Lung cancer ...it is the most frequent type of cancer in the world, with 30,000 new cases each year in Spain alone.

WHAT DOES IT CONSIST OF?

The malignant tumor can spread by deeply invading the walls of the lungs. Given the proximity of these, it can affect other organs such as the

heart or the esophagus, the vertebrae. In addition, by being next to the large blood vessels, cancer can spread to the liver, brain, bones, or adrenal glands.

What are the symptoms?

The symptoms of lung cancer are common to other respiratory diseases, so the diagnosis is usually made in advanced stages, when the patient comes to the clinic for another reason. These include coughing up mucus or dyspnea (feeling short of breath). Generally, when the expectoration is bloody is when the patient comes to consultation.

Chest pain may appear if the tumor is in the peripheral area of the lungs, chest wall, or pleura.

Occasionally, other symptoms appear, such as voice changes (dysphonia) or the feeling that food is trapped in the chest (dysphagia).

When the tumor is affecting the nerve structures in the upper chest, Horner syndrome occurs, which causes the eyelid to fall and the pupil to contract in one eye, as well as causing half of the face to stop sweating. : in both cases, on the side corresponding to the affected tumor.

WHICH IS THE TREATMENT?

Treatment usually includes chemotherapy and radiation therapy. If it is in a very localized first phase, the damaged area is removed by surgery. If it has spread, it may also be necessary to remove the lymph nodes.

Chemotherapy can be used before surgery to shrink the affected area, and afterwards, to kill any residual cancer cells.

Can lung cancer be prevented?

Quitting smoking not only improves the prognosis for lung cancer patients, but also reduces the chances of it occurring.

Tobacco is also a risk factor for passive smokers.

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