The first signs of lung cancer. Classification and treatment of lung cancer at different stages 1 symptoms of lung cancer

Lung cancer is a malignant neoplasm of epithelial origin that develops from the mucous membranes of the bronchial tree or alveolar tissue. Modern medicine is trying to find positive methods of treating this disease, but the mortality rate from this disease has reached 85% today and is one of the highest among oncological diseases.

Determining the stage of lung cancer is necessary in order to understand how widely the tumor has spread in the human body. In modern medical practice, lung cancer has 4 stages of the disease.

When determining the degree of lung cancer, it is necessary to take into account the size of the tumor, how deep its penetration into the walls of the organ, whether neighboring organs are affected and how deeply the lymph nodes are affected by metastases, the defeat of distant internal organs.

lung cancer stage 1

Early stage lung cancer the most favorable in terms of its prognostic signs and the cure of the patient. small in size and has a size up to 3 cm, which has not yet become widespread in, that is, it has not given. in the early stages, it may be located in one part of the lung or within the region of the bronchus. The initial stage of lung cancer does not metastasize. It is possible to recognize lung cancer at stage 1 only in 16% of patients.

When determining this or that method of treatment, doctors, first of all, pay their attention to the stage of the process in detail. During the course of the disease, the stage of the cancer cannot change, as it is necessary to assess the prognosis. After the course of treatment, the degree of prevalence of cancer in the body may decrease, but the stage initially established in the diagnosis rarely changes.

Recognizing grade 1 lung cancer is quite difficult, since the tumor is still so small that it practically does not make itself felt. One of the most alarming symptoms is a cough, the manifestation of which begins in the form of a sore throat, which constantly intensifies and is subsequently accompanied by sputum discharge.

At each stage of the malignant process, there are symptoms and signs of the disease, which should be paid special attention to.

Symptoms of lung cancer stage 1

Symptoms of the disease

The first symptoms of lung cancer to watch out for are:

• a cough that doesn't go away
• dyspnea
• general weakness of the body;
• deterioration or loss of appetite;
• rapid weight loss;
• sweating;
• causeless change of mood;
• development of depression;
• increase in body temperature.

I would like to note that a constant cough, shortness of breath and wheezing are the first signs of lung cancer only conditionally, since it is they that force the patient to visit a doctor. In fact, these symptoms indicate the transition of cancer to a more severe stage.

Signs of lung cancer:

• decrease in vitality;
• apathy;
• lethargy;
• causeless, periodic increase in body temperature.

The latter often makes diagnosis difficult, since cancer in this case is mistaken for chronic bronchitis or pneumonia.

Stage 1 lung cancer: diagnosis and treatment

In specialized oncology centers, diagnosis begins with a study of the medical history. The doctor is obliged to carefully study the information about what pulmonary diseases the patient has had, whether he smokes, and if yes, then how long this has been happening. In addition, it turns out the presence of oncological diseases in the patient's family.

• x-ray;
• ultrasonic examination (ultrasound);
• bronchoscopy;
• blood tests for, a detailed analysis;
• computed tomography (CT);
• sputum examination.

Treating early stage lung cancer

There are a number of basic methods that can be used alone or in conjunction with each other:

1. surgical;
2. radiation therapy;
3. chemotherapy.

The survival rate at stage 1 is 43-58%. The situation is much worse if the onset of symptoms lasts more than 9 months. In this case, about 75% of patients are difficult to treat.

lung cancer stage 2

Patients who have lung cancer stage 2 experience symptoms similar to those of a cold. At stage 2, the tumor reaches a size of more than 5 cm. In patients with stage 2, the focus of the disease can be located in one part of the lung or within the region of the bronchus. At this stage, single metastases can be observed in.

Lung affected by tumor

Often, patients do not pay attention to symptoms such as coughing, shortness of breath and self-medicate, in the hope that a protracted cold will pass with time. However, the disease does not go away, but rather the opposite. New unpleasant symptoms and pain sensations appear. This is already an alarm, and in some cases the main symptom of lung cancer.

Despite all this, stage 2 lung cancer can also be asymptomatic, so very often help in treatment is delayed.

Symptoms and manifestations of lung cancer in stage 2

Symptoms to look out for in stage 2 lung cancer:

• cough, prolonged nature, not amenable to treatment;
• pain in the chest area when taking a deep breath;
• voice change (hoarseness);
• a sharp decrease in weight and poor appetite;
• dyspnea;
• pulmonary diseases of a long-term nature (bronchitis, pneumonia), recurring at short intervals.

Despite all the above symptoms, they are not always lung cancer. Often, such symptoms are very common in smokers, or smokers with experience. But if the cancer began to progress and go beyond the lungs, then a number of the following more significant symptoms join these symptoms, such as:

• swollen lymph nodes;
• bone pain;
• change in skin color (skin becomes more yellow).

In the presence of such symptoms, you should immediately consult an oncologist.

As mentioned earlier, the main causes of lung cancer are:

1. smoking;
2. air pollution;
3. carcinogens (work with harmful substances);
4. genetic propensity;
5. lung diseases.

Diagnosis and treatment

Diagnosis of lung cancer at stage 2 consists of:

• Positron emission tomography;
• chest x-ray;
• CT and MRI;
• bronchoscopy;
• biochemical blood test.

These diagnostic methods are necessary to identify and carefully study areas in the lung tissues, determine the location and magnitude of the oncological disease.

Stage 2 lung cancer treatment

In the second stage of lung cancer, surgery is most often used. In this case, this is one of the most effective methods that allows you to remove the tumor in full, since metastases appear only at stage 3.

There are people for whom surgery is contraindicated - these are elderly people or patients with other diseases that are a direct contraindication to surgery.

Chemotherapy, which is prescribed before and after surgery, has its significant place.

There are such methods of treatment as irradiation, medication. What method to treat the patient is determined by the doctor individually.

Important! With cancer, the choice of treatment method is made in favor of saving and prolonging the life of the patient.

How long do patients live in stage 2?

According to the statistics for The 5-year milestone is experienced by 50-70% of patients.

