiple organs are involved.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and lung carcinoma are two leading disorders of the lungs that cause death. The common cause of both illnesses is smoking. These ailments can be dangerous for a patient if they are suffering from both conditions simultaneously, and you need to assemble an exceptional care team of doctors to help address your condition.
Moreover, COPD can even cause lung carcinoma due to its obstructive nature and the constant stress it puts on the system.
Some infections, like Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD), cause damage to the lungs, leading to stiffness in the organ. This makes it challenging for oxygen to reach the blood, harming the pneumonic system. This can worsen your lung conditions and increase the risk of lung carcinoma.
However, as with other disorders, the ILD is not the only factor contributing to it. It works with many other factors like cigarette smoke, exposure to radon and genetics, etc., for the carcinoma to develop.
If you are at high risk for carcinoma of the lungs and experience symptoms like persistent cough etc., you must go see a doctor. A test called the low-dose CT scan is done to examine the areas of the lungs for any damage. This may be done regularly if you are at risk of developing the illness.
Although this early detection can be useful for a patient, the scan has risks like radiation exposure. These radiations are in low amounts, but repeated exposure can be harmful.
Sometimes the detection of the illness is not possible by a CT scan or a chest x-ray. In this case, you might need some other tests. A PET scan allows doctors to see areas of higher radioactivity than a CT scan. However, it is mainly used along with the CT scan. A doctor can also use MRI or bone scans to screen for areas of damage.
Some tests other than the screening tests need to be run for a specific illness diagnosis. These tests use the cells in the lungs and monitor them under a microscope. These include sputum cytology, thoracentesis, and biopsies. Ultrasounds must be done to see the spread of the carcinogenic cells in the chest.
Other useful tests are the Pulmonary Function Tests. These are different tests that, in addition to being useful for other pulmonary illnesses, can be carried out for carcinoma in the lungs.
Treatment for small-cell and non-small-cell carcinomas is different. Pulmonary medicine may be used along with surgeries.
Small cell carcinoma can be treated with radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Non-small cell carcinoma is treated using a variety of methods, with the most common being surgery, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, and chemotherapy. These treatments can be offered in different combinations. If the lungs are beyond repair, a lung transplant may be needed.
Being diagnosed with this illness can be a significant moment in your life. Hence you need to keep a calm head and ask yourself critical questions like “Who is the best pulmonologist near me?”, “What tests will a pulmonologist do?” and “What to expect when seeing a pulmonologist?”. Our resources are available to help you do your research as you proceed to navigate this complicated phase of your life.
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