Lung Cancer

The Lungs The lungs are two organs found in your chest and form part of your respiratory system. This system is responsible for your breathing. The right lung is slightly bigger than the left and contains three areas called lobes. The left lung contains two lobes. When you breathe in, air passes through your nose or mouth into your trachea (windpipe) and separates into two further tubes (bronchi). Each of these bronchi connects to a lung. The bronchi divide even further into much smaller tubes called bronchioles. Air passes through these bronchioles and into tiny air sacs called alveoli. In the alveoli, oxygen is absorbed from inhaled air into your bloodstream and is sent around your body. Oxygen is needed in every cell of your body for various activities. During these activities, the waste gas, carbon dioxide, is made. It passes back through the alveoli and leaves your body when you breathe out.

What is Lung Cancer?

When cancer develops in the lungs, the cells change and grow in an abnormal way. Many lung cancers begin in the wall of the bronchi. As the cancer grows it forms a collection of cells (tumour). This tumour can then cause a blockage and result in symptoms, for example, difficulty in breathing.

How common is Lung Cancer?

Lung cancer can occur in men and in women. In Ireland it is the fourth most common cancer. In 2005, there were 1,842 people diagnosed with it. Sadly, it is the most common cause of cancer death in Ireland.

There are two main types of primary lung cancer

• Small Cell Lung Cancer
• Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

 About 1 in 5 lung cancers are small cell; the rest are non-small cell.

Common Symptoms

The symptoms of lung cancer may include any of the following:

• Difficulty breathing
• A cough that doesn’t go away or a change in a long-term cough
• Repeated chest infections that won’t go away even after antibiotics
• Wheezing
• Feeling more tired than usual
• A hoarse voice
• Coughing up blood-stained phlegm
• Pain in your chest, especially when you cough or breathe in
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Swelling around your face and neck
• Difficulty swallowing 

What causes Lung Cancer?

Cancer Prevention and Early Detection

Treatment for Lung Cancer

The main treatments for lung cancer are:

• Surgery
• Chemotherapy
• Biological Therapy
• Radiotherapy

Your treatment will depend on the stage, grade and type of cancer cells you have. The stage looks at the size of your cancer and if it has spread from where it started. The grade of the cancer can tell if your cancer grows quickly or slowly. You can have a low, moderate or high grade cancer. There are two main types of lung cancer:

• Non-small cell lung cancer
• Small cell lung cancer

Most lung cancers are non-small cell lung cancer.

Chemotherapy and radiotherapy are the main treatments for small cell lung cancer. Surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy can all be used for non-small cell lung cancer.

The aim of surgery is to remove the part of the lung containing cancer. Surgery is possible if the tumour is found in one lung or if the lymph nodes involved are close to the lung. A lobe or a small section of the lung can be removed, or even an entire lung can be removed.

How is advanced Lung Cancer treated?

Advanced cancer means that your cancer has spread from the area where it started. If it has spread to the area around the lung, it is called local spread. It can also spread to other areas of the body including the bones and brain. This is called secondary cancer or metastatic cancer.

It is usually not possible to cure advanced cancer. Treatment is given to control the cancer and to improve your quality of life. This can be done for a long time. Treatments can involve surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and biological therapy.

You may also be seen by the palliative care team at this time. This team are there to help with any symptoms you have and to support you and your family throughout your treatment.

Recent Advances in Lung Cancer Treatment

Possible Side-effects of Treatment

Follow Up

Once your treatment is over, your doctor will want to see you for regular check-ups. This is known as follow-up. At first these check-ups will be quite often but gradually become less frequent.
The follow-up will continue for at least 5 years. At the check-up, you may have tests like a physical exam, X-rays, scans, a bronchoscopy, lung function tests or blood tests.
If you have any problems in between these appointments, contact your doctor or nurse without delay. Do tell them about your concerns and do not wait until your next appointment.