Lung Cancer

As one of the most common forms of cancer, lung cancer represents a significant proportion of the number of diagnosed cancer cases in the UK. In the case that lung cancer is caught early, prompt treatment can greatly improve your chances of surviving this condition.

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What is lung cancer?

Lung cancer either starts in the lungs, known as primary lung cancer, or spreads to the lungs, known as secondary lung cancer. If lung cancer is caught early on (before it has time to spread), it is typically primary lung cancer. While older people and smokers are mostly affected by lung cancer, this condition can be diagnosed at any age in both smokers and non-smokers, requiring prompt treatment.

Primary lung cancer is split into two broad groups: non-small cell and small cell lung cancer. Most lung cancer is non-small cell lung cancer, which has different sub-groups.  The type of lung cancer you have will affect which course of treatment is best for you.

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Symptoms of lung cancer

In the early stage of lung cancer, there are typically very few signs or symptoms that you or a medical professional could spot. After lung cancer progresses, you may show any of these symptoms over time:

  • A cough that doesn't lessen or go away after weeks
  • A chest infection that keeps coming back
  • Constant breathlessness
  • Coughing up blood
  • Fatigue and lack of energy
  • Loss of appetite or sudden weight loss
  • An ache or sharp pain when coughing or breathing
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While the following are less common signs of lung cancer, you should also let a medical professional know if you have:
Trouble or pain when swallowing, finger clubbing (a change to the shape of your nails), swelling in your face or neck and continuous chest pain.

Causes of lung cancer

The number one cause of lung cancer is smoking tobacco cigarettes.  More than 70% of diagnosed patients have a history of smoking. Other forms of tobacco consumption, such as snuff, cigars, pipes or chewing tobacco, can also cause oral, oesophageal and lung cancer. When cannabis is smoked with or without tobacco, this can also be a key cause due to the length of time the smoke is held in the lungs.

Passive smoking with frequent exposure can also increase your risk of lung cancer. Exposure to radon, pollution and workplace hazards such as asbestos, coal fumes, silica and arsenic can all cause various forms of cancer, including lung cancer.

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Treatments and investigations

A chest x-ray and a CT scan are generally the first steps towards a diagnosis of lung cancer, alongside a blood test. Full lung function testing and reversibility may also be measured to check how well you can breathe. Finally, a biopsy will typically be carried out for a formal lung cancer diagnosis.  This may be done during a bronchoscopy or in the x-ray department under image guidance.  

Treatment for lung cancer varies depending on the type of lung cancer you have. Small-cell lung cancer is usually treated with chemotherapy.  For non-small cell lung cancer treatment options will include the possibility of surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy or radiotherapy, depending on the type and extent of spread.

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