1. In the early stages of the disease, after surgery, about 40% of patients will be able to live for 5 years.
2. When the forecast is 15% with a survival of 5 years.

lung cancer stage 3

is one of the most common causes of death in oncological diseases. The patient, having consulted a doctor in the early stages, increases the chances of his recovery, but very often the early stages are asymptomatic and only when symptoms and signs of the disease appear does the person seek medical help. Often this moment comes when the disease reaches 3 or 4 stages.

lung cancer in stage 3 reaching ever larger sizes. During this period, the tumor affects the neighboring lobe of the lung, grows into the neighboring bronchus or the main bronchus. In stage III lung cancer, metastases are found in the lymph nodes in even greater numbers.

In turn, stage 3 is divided into two substages:

• stage 3A reaches 7 cm or more in diameter, has spread to neighboring lymph nodes and organs. This size of the tumor can prevent the passage of air through the respiratory tract;
• stage 3B - a malignant neoplasm grows into the lymph nodes on the opposite side of the sternum, onto the diaphragm, mediastinum, membrane of the heart, etc.

Symptoms and signs of stage 3

Symptoms and signs of stage 3 lung cancer:

• prolonged persistent cough;
• pain in the chest, aggravated by inhalation;
• pain in the shoulder with numbness of the fingers;
• sudden weight loss and decreased appetite;
• sputum streaked with blood and pus;
• shortness of breath and fever for no apparent reason;
• recurring infections of the upper respiratory tract (bronchitis and pneumonia);
• the appearance of wheezing in the lungs;
• headaches, dizziness, impaired speech and vision.

Diagnosis and treatment of stage 3 lung cancer

Diagnosis of stage 3 lung cancer completely coincides with the methods of diagnosis in the initial stages.

Stage 3 lung cancer treatment includes methods such as:

1. chemotherapy;
2. radiation therapy;
3. surgical intervention;

The result and effectiveness of treatment depends on the severity of the disease. The main treatment for grade 3 lung cancer is chemotherapy in the preoperative period followed by surgery. The effectiveness of treatment is manifested only after 2-3 cycles of chemotherapy.

Lung cancer of the 3rd degree, how long do patients with this disease live?

• Survival is only 25% of patients.
• In small cell lung cancer, the prognosis is less than 25%.

Stage 4 lung cancer: signs and symptoms

Lung cancer is the leader among all cancers. Over the past few years, lung cancer has grown several times. The largest number of people affected by this disease lives in industrialized countries. The peculiarity of this disease is the variety of clinical forms and the tendency to rapid metastasis.

Smoking, alcohol abuse, exposure to radiation, carcinogens, are the most unfavorable factors in the progression of the disease.

lung cancer grade 4, at this stage, uncontrolled processes of the spread of malignant cells throughout the body occur. Metastases damage all organs of the human body and during this period new foci of a malignant neoplasm are formed. Metastases fall into, and other organs.

Lung cancer

The last stage of lung cancer and its clinical picture:

• severe paroxysmal cough, which is present throughout the disease;
• hemoptysis (streaks of blood are found in the sputum, then the sputum becomes a brighter color and contains pus);
• pains in the chest area increase each time and become sharper, mainly from the affected segment;
• shortness of breath progresses, angina pectoris begins to develop, heart problems appear;
• heavy bleeding from the respiratory tract.

All these symptoms are due to the fact that the main parts of the lung stop supplying oxygen to the body. Digestive disorders occur, the passage of food through the esophagus affected by metastases is difficult.

Diagnosis and treatment at 4 stages

Stage 4 lung cancer is confirmed by the following diagnostic procedures:

1. general clinical diagnostics;
2. X-ray examination of the chest;
3. cytological examination of sputum, carried out in 5-6 stages;
4. biopsy and puncture of bronchial tissues;
5. chest ultrasound;
6. percutaneous puncture of the tumor;
7. laboratory research.

Treatment of grade 4 lung cancer is based mainly on the palliative and symptomatic nature. The main task of an oncologist is to limit the spread of a malignant tumor, reduce the rate of tumor growth, preserve the functioning of organs, and prevent life-threatening complications.

The main methods of treatment:

• palliative surgery;
• hormone therapy;
• and etc.

Radiation therapy is often given to shrink the tumor and alleviate the patient's condition. In some cases, it may be supplemented with chemotherapy. With the development of pleurisy and damage to the pleura by metastases, thoracocentesis is recommended to reduce the amount of fluid in the lungs.

Also, in order to improve the methods of treating cancer in the later stages, it led to the use of new methods of treating oncology:

• chemo-radioembolization;
• the use of monoclonal antibodies;
• radiofrequency ablation;
• individual cancer vaccines.

After using the latest treatments, patients can maintain employment and communication opportunities. An important method of alleviating the patient's condition is analgesic therapy.

At the end of the course of treatment, the patient should be regularly observed by an oncologist. This is necessary for the timely detection of a possible relapse. A prerequisite is a ban on smoking.

The prognosis for stage 4 lung cancer is not very comforting. In many cases, this is fatal.

One of the leading causes of death in the world is lung cancer, the symptoms of which vary depending on the stage of the disease. The development of a cancerous tumor is promoted by both external factors and internal causes. But, regardless of the treatment, the likelihood of recovery remains low.

Lung cancer is a malignant tumor that develops from the mucous membrane and glandular tissue of the lungs and bronchi. Men are more prone to this disease than women, and it is noticed that the older the men, the higher the incidence rate. The risk group includes men with dark skin color.

Symptoms and signs

Symptoms that characterize the development of a cancerous tumor in the lungs are divided into two categories: general and specific.

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• general weakness of the body;
• deterioration or loss of appetite;
• rapid weight loss;
• sweating;
• causeless change of mood;
• development of depression;
• increase in body temperature.

• causeless cough, which can last for a certain period, exhausting the patient. The nature of the cough can gradually change, become more frequent and prolonged, and be accompanied by sputum.

Cough can appear randomly: it is enough to inhale cold air, experience prolonged physical exertion, or just walk at a brisk pace.

• dyspnea also indicates changes present in the lungs. It is associated with a narrowing of the lumen of the bronchi, a violation of their ventilation (atelectasis), developed inflammation of the lungs, a partial or significant violation of gas exchange in the lungs.

In the later stages of the disease, atelectasis (impaired ventilation) of the entire lung and its failure can occur.

• hemoptysis, which is a characteristic sign of the presence of lung cancer. The quality of spotting can be different: it can be active bleeding or dark blood clots. It depends on the stage of the disease, the form and histological features of the tumor.

