more than 38,000 new cases of LC in the UK per yr!

[Deanne Jenkyns]

There are more than 38,000 It has always been more common in men, particularly those aged over 40.
However, recently, the number of women with the disease has increased considerably and it now claims more lives than breast cancer.

Lung cancer isn't infectious and can't be passed on to other people.

This article deals with primary lung cancer - when the cancer has started in the lung. It shouldn't be confused with secondary lung cancer, when cancer in another part of the body spreads to the lung.

Causes
Cigarette smoking is the cause of nearly all lung cancers. The risk increases with the number and type of cigarettes smoked.

One in ten lung cancers occurs in non-smokers. But in a number if cases, exposure to passive smoke (inhalation of other people's cigarette smoke) may be a cause.

Pipe and cigar smokers have a lower risk than cigarette smokers, but it's still a far greater risk than that of non-smokers.

Some rare types of lung cancer are not related to smoking. Other causes include exposure to certain chemicals and substances, such as asbestos, uranium, chromium and nickel. These have all been linked to lung cancer but are very rare. Contact your local environmental health officer if you're concerned.

For help and advice on giving up smoking, see Addictions.

If a person stops smoking the risk of lung cancer is greatly reduced, so that after about 15 years the chances of developing the disease are similar to that of a non-smoker.

Symptoms
If you have the following, or any other symptoms, you must have them checked by your doctor. But remember, all occur in many conditions other than cancer.

a persistent cough or change in the nature of a longstanding cough
shortness of breath
coughing up blood-stained phlegm (sputum): blood is a warning sign that always needs urgent investigation
chest discomfort - a dull ache or sharp pain when you cough or take a deep breath
loss of appetite and weight


Diagnosis
At present there's no effective screening test for lung cancer. If you suspect you have any of the symptoms mentioned, see a GP immediately. Initial tests will include a chest x-ray. You may also be asked to bring samples of phlegm for examination.

There are several tests that can be done to diagnose lung cancer and these include:

Bronchoscopy - a thin flexible tube is passed gently through your nose or mouth and into the lung airways. Photographs and cell samples are then taken.
Mediastinoscopy - a small cut is made through the skin at the base of the neck under general anaesthetic. A tube is then passed into the chest, allowing the doctor to examine the area at the centre of the chest and local lymph nodes.
Lung biopsy - a needle is passed through the skin into the lung and a sample of cells is taken for examination.


Lung cancer patients may be referred to special clinics.

Treatment
There are two main types of lung cancer: about a quarter are rapidly spreading small-cell lung cancers (SCLC); the remainder are relatively slow-growing non-small-cell lung cancers (NSCLC).

When the tumour is away from the centre of the chest and there's little or no spread (NSCLC), surgery is often used. A small part of the lung may be removed (wedge resection), or a lobe of the lung (lobectomy) or an entire lung (pneumonectomy).

Chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy are usually more effective in treating SCLC because this type of cancer rarely occurs in one place.

Sometimes lung cancer causes breathlessness by obstructing the wind pipe or one of the main airways. In such cases laser therapy can provide some relief.

You can breathe normally with only one lung. However, if you had breathing difficulties before the operation you may be more breathless afterwards. Breathing tests will be carried out to help you and your doctor decide on the best course of action.

New ways of treating lung cancer are being studied. In NSCLC cases, different ways of giving radiotherapy and chemotherapy are being investigated.

Sometimes new symptoms can develop during your illness. These may be caused by the spread of the cancer to other parts of the body, but could also come about because some lung cancer cells produce hormones that upset the body's chemical balance.

If you have any new symptoms, tell your GP straight away so you can be given treatment or reassured that there's nothing to worry about.

Further information
The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation
Website: www.roycastle.org


Cancerbackup
Website: Cancerbackup


This article was last medically reviewed by Dr Trisha Macnair in October 2006.
First published in February 1999.