Year after year, every November 17, the World Lung Cancer Day is celebrated, in order to raise awareness in the population about the seriousness of this disease

Lung cancer is the second most frequently diagnosed type of cancer, being one of the leading causes of cancer-related death in the Americas, according to the Pan American Health Organization. There are differences in this disease according to the type of cellular origin, which can be: small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer, the latter being the most common, which grow and are treated differently. On this occasion, Dr. Luis Orrego, oncologist at the Ricardo Palma Clinic, provides us with more information on the subject .

Symptoms

The symptoms that can be related to this disease are:

• Persistent cough, apparently without infectious cause
• Coughing up blood
• Difficulty breathing
• Weight loss
• Chest pain
• Hoarseness, among others

Risk factors

There are different risk factors that can increase the chances of lung cancer, but the main and most important is: smoking. According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 80% of deaths from this disease are due to cigarette smoking. A light or low-tar cigar carries the same risk as a regular one, as do cigars or pipes. On the other hand, breathing the smoke that others produce when lighting a cigarette also implies another important risk factor.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis is made through a clinical examination in patients with suspected cancer and who present some antecedent or risk factor. First, a lung tomography is performed and later a confirmatory cancer biopsy, either by bronchofibroscopy, tomography-guided needle biopsy, or surgery. In addition, it is important not only to make the diagnosis, but also to analyze the lung cancer subtype at the molecular level.

Treatment

Today, the treatment of lung cancer has evolved achieving good results such as avoiding recurrence and improving the life span of patients. The treatment will depend on the molecular subtype of cancer that is present, depending on it, a choice is made between the various treatment options available.

Dr. Luis Orrego
Oncologist at Clínica RicardoPalma