Lung Cancer
General information
Lung cancer develops in the breathing tube, main airway or lung tissue. Cancer that starts in the lung is called primary lung cancer. There are different types of primary lung cancer, the most common type being non-small cell lung cancer. If the cancer spreads to the lungs from elsewhere in the body, this is called secondary lung cancer.
Types:: There are two main types of lung cancer: non-small cell lung cancer, abbreviated NSCLC, and small cell lung cancer, abbreviated SCLC.
Risk factors:: Smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer; however, non-smokers can also develop lung cancer due to factors such as exposure to radioactive radon gas, asbestos and air pollution.
Symptoms:: Early stages often have no symptoms; later stages may include coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and unexplained weight loss.
Screening:: Regular screening of high-risk individuals, especially long-term smokers, is recommended for early detection of lung cancer.
Diagnosis:: Diagnosis usually involves imaging tests such as chest X-ray, CT scan and several types of biopsy.
Staging:: Determining the stage of lung cancer is crucial for treatment planning and involves assessing the size of the tumour, lymph node involvement and whether the cancer has spread.
Treatment of non-small cell lung cancer::Options include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy.
Treatment of small cell lung cancer:: It is often treated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy as it is usually more aggressive and spreads quickly.
Хирургични опции:: Surgery may involve removing part of the lung or the entire lung, depending on the location and size of the tumor.
Target therapy:: Насочена е към специфични гени или протеини в раковите клетки и обикновено се използва за тип NSCLC.Immunotherapy:: It boosts the body's immune system to fight cancer and is becoming a standard treatment for some types of lung cancer.
Survival rates:: Survival rates vary widely depending on the stage of cancer, with early-stage diagnoses having a much better prognosis.
Research and innovation:: Ongoing research continues to improve understanding and treatment with advances in personalized medicine and molecular testing.
Prevention:: The best prevention is to avoid smoking; quitting smoking at any stage can significantly reduce the risk of developing lung cancer.
- Latest data
- About lung cancer diagnosis
- NSCLC и SCLC
- Symptoms of lung cancer
- Causes of lung cancer
- Lung cancer types
- Lung cancer prevention
- Lung cancer diagnosis
- Staging of lung cancer
- Lung cancer treatment
- Therapies for lung cancer
- Aftercare
- Tracking
- TELK/NELK
Diagnosis “lung cancer”
Lung cancer is one of the most common and deadliest cancers. The disease is characterized by the development of malignant tumors in the tissues of the lungs. It is often diagnosed at an advanced stage due to a lack of specific early symptoms, making early diagnosis and treatment difficult.
Lung Cancer types
Lung cancer is classified as small cell SCLC and non-small cell NSCLC. NSCLC is more common and includes several subtypes, such as adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. SCLC is more aggressive and fast-growing, often associated with smoking.
Lung Cancer sympthoms
Symptoms of lung cancer may include chronic cough, change in the nature of the cough, blood in the sputum, shortness of breath, chest pain, fatigue and loss of appetite. Symptoms are often confused with those of less serious diseases, delaying diagnosis.
Lung cancer diagnosis
The diagnosis of lung cancer usually begins with a chest X-ray followed by a CT scan to determine the size and location of the tumor. Biopsy and pathological analysis of tissue samples are necessary to confirm the diagnosis and determine the type of cancer.
Treatment options
Treatment for lung cancer may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapy or immunotherapy, depending on the type, stage of the disease and the patient's general condition. Combining different therapeutic approaches often gives the best results.
Post-treatment follow-up
After completing treatment, lung cancer patients continue to be followed up regularly with medical examinations and imaging tests to identify any recurrences or metastases. Follow-up includes CT scans, pulmonary function tests and consultations with an oncologist.
Latest data on lung cancer.
Lung cancer in Bulgaria is one of the five most common cancers in both sexes. Due to the lack of data from the National Cancer Registry, we cannot provide up-to-date statistics on the number of cases, but the latest information as of May 2024 puts the numbers at between 4,200 and 4,600 cases per year and the mortality rate at between 2,700 and 3,200. The mortality rate for lung cancer remains high compared to other cancers, mainly because of late detection and rapid spread and metastasis.
Globally, lung cancer is the deadliest cancer worldwide, causing 1.82 million deaths in 2022. However, lung cancer is only the sixth leading cause of death globally, with heart disease and stroke accounting for the highest proportion of deaths. Lung cancer is the deadliest form of cancer among men, but is the second deadliest form of cancer among women after breast cancer. Breast cancer, the most common form of cancer among women worldwide, is also the deadliest form of cancer among women.
Questions to ask your medical professional
- What type and stage of lung cancer do I have? What does this mean?
- Is there enough information to recommend a treatment plan for me? If not, what tests or procedures will be needed?
- How can I prepare for each test or procedure?
- Where should I go to have these tests done?
- When will I get the results? How will I receive the results (by phone, email, at my next visit or other) ?
- Who's going to explain these results to me?
- Should I get a second opinion? Can you give me names of doctors I can go to?
- If I get a second opinion, will I have to repeat any tests or procedures?
- What is the prognosis for my treatment?
- If I am worried about the cost of treatment, who can help me in this area?
- Which institution should I contact to learn about my rights as a cancer patient?