In some cases, hemoptysis may indicate the development of pulmonary tuberculosis or bronchiectasis. Often, heavy and prolonged bleeding leads to death.

• chest pain, which is evidence of the germination of the tumor in the pleura, later in the bone tissue and nerve endings. This process is accompanied by characteristic unbearable pain in the chest.

With the development of some forms of lung cancer, there are no early symptoms of the disease. This significantly complicates the detection and diagnosis of the tumor in the early stages. So, reduce the chance of recovery of the patient.

Video: Unusual signs of lung cancer

Stages of lung cancer

Faced with lung cancer, many do not know how to determine the stage of the disease.
In oncology, when assessing the nature and extent of lung cancer, 4 stages of the development of the disease are classified.

However, the duration of any stage is purely individual for each patient. It depends on the size of the neoplasm and the presence of metastases, as well as on the rate of the course of the disease.

Regardless of these features, there are clear criteria by which this or that stage of the disease is determined. Moreover, the classification of lung cancer is only suitable for non-small cell cancer.

Non-small cell cancer of the left lung, as well as the right one, begins its development long before the tumor is visualized.

hidden stage. At this stage, the presence of cancer cells can only be determined after analysis of sputum or water obtained as a result of bronchoscopy.

Zero stage (0). Cancer cells are found only in the inner lining of the lung. This stage is characterized as non-invasive cancer.

First stage (1). Symptoms of stage 1 lung cancer are divided into two substages, which are characterized by distinctive features.

1A. The tumor, increasing in size (up to 3 cm), grows into the internal tissues of the lung. This formation is surrounded by healthy tissue, and the lymph nodes and bronchi are not yet affected.

1B. The tumor, increasing in size, grows deeper and deeper, without affecting the lymph nodes. In this case, the size of the cancer exceeds 3 cm and grows into the pleura or passes to the bronchi.

Second stage (2).Symptoms appear more clearly: shortness of breath, cough with blood in the sputum, breathing noises, pain syndrome.

2A. The tumor has a size of 5-7 cm, without affecting the lymph nodes, or the size remains within 5 cm, but the tumor metastasizes to the lymph nodes;

2B. The size of the tumor is within 7 cm, however, it borders on the lymph nodes, or the size remains within 5 cm, but the tumor affects the pleura, lymph nodes, and the heart membrane.

Third stage (3). Symptoms of stage 3 lung cancer are characterized by the following signs. The pleura, sternum wall, and lymph nodes are involved in the process of injury. Metastases spread to the vessels, trachea, esophagus, spinal column, heart.

3A. The tumor exceeds 7 cm, metastasizes to the lymph nodes of the mediastinum, pleura, diaphragm, or gives complications to the lymph nodes near the heart and complicates the respiratory process.

3B. Tumor cells spread to the pericardium, mediastinum, clavicle, or grow into the lymph nodes of the opposite side from the sternum.

Fourth stage (4). The terminal stage, in which severe irreversible processes occur that involve distant systems and organs. The disease takes a severe incurable form.

For small cell lung cancer, which develops rapidly and affects the body in a short time, only 2 stages of development are characteristic:

• limited stage when cancer cells are localized in one lung and tissues located in close proximity.
• extensive or extensive stage when the tumor metastasizes to an area outside the lung and to distant organs.

Metastases

Metastases are called secondary tumor nodes that spread to distant and adjacent organs and systems.

Metastases have a more detrimental effect on the body than a cancerous tumor.

Metastases spread by lymphogenous, hematogenous or implantation routes. The spread of metastases in most cases outstrips the development of the tumor itself, which significantly reduces the success of lung cancer treatment. For some forms of cancer
metastases appear in the early stages.

Metastases have certain stages of development. The initial stage involves the appearance of metastases in the immediate vicinity of the primary tumor. In the process of development, metastases move to more distant parts of the body.

The last stage of metastasis development is a danger to the patient's life, since cancerous tumors, moving, acquire new properties.

Photo: Stages of lung cancer with metastases

Treatment

Modern medicine has advanced methods for the treatment of oncological diseases, including lung cancer. The tactics of treatment is chosen by the attending physician based on the anamnesis, and subsequently on the basis of the results of the examination.

The treatment regimen includes the complex use of methods for the diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer.

It should be noted that the traditional and only reliable method of treatment that leaves hope for recovery is surgical treatment.

Surgery involves surgery to remove a cancerous tumor in its entirety or its individual segment. This method is used when non-small cell lung cancer develops.

For small cell cancer, other, more effective methods are used. At earlier stages, there is the possibility of using more gentle therapies, including radiotherapy (radiation therapy) and chemotherapy.

About what should be the diet for lung cancer chemotherapy.

Radiation therapy involves irradiating cancer cells with a powerful beam of gamma rays. As a result of this process, cancer cells die or they stop their growth and reproduction. This method is the most common for both forms of lung cancer. Radiotherapy can stop stage 3 squamous cell lung cancer, as well as small cell lung cancer.

Chemotherapy involves the use of special drugs that can stop or destroy cancerous tumor cells both at the initial and later stages.

The group of drugs includes such means as:

• "Doxorubicin";
• "5fluorouracil";
• "Metatrixate";
• "Bevacizumab".

Chemotherapy is the only therapeutic method that can prolong the life of the patient and alleviate his suffering.

Video: How to treat lung cancer

Forecast

The prognosis for the development of lung cancer directly depends on the stage of the disease and on the histological features of the cancerous tumor. However, with complete absence of treatment for two years, mortality among patients reaches 90%.

In the case of the development of small cell cancer, the prognosis is more comforting than in the case of non-small cell cancer. This is due to the high sensitivity of cancer cells of this form of tumor to treatment with chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

A favorable prognosis is possible only after treatment of stage 1 and 2 non-small cell lung cancer. At later stages, in stages 3 and 4, the disease is incurable, and the survival rate of patients is only about 10%. No wonder they say that it is easier to prevent a disease than to treat it.

Timely diagnosis of lung cancer in the early stages can cure this terrible disease.

Carcinoma is a malignant neoplasm that affects the tissues of various organs and systems. Initially, a cancerous tumor forms from the epithelium, but then quickly grows into nearby membranes.

