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Minimally Invasive Therapies / Patient Information / About Lung Cancer

what is lung cancer

Cancer is a disease in which cells in the body grow out of control. When cancer starts in the lungs, it is called lung cancer.  Cancer from other organs also may spread to the lungs. When cancer cells spread from one organ to another, they are called metastases.1

Frequently Asked Questions

  • When should I see a doctor?

    Speak to your doctor if:

    • You have had radiation therapy in the past, or a family history of lung cancer.
    • You have any persistent signs or symptoms that worry you.
    • You smoke and have been unable to quit your doctor can recommend strategies for quitting smoking, such as counselling, medications, and nicotine replacement products.
    Don’t wait for symptoms because lung cancer doesn’t usually cause symptoms until the cancer has spread, which makes it difficult to treat.
    Screening with low dose computed tomography (CT) for high-risk individuals (current and former heavy smokers) can help diagnose cancer early. Several international guidelines recommend that you  should be offered screening if you are a high-risk individual between the age of 55–74 even if you have no history of lung cancer. 2
  • What are the risk factors?
    The greatest risk by far for developing lung cancer is cigarette smoking, but age, radon exposure, environmental pollution, occupational exposures, race, and pre-existing lung disease also are important contributors. However, not all people with these risk factors develop lung cancer, and some without any known risk factor do, indicating the importance of genetic influences.
    A number of factors may increase your risk of lung cancer. Some risk factors can be controlled, for instance, by quitting smoking. And other factors can't be controlled, such as your family history.3
  • What are the symptoms?5

    Lung cancer typically doesn't cause signs and symptoms in its earliest stages. Signs and symptoms of lung cancer typically occur when the disease is advanced.

    Signs and symptoms of lung cancer may include:

    • A new cough that doesn't go away
    • Coughing up blood, even a small amount
    • Shortness of breath
    • Chest pain
    • Hoarseness
    • Losing weight without trying
    • Bone pain
    • Headache

Staging of cancer

After someone is diagnosed with cancer, doctors will try to figure out if it has spread, and if so, how far. This process is called staging. The stage of a cancer describes how much cancer is in the body. It helps determine how serious the cancer is and how best to treat it.4
Stage 1 Cancerous cells are only in the lung(s)
Stage 2 Cancer has spread to lymph nodes that are on the same side of the cancer.
Stage 3 Cancerous cells have possibly spread to the lymph nodes
Stage 4 Cancerous cells have possibly spread to other organs of the body


You and your doctor will choose a cancer management plan based on a number of factors, such as your overall health, the type and stage of your cancer, and your preferences.

Staging of cancer

After someone is diagnosed with cancer, doctors will try to figure out if it has spread, and if so, how far. This process is called staging. The stage of a cancer describes how much cancer is in the body. It helps determine how serious the cancer is and how best to treat it.4
Stage 1 Cancerous cells are only in the lung(s)
Stage 2 Cancer has spread to lymph nodes that are on the same side of the cancer.
Stage 3 Cancerous cells have possibly spread to the lymph nodes
Stage 4 Cancerous cells have possibly spread to other organs of the body


You and your doctor will choose a cancer management plan based on a number of factors, such as your overall health, the type and stage of your cancer, and your preferences.

Management options

What are my options to manage this disease?

  • 1.https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/lung/basic_info/what-is-lung-cancer.htm

  • 2.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6037972/

  • 3.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22974775/

  • 4.https://www.cancer.org/cancer/lung-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/staging-nsclc.html

  • 5.https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lung-cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20374620

  • 6.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18452692/

  • 7.Details can be found at https://www.news-medical.net/health/Laparoscopic-Surgery-Advantages.aspx

  • 8.da Luz Moreira et al; Surgical Endoscopy. 2010 Jun;24(6):1280-6. doi: 10.1007/s00464-009-0761-3. Epub 2009 Dec 24. Additional details are available by visiting https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=PMID%3A+20033728

  • 9.Details can be found at https://www.news-medical.net/health/Laparoscopic-Surgery-Advantages.aspx

  • 10.Additional details are available by visiting https://www.news-medical.net/health/Laparoscopic-Surgery-Advantages.aspx and https://www.fascrs.org/patients/disease-condition/minimally-invasive-surgery-expanded-version

  • 11.Details can be found at https://www.news-medical.net/health/Laparoscopic-Surgery-Advantages.aspx

  • 12.https://www.cancer.org/cancer/lung-cancer/about/key-statistics.html

  • 13.https://acsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.3322/caac.21660

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