Everything you need to know about lung cancer

Category Cancers

Everything you need to know about lung cancer

Everything You Need to Know About Lung Cancer

The Live-Doctors channel, sponsored by Retraite Plus, is proud to present an interview with Dr. Anatole Cessot, a medical oncologist at the Hartmann Institute, former clinical chief, and former hospital intern in Paris. Today, we will discuss lung cancers. Cancers are in the plural, as there are several types. That's what we will try to understand with Dr. Cessot, who will talk to us about the origins and treatments of these different lung cancers.

Understanding bronchopulmonary cancers

Bronchopulmonary cancers originate in the bronchi, the airways leading to the lungs. They encompass two main types distinguished by the size and appearance of their cells:

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1. Non-small cell lung cancers: This family constitutes the majority of reported cases and has undergone precise classification in recent years.
2. Small cell lung cancers: Less common than non-small cell lung cancers.

Symptoms of lung cancer

While symptoms can vary, here are some common ones associated with bronchopulmonary cancers:

Respiratory symptoms:

- Persistent cough, with or without an apparent cause
- Recent onset of shortness of breath
- Chest or shoulder pain
- Productive cough with purulent or bloody sputum
- Recurrent lung infections unresponsive to antibiotics

General signs:

- Unusual fatigue
- Recent loss of appetite
- Weight loss

Other symptoms:

- Voice changes (dysphonia)
- Wheezing during breathing
- Swelling of the neck, face, and arms
- Distended jugular veins

Tobacco use and incidence

Daily tobacco consumption in various forms is the primary factor responsible for the majority of lung cancers, with 80% of cases linked to tobacco use. The incidence of lung cancer has risen in women due to increased smoking rates, while it has declined in men as they reduce their tobacco consumption. Over the past three decades, the incidence of lung cancers has multiplied by seven, posing significant public health challenges. Prevention efforts and combating smoking, both active and passive, are critical. Legislation prohibiting smoking in public places represents a positive step forward in this regard.

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