Lung carcinoma is an oncological disease in which the tumor is formed from the cells of the bronchial mucosa, alveoli or bronchial glands. Depending on the origin, two main types of neoplasms are distinguished: pneumogenic and bronchogenic cancer. Due to the rather erased course at the initial stages of development, lung oncology is characterized by late diagnosis and, as a result, a high percentage of deaths, reaching 65-75% of the total number of patients.

Attention! Modern methods of therapy can successfully cure lung cancer at stages I-III of the disease. For this, cytostatics, radiation exposure, cytokine therapy and other medical and instrumental techniques are used.

At the same time, it is also necessary to distinguish cancerous tumors from benign ones. Often, the need to conduct a differential diagnosis of pathology leads to a delay in making an accurate diagnosis.

Characteristics of neoplasms

The symptoms of this disease can vary greatly. It depends both on the stage of tumor development, and on its origin and localization. There are several types of lung cancer. Squamous cell carcinoma is characterized by slow development and relatively non-aggressive course. Undifferentiated squamous cell carcinoma develops faster and gives large metastases. The most malignant is small cell carcinoma. Its main danger is an erased current and rapid growth. This form of oncology has the most unfavorable prognosis.

Unlike tuberculosis, which most often affects the lower lobes of the lungs, cancer in 65% of cases is localized in the upper respiratory tract. Only in 25% and 10%, carcinoma is detected in the lower and middle segments. Such an arrangement of neoplasms in this case is explained by active air exchange in the upper lobes of the lungs and the deposition on the alveolar tissue of various carcinogenic particles, dust, chemicals, etc.

Lung carcinomas are classified depending on the severity of the symptoms of the disease and distribution. There are three main phases in the development of pathology:

1. biological phase. It includes the moment from the onset of tumor formation to the appearance of its first signs on a tomogram or radiograph.
2. Asymptomatic phase. At this stage, the neoplasm can be detected using instrumental diagnostics, but the patient does not yet show clinical symptoms.
3. The clinical phase, during which the patient begins to worry about the first signs of pathology.

Attention! During the first two stages of tumor formation, the patient does not complain about a violation of well-being. During this period, it is possible to establish the diagnosis only during a preventive examination.

It is also necessary to distinguish four main stages in the development of the oncological process in the lungs:

1. Stage I: a single neoplasm does not exceed 30 mm in diameter, there are no metastases, the patient may be disturbed only by a rare cough.
2. Stage II: the neoplasm reaches 60 mm, can metastasize to the nearest lymph nodes. The patient at the same time complains of discomfort in the chest, slight shortness of breath, cough. In some cases, low-grade fever is noted due to inflammation of the lymph nodes.
3. Stage III: the diameter of the neoplasm exceeds 60 mm, while the germination of the tumor into the lumen of the main bronchus is possible. The patient experiences shortness of breath on exertion, chest pain, cough with bloody sputum.
4. Stage IV: carcinoma grows beyond the affected lung, various organs and distant lymph nodes are involved in the pathological process.

The first symptoms of lung carcinoma

For some period of time, the pathology develops hidden. The patient does not experience any specific symptoms suggestive of a lung tumor. The development of carcinoma can proceed many times faster if there are some provoking factors:

• living in ecologically unfavorable areas;
• work in hazardous industries;
• chemical vapor poisoning;
• smoking;
• genetic predisposition;
• transferred viral and bacterial infections.

Initially, the pathology manifests itself as an inflammatory disease of the respiratory system. In most cases, the patient is misdiagnosed with bronchitis. The patient complains of recurrent dry cough. Also, people in the early stages of lung cancer have the following symptoms:

• fatigue, drowsiness;
• loss of appetite;
• dry skin and mucous membranes;
• slight hyperthermia up to 37.2-37.5;
• hyperhidrosis;
• decreased performance, emotional instability;
• bad breath on exhalation.

Attention! The lung tissue itself does not have sensitive endings. Therefore, with the development of oncological disease, the patient may not experience pain for a sufficiently long period.

Symptoms of lung carcinoma

In the early stages, it is often possible to stop the spread of the tumor by radical resection. However, due to the blurring of symptoms, it is possible to identify pathology at stages I-II in a rather small percentage of cases.

The pronounced characteristic clinical manifestations of the pathology can usually be fixed when the process passes to the stage of metastasis. Manifestations of pathology can be varied and depend on three main factors:

• clinical and anatomical form of carcinoma;
• the presence of metastases in distant organs and lymph nodes;
• disturbances in the functioning of the body caused by paraneoplastic syndromes.

In the pathological anatomy of lung tumor processes, two types of tumors are distinguished: central and peripheral. Each of them has specific symptoms.

Central carcinoma is characterized by:

• wet debilitating cough;
• sputum discharge with blood inclusions;
• severe shortness of breath;
• hyperthermia, fever and chills.

With peripheral oncology, the patient has:

• soreness in the chest;
• dry unproductive cough;
• shortness of breath and wheezing in the chest;
• acute intoxication in case of decay of carcinoma.

Attention! In the initial stages of the pathology, the symptoms of peripheral and central lung cancer differ, but as the oncology progresses, the manifestations of the disease become more and more similar.

The earliest symptom of lung carcinoma is a cough. It occurs due to irritation of the nerve endings of the bronchi and the formation of excess sputum. Initially, patients have a dry cough that worsens with exertion. As the neoplasm grows, sputum appears, which is first mucous, and then purulent and bloody.

Shortness of breath occurs at a fairly early stage and appears due to excess mucus in the airways. For the same reason, patients develop stridor - strained wheezing. Percussion heard moist rales and squelching in the lungs. As the tumor grows, if it blocks the lumen of the bronchus, shortness of breath is noted even at rest and rapidly intensifies.

Pain syndrome occurs in the late stages of oncology with the germination of carcinoma in the tissues of the bronchial tree or surrounding tissues of the lungs. Also, discomfort during respiratory movements can disturb the patient due to the addition of secondary infections to the disease.

Gradually, the growth of the tumor and the spread of metastases provoke compression of the esophagus, violation of the integrity of the tissue of the ribs, vertebrae and sternum. In this case, the patient has pain in the chest and back, which is of a constant dull character. Difficulties in swallowing are noted, a burning sensation in the esophagus is possible.

Oncology of the lungs is most dangerous because of the rapid growth of metastases in large vessels and the heart. This pathology leads to angina attacks, intense cardiac dyspnea, impaired blood flow in the body. During examination, the patient has arrhythmia, tachycardia, ischemic zones are revealed.

Paraneoplastic syndromes

Paraneoplastic syndrome is a manifestation of the pathological effects of a malignant neoplasm on the body. It develops as a result of tumor growth and is manifested by various non-specific reactions from organs and systems.

Attention! In most cases, such manifestations of the disease occur in patients at stages III-IV of carcinoma development. However, in children, the elderly, and patients with poor health, paraneoplastic syndrome can also occur at earlier stages of tumor formation.

Systemic syndromes

Systemic paraneoplastic syndromes are manifested by a large-scale lesion of the body, in which various organs and systems are affected. The most common symptoms of lung cancer are:

1. Cachexia is the depletion of the body's resources. It is manifested by a rapid decrease in body weight, which is accompanied by a weakening of the nervous and muscular systems. Cachexia is caused by a metabolic disorder and a lack of oxygen and nutrients in the tissues. Cancer cachexia adversely affects the functioning of the whole organism, causing gradually life-incompatible disorders in the functioning of various organs. To date, malnutrition is responsible for approximately 35% of deaths in patients with respiratory cancer. The main reason for the development of cachexia is the general intoxication of the body during the decay of tumor products.
2. Systemic lupus erythematosus is a pathology of the immune system that causes an autoaggression reaction of T and B lymphocytes and the formation of antibodies to the patient's own cells. The development of lupus can lead to the impact on the patient of a growing tumor and metastases, the use of cytostatics, or the penetration of various bacteria and viruses into the tissues. Manifested by damage to blood vessels and connective tissue. The patient develops a rash on the nose and cheeks, peeling of the skin, trophic ulcers, there is a violation of blood flow in the vessels of the extremities.

   

3. Orthostatic hypotension is a pathological syndrome that is manifested by a sharp decrease in blood pressure if the patient tries to assume a vertical position. The decrease in performance in this case is more than 20 mm Hg. Art. The disease is caused by disruption of normal blood flow in the human body and oxygen deficiency in tissues and organs, including the brain.
4. Non-bacterial thrombotic endocarditis is a pathology that is also called cachetic endocarditis. This disorder develops in people with oncological diseases due to the deposition of proteins and platelets on the valves of the heart valves and blood vessels. Such violations lead to thrombosis and a sharp disruption of the circulatory system.

Attention! Systemic syndromes must be carefully and urgently stopped. Otherwise, they can dramatically worsen the patient's condition and lead to his death.

Video - Lung cancer: the first symptoms

Skin syndromes

Skin lesions develop for several reasons. The most common factor provoking the appearance of various pathologies of the epidermis is the toxic effect on the human body of a malignant neoplasm and cytostatic drugs. All this weakens the protective functions of the body and allows various fungi, bacteria and viruses to infect the skin and epithelial integuments of the patient.

In patients with lung carcinoma, the following syndromes are noted:

• hypertrichosis - excessive hair growth throughout the body;
• dermatomyositis - an inflammatory pathology of the connective tissue;
• acanthosis - coarsening of the skin at the site of the lesion;

• hypertrophic pulmonary osteoarthropathy - a lesion that leads to deformation of bones and joints;
• vasculitis is a secondary inflammation of blood vessels.

Hematological syndromes

Circulatory disorders in patients with oncological diseases develop quite quickly and can manifest themselves already at stages I-II of the pathology. This is caused by a sharp negative impact of carcinoma on the functioning of the hematopoietic organs and a violation of the full functioning of the lungs, which causes oxygen starvation of all systems of the human body. Patients with lung cancer show a number of pathological symptoms:

• thrombocytopenic purpura - increased bleeding, leading to the appearance of hemorrhages under the skin;
• anemia;

• amyloidosis - a violation of protein metabolism;
• hypercoagulability - an increase in the coagulation function of the blood;
• leukemoid reaction - various changes in the leukocyte formula.

Neurological syndromes

Neurological paraneoplastic syndromes develop in connection with damage to the central or peripheral nervous system. They arise due to a violation of trophism or in connection with the germination of metastases in the spinal cord or brain, which is quite often observed in lung carcinomatosis. Patients have the following disorders:

• peripheral neuropathy - damage to peripheral nerves, leading to impaired mobility;
• myasthenic Lampert-Eaton syndrome - muscle weakness and atrophy;
• necrotizing myelopathy - necrosis of the spinal cord, leading to paralysis;
• cerebral encephalopathy - brain damage;
• vision loss.

Symptoms of stage IV oncology

In rare cases, patients seek medical help only at the stage when oncology turns into carcinomatosis, and the pain becomes unbearable. Symptoms at this stage largely depend on the spread of metastases throughout the body. To date, stage IV lung cancer is extremely difficult to treat, so it is necessary to consult a specialist when the first warning signs appear.

Attention! Carcinomatosis is a multiple metastasis in cancer. With carcinomatosis, any system or the entire body of the patient can be completely affected.

A patient in the late stages of tumor formation develops the following symptoms, indicating a violation of the work of various organs and systems:

• debilitating long-lasting coughing fits;
• sputum with blood, pus and decay products of the lungs;
• apathy, depression;
• constant drowsiness, impaired cognitive function;
• cachexia, weight loss to critical levels: 30-50 kg;
• swallowing disorder, vomiting;
• painful attacks of cephalalgia;
• profuse pulmonary bleeding;
• delirium, impaired consciousness;
• intense persistent pain in the chest;
• respiratory failure, suffocation;
• arrhythmia, violation of the frequency and filling of the pulse.

Lung cancers present with a range of different symptoms. The most characteristic alarming signals of pathology are a long-lasting cough with sputum, chest pain and wheezing when breathing. When such signs appear, it is necessary to consult a pulmonologist for advice.

Video - Lung Cancer: Causes and Symptoms

The causes of cancer, as well as life expectancy in this condition, can be different in women and men. Some types of cancer are common in men and much less common in women. However, both sexes with the same form of cancer usually show similar symptoms.

Lung cancer is the second most common type of cancer and the leading cause of cancer deaths in many developed countries. So, in the USA, according to the American Cancer Society, in 2018 it is expected:

• 234 thousand new cases of diagnosis of lung cancer, of which about 122 thousand - in men and about 112 thousand - in women;
• 154 thousand deaths from lung cancer, 83.5 thousand of them are the deaths of men and 70.5 thousand are the deaths of women.

People who smoke have a much higher risk of developing lung cancer than non-smokers. Among men around the world, smoking is traditionally more common than among women.

In the current article, we look at the early signs and symptoms of lung cancer in men. We'll also describe when to see a doctor, talk about diagnosis, and give you tips on how to manage your symptoms.

Early signs and symptoms

Early detection of lung cancer greatly improves patient outlook

In the early stages, lung cancer in most cases does not cause any symptoms. Usually, symptoms begin to appear as the disease progresses and spreads to other parts of the body.

However, early diagnosis and early treatment can greatly improve the outlook for patients.

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common type of lung cancer.

With NSCLC, both men and women usually show the same symptoms. These include the following:

• a cough that lasts longer than a few weeks;
• pain while breathing or coughing;
• dyspnea;
• hoarseness;
• frequent lung infections, such as pneumonia or bronchitis, which occur when airway obstruction develops in cancer;
• atelectasis, that is, the collapse or collapse of the lung that occurs after cancer blocks the airways.

When squamous cell carcinoma (a type of skin cancer) develops in the lungs, people may also experience paraneoplastic syndrome.

Paraneoplastic syndrome develops when cancer cells or cells in the immune system begin to produce hormones or other substances that change the surrounding tissues. This condition can lead to the following symptoms:

• difficulty walking and maintaining balance;
• muscle spasms;
• involuntary movements;
• loss of muscle coordination;
• muscle weakness;
• difficulty swallowing;
• speech problems.

Another type of lung cancer is called small cell lung cancer (SCLC). This form of the disease used to be much more common in men than in women, but in the last ten years the difference between the sexes has begun to rapidly decrease due to the fact that the incidence rate in men is decreasing.

SCLC usually develops in the central airways of the lungs and often spreads to the brain. Early symptoms of this form of cancer include the following:

• headache;
• visual disturbances;
• weakness on one side of the body;
• behavioral changes.

When is it necessary to see a doctor?

People with lung cancer in the early stages of the disease usually have mild or no symptoms. Over time, the cancer progresses to the point where people begin to experience noticeable symptoms. In addition, the disease can spread to other parts of the body. All of the above is true for the female body, and for the male.

When people experience symptoms of lung cancer, they very often mistake them for the effects of smoking or symptoms of less serious respiratory conditions, such as infections.

Early diagnosis and early treatment of lung cancer can have a key impact on patient outcomes. Therefore, a person needs to see a doctor if they experience the following symptoms:

• shortness of breath;
• a cough that doesn't go away
• blood in sputum;
• blood that comes out when coughing;
• chest pain
• bone pain
• unexplained weight loss;
• hoarseness;
• headaches.

Diagnostics

Visualized diagnostic procedures allow for an accurate diagnosis

Doctors have already learned how to diagnose and successfully treat early lung cancer in both men and women. People who receive treatment early in the development of the disease have a higher chance of living longer.

When diagnosing lung cancer, doctors usually start with a conversation, during which they learn about any symptoms and the general health of the patient. The doctor may perform a physical examination and spirometry. During spirometry, the specialist asks the patient to breathe into a small device called a spirometer. This procedure allows you to detect problems in the performance of the lungs.

The doctor may also do a blood test to rule out other lung conditions, such as infections.

To accurately confirm the diagnosis and exclude other medical conditions, the doctor may recommend other examinations, which include the following.

• Visualized diagnostic procedures. These procedures allow the doctor to see the inside of the body and evaluate the organs for signs of lung cancer or other diseases. If lung cancer is suspected, doctors usually order x-rays and computed tomography.
• Cytological examination of sputum. During the examination, the doctor will ask the patient to cough up a small amount of sputum. This sample will later be examined in the laboratory for signs of cancer.
• Biopsy. In this procedure, the doctor collects a small sample of cells from the patient's lungs for later analysis in the laboratory. To obtain a sample, the doctor inserts a thin tube into the lungs through the nose or mouth.

How to deal with symptoms?

The first step in fighting lung cancer symptoms is quitting smoking.

People with lung cancer can take simple steps to ease their symptoms and prevent them from getting worse.

The main measure, perhaps, should be considered a cessation of smoking or any other use of tobacco products. People should also avoid passive smoking. These measures will help ease breathing and relieve symptoms such as coughing or shortness of breath.

You can manage shortness of breath with the following tips:

• breathe slowly, carefully inhaling air through your nose and exhaling through your mouth;
• try to stay in a relaxed and calm state, for which, for example, you can listen to music, meditate or read books;
• direct cool air to your face with a fan or an open window;
• take a comfortable position and lean forward;
• avoid activities that cause shortness of breath, such as taking the elevator rather than the stairs;
• avoid eating large amounts of food, instead eat often and in small portions.

Your doctor may also prescribe certain medications and oxygen therapy to help relieve symptoms of dyspnea.

Some people with lung cancer benefit from treatments that aim to reduce pain, stress, and anxiety. These methods include the following:

• acupuncture;
• hypnosis;
• massage;
• yoga;
• meditation.

Conclusion

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths. This statistic applies to both women and men.

However, early detection of the disease and subsequent treatment significantly improve the outlook for patients. Anyone experiencing the symptoms listed in this article should see a doctor.

Lung cancer is the most common localization of the oncological process, characterized by a rather latent course and early appearance of metastases. The incidence of lung cancer depends on the area of ​​residence, the degree of industrialization, climatic and production conditions, gender, age, genetic predisposition and other factors.

What is lung cancer?

Lung cancer is a malignant neoplasm that develops from the glands and mucous membranes of the lung tissue and bronchi. In the modern world, lung cancer occupies the top line among all oncological diseases. According to statistics, this oncology affects men eight times more often than women, and it has been noted that the older the age, the higher the incidence rate.

The development of lung cancer varies with tumors of different histological structures. Differentiated squamous cell carcinoma is characterized by a slow course, undifferentiated cancer develops rapidly and gives extensive metastases.

The most malignant course is small cell lung cancer:

• develops secretly and quickly,
• metastasizes early.
• has a poor prognosis.

More often the tumor occurs in the right lung - in 52%, in the left lung - in 48% of cases.

The main group of patients is long-term smoking men aged 50 to 80 years, this category accounts for 60-70% of all cases of lung cancer, and mortality is 70-90%.

According to some researchers, the structure of the incidence of various forms of this pathology, depending on age, is as follows:

• up to 45 - 10% of all cases;
• from 46 to 60 years - 52% of cases;
• from 61 to 75 years -38% of cases.

Until recently, lung cancer was considered a predominantly male disease. Currently, there is an increase in the incidence of women and a decrease in the age of initial detection of the disease.

Kinds

Depending on the location of the primary tumor, there are:

• central cancer. It is located in the main and lobar bronchi.
• Aeripheric. This tumor develops from the small bronchi and bronchioles.

Allocate:

1. Small cell carcinoma (less common) is a very aggressive neoplasm, as it can spread throughout the body very quickly, metastasizing to other organs. Typically, small cell cancer occurs in smokers, and by the time of diagnosis, 60% of patients have widespread metastasis.
2. Non-small cell (80-85% of cases) - has a negative prognosis, combines several forms of morphologically similar types of cancer with a similar cell structure.

Anatomical classification:

• central - affects the main, lobar and segmental bronchi;
• peripheral - damage to the epithelium of smaller bronchi, bronchioles and alveolus;
• massive (mixed).

The progression of a neoplasm goes through three stages:

• Biological - the period between the appearance of a neoplasm and the manifestation of the first symptoms.
• Asymptomatic - external signs of the pathological process do not appear at all, they become noticeable only on the x-ray.
• Clinical - the period when noticeable symptoms appear in cancer, which becomes an incentive to rush to the doctor.

Causes

The main causes of lung cancer:

• smoking, including passive smoking (about 90% of all cases);
• contact with carcinogens;
• inhalation of radon and asbestos fibers;
• hereditary predisposition;
• age category over 50 years;
• influence of harmful production factors;
• radioactive exposure;
• the presence of chronic respiratory diseases and endocrine pathologies;
• cicatricial changes in the lungs;
• viral infections;
• air pollution.

The disease develops latently for a long time. The tumor begins to form in the glands, mucosa, but metastases grow very quickly throughout the body. The risk factors for the occurrence of a malignant neoplasm are:

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

Please note that cancer cells that affect 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 treated, the higher the chance of prolonging the life of the patient.

The earliest signs of lung cancer

The first symptoms of lung cancer often do not have a direct connection with the respiratory system. Patients turn to various specialists of a different profile for a long time, are examined for a long time and, accordingly, receive the wrong treatment.

Signs and symptoms of early lung cancer:

• subfebrile temperature, which is not knocked down by drugs and extremely exhausting the patient (during this period, the body undergoes internal intoxication);
• weakness and fatigue already in the morning;
• skin itching with the development of dermatitis, and, possibly, the appearance of growths on the skin (caused by the allergic action of malignant cells);
• muscle weakness and increased swelling;
• disorders of the central nervous system, in particular, dizziness (up to fainting), impaired coordination of movements or loss of sensitivity.

If these signs appear, be sure to contact a pulmonologist for diagnosis and clarification of the diagnosis.

stages

Faced with lung cancer, many do not know how to determine the stage of the disease. In oncology, when assessing the nature and extent of lung cancer, 4 stages of the development of the disease are classified.

However, the duration of any stage is purely individual for each patient. It depends on the size of the neoplasm and the presence of metastases, as well as on the rate of the course of the disease.

Allocate:

• Stage 1 - the tumor is less than 3 cm. It is located within the boundaries of a segment of the lung or one bronchus. There are no metastases. Symptoms are difficult to discern or none at all.
• 2 - tumor up to 6 cm, located within the boundaries of the segment of the lung or bronchus. Solitary metastases in individual lymph nodes. Symptoms are more pronounced, there is hemoptysis, pain, weakness, loss of appetite.
• 3 - the tumor exceeds 6 cm, penetrates into other parts of the lung or neighboring bronchi. Numerous metastases. Blood in mucopurulent sputum, shortness of breath are added to the symptoms.

How does the last 4 stage of lung cancer manifest itself?

At this stage of lung cancer, the tumor metastasizes to other organs. The five-year survival rate is 1% for small cell cancers and 2 to 15% for non-small cell cancers.

The patient has the following symptoms:

• Constant pain when breathing, which is difficult to live with.
• Chest pain
• Decrease in body weight and appetite
• Blood coagulates slowly, fractures (metastases in the bones) often occur.
• The appearance of bouts of severe coughing, often with sputum, sometimes with blood and pus.
• The appearance of severe pain in the chest, which directly indicates damage to nearby tissues, since there are no pain receptors in the lungs themselves.
• Symptoms of cancer also include heavy breathing and shortness of breath, if the cervical lymph nodes are affected, difficulty in speech is felt.

For small cell lung cancer, which develops rapidly and affects the body in a short time, only 2 stages of development are characteristic:

• limited stage, when cancer cells are localized in one lung and tissues located in close proximity.
• an extensive or extensive stage, when the tumor has metastasized to an area outside the lung and to distant organs.

Symptoms of lung cancer

Clinical manifestations of lung cancer depend on the primary location of the neoplasm. At the initial stage, most often the disease is asymptomatic. In later stages, general and specific signs of cancer may appear.

The early, first symptoms of lung cancer are non-specific and usually not alarming, and include:

• unmotivated fatigue
• loss of appetite
• slight weight loss may occur
• cough
• specific symptoms cough with "rusty" sputum, shortness of breath, hemoptysis join in later stages
• pain syndrome indicates the inclusion in the process of nearby organs and tissues

Specific symptoms of lung cancer:

• Cough - causeless, paroxysmal, debilitating, but not dependent on physical activity, sometimes with greenish sputum, which may indicate the central location of the tumor.
• Dyspnea. Shortness of breath and shortness of breath first appear in case of tension, and with the development of a tumor they disturb the patient even in a supine position.
• Pain in the chest. When the tumor process affects the pleura (the lining of the lung), where the nerve fibers and endings are located, the patient develops excruciating pain in the chest. They are sharp and aching, disturb constantly or depend on breathing and physical exertion, but most often they are located on the side of the affected lung.
• Hemoptysis. Usually, the meeting between the doctor and the patient occurs after blood begins to come out of the mouth and nose with sputum. This symptom suggests that the tumor began to affect the vessels.

Signs of lung cancer in men

• Exhausting, frequent cough is one of the first signs of lung cancer. Subsequently, sputum appears, its color may become greenish-yellow. With physical labor or hypothermia, coughing attacks intensify.
• When breathing, whistling, shortness of breath appears;
• Pain appears in the chest area. It can be considered a sign of oncology in the presence of the first two symptoms.
• When coughing, in addition to sputum, discharge in the form of blood clots may appear.
• Attacks of apathy, increased loss of strength, increased fatigue;
• With normal nutrition, the patient loses weight sharply;
• In the absence of inflammatory processes, colds, body temperature is increased;
• The voice becomes hoarse, this is due to damage to the nerve of the larynx;
• On the part of the neoplasm, pain in the shoulder may appear;
• Swallowing problems. This is due to tumor damage to the walls of the esophagus and respiratory tract;
• Muscle weakness. Patients, as a rule, do not pay attention to this symptom;
• Dizziness;
• Violation of the heart rhythm.

lung cancer in women

Important signs of lung cancer in women are discomfort in the chest area. They manifest themselves in different intensity depending on the form of the disease. Discomfort becomes especially severe if the intercostal nerves are involved in the pathological process. It is practically intractable and does not leave the patient.

Unpleasant sensations are of the following types:

• stabbing;
• cutting;
• shingles.

Along with common symptoms, there are signs of lung cancer in women:

• changes in voice timbre (hoarseness);
• enlarged lymph nodes;
• swallowing disorders;
• pain in the bones;
• frequent fractures;
• jaundice - with metastasis to the liver.

The presence of one or more signs characteristic of a single category of diseases of the respiratory organs should cause an immediate appeal to a specialist.

A person noticing the above symptoms should report them to the doctor or supplement the information he collects with the following information:

• attitudes towards smoking with pulmonary symptoms;
• the presence of cancer in blood relatives;
• a gradual increase in one of the above symptoms (it is a valuable addition, as it indicates the slow development of the disease, characteristic of oncology);
• an acute increase in symptoms against a background of chronic previous malaise, general weakness, loss of appetite and body weight is also a variant of carcinogenesis.

Diagnostics

How is lung cancer diagnosed? Up to 60% of oncological lesions of the lungs are detected during preventive fluorography, at different stages of development.

• Only 5-15% of patients with lung cancer are registered at stage 1
• For 2 — 20-35%
• At 3 stages -50-75%
• 4 - more than 10%

Diagnosis for suspected lung cancer includes:

• general clinical blood and urine tests;
• biochemical blood test;
• cytological studies of sputum, bronchial lavage, pleural exudate;
• assessment of physical data;
• radiography of the lungs in 2 projections, linear tomography, CT of the lungs;
• bronchoscopy (fibrobronchoscopy);
• pleural puncture (in the presence of effusion);
• diagnostic thoracotomy;
• scaling biopsy of lymph nodes.

Early diagnosis gives hope for a cure. The most reliable way in this case is an x-ray of the lungs. The diagnosis is confirmed by endoscopic bronchography. With its help, you can determine the size and location of the tumor. In addition, a cytological examination - a biopsy - is mandatory.

Treatment of lung cancer

The first thing I want to say is that treatment is carried out only by a doctor! No self-treatment! This is a very important point. After all, the sooner you seek help from a specialist, the more chances for a favorable outcome of the disease.

The choice of a specific treatment strategy depends on many factors:

• Stage of the disease;
• Histological structure of carcinoma;
• The presence of concomitant pathologies;
• A combination of all the above fatcores.

There are several complementary treatments for lung cancer:

• Surgical intervention;
• Radiation therapy;
• Chemotherapy.

Surgery

Surgical intervention is the most effective method, which is shown only at stages 1 and 2. They are divided into the following types:

• Radical - the primary focus of the tumor and regional lymph nodes are subject to removal;
• Palliative - aimed at maintaining the patient's condition.

Chemotherapy

When small cell cancer is detected, chemotherapy is the leading method of treatment, since this form of tumor is most sensitive to conservative methods of treatment. The effectiveness of chemotherapy is quite high and allows you to achieve a good effect for several years.

Chemotherapy is of the following types:

• therapeutic - to reduce metastases;
• adjuvant - used as a preventive measure to prevent relapse;
• inadequate - immediately before surgery to reduce tumors. It also helps to identify the level of sensitivity of cells to drug treatment, and to establish its effectiveness.

Radiation therapy

Another method of treatment is radiation therapy: it is used for non-removable lung tumors of stage 3-4, it allows to achieve good results in small cell cancer, especially in combination with chemotherapy. The standard dosage for radiation treatment is 60-70 Gy.

The use of radiation therapy for lung cancer is considered as a separate method if the patient refuses chemotherapy, and resection is not possible.

Forecast

To make accurate predictions for lung cancer, perhaps, no experienced doctor will undertake. This disease can behave unpredictably, which is largely due to the variety of histological variants of the structure of tumors.

However, the cure of the patient is still possible. Usually, leads to a happy outcome using a combination of surgery and radiation therapy.

How long do people live with lung cancer?

• In the absence of treatment almost 90% of patients after the detection of the disease do not live more than 2-5 years;
• in surgical treatment 30% of patients have a chance to live more than 5 years;
• with a combination of surgery, radiation and chemotherapy the chance to live more than 5 years appears in 40% of patients.

Do not forget about prevention, these include:

• healthy lifestyle: proper nutrition and exercise
• giving up bad habits, especially smoking

Prevention

Prevention of lung cancer includes the following recommendations:

• Giving up bad habits, especially smoking;
• Compliance with a healthy lifestyle: proper nutrition rich in vitamins and daily physical activity, walks in the fresh air.
• Treat bronchial diseases in time so that there is no transition to a chronic form.
• Airing the room, daily wet cleaning of the apartment;
• Contact with harmful chemicals and heavy metals should be kept to a minimum. During work, be sure to use protective equipment: respirators, masks.

If you have the symptoms described in this article, be sure to see a doctor for an accurate diagnosis.