Top Lung Cancer Doctor Specialist
Everything You Need To Know About Lung Cancer
Lung cancer is a type of solid tumour that grows in the lower part of the airways. It starts when cells in the lungs or surrounding area become damaged, affecting their DNA. Over time, these damaged cells divide and grow uncontrollably, causing tumors to develop.
There are several types of lung cancer, and given the higher mortality rate, treatment needs to be regular for most of these types. That has been difficult the past few months because of the Covid-19 pandemic. But, Dr. Manish Sharma, the best lung cancer doctor in Noida, and his team have found a way to ensure lung cancer patients get what they need even during the pandemic. They are offering telemedicine services, chemotherapy at home, and video as well as phone consultations while maintaining all Covid-19 precautions to their lung cancer patients.
Types of Lung Cancer
There are two main types of primary lung cancer:
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC):
- Accounts for around 80-85% of lung cancer cases in the U.S.
- Includes adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and large cell carcinoma subtypes
Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC):
- Makes up about 10-15% of lung cancer cases in the U.S.
- Affects round ‘oat’ cells
- Strongly linked to smoking
- Grows and spreads rapidly, often requiring prompt treatment
Symptoms of Lung Cancer
Common symptoms of lung cancer include:
- Persistent cough
- Coughing up blood
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Hoarseness
- Unexplained weight loss
- Fatigue
These symptoms may often resemble those of other respiratory conditions, making early detection challenging.
- Stage 0
- Also known as “in situ” lung cancer.
- Cancer cells are present but have not invaded nearby tissues.
- There are no signs of cancer outside the lungs.
- The tumor is small (less than 5 centimeters) and localized within the lung.
- There is no spread to nearby lymph nodes.
- Symptoms may be absent, and diagnosis often occurs during routine screenings.
- Stage II
- The tumour may be larger (up to 7 centimetres) and may have spread to nearby lymph nodes.
- There are typically no distant metastases.
- Symptoms might start to appear, such as a persistent cough or chest pain.
- This stage is characterized by more extensive local spread.
- The tumour may have invaded nearby structures and lymph nodes in the mediastinum (the area between the lungs).
- It is divided into two substages:
- Stage IIIA: Cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes on the same side as the tumor.
- Stage IIIB: Cancer has spread to lymph nodes on the opposite side or to more distant nodes.
- This is the most advanced stage, where cancer has metastasized to distant organs (such as the brain, liver, or bones) or to both lungs.
- Symptoms can be severe and may include persistent cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, and significant weight loss.
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Why Choose Dr. Manish Sharma for Lung Cancer Care?
Dr. Manish Sharma is a highly experienced and dedicated oncologist who specializes in the treatment of breast cancer. With over 15 years of expertise, he has established himself as a leading expert in the field of breast cancer care in the Noida region.
- Specialized Training: Dr Manish Sharma has undergone extensive training in medical oncology, completing his super specialty training at the prestigious Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute and Research Centre. His qualifications include a DNB in medical oncology and a strong foundation in internal medicine.
- Years of Experience: With over 15 years of experience in oncology, Dr. Sharma has successfully handled more than 1,000 cases, demonstrating his proficiency in diagnosing and treating various forms of lung cancer
- Telemedicine and Home Care: In response to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Sharma has adapted his practice to include telemedicine services, allowing patients to receive consultations from the comfort of their homes. Additionally, he offers chemotherapy at home, ensuring convenience and safety for his patients.
- Supportive Environment: Dr Sharma is known for his compassionate approach, treating patients with care and respect. His dedication to patient education helps individuals understand their condition and treatment options better.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the risk factors of Lung Cancer?
- There are several variables that could impact your chances of developing lung cancer. Some risk factors are controllable by quitting, for example, smoking. Other circumstances, such as family history, are beyond your control.
Risk Factors for Lung Cancer
- Smoking. The quantity of cigarettes you smoke each day and the length of time you have been smoking both raise your chance of developing lung cancer. You may dramatically reduce your risk of lung cancer by quitting at any age.
- Exposure to secondhand smoke. Even if you don’t smoke, being around secondhand smoke raises your chance of developing lung cancer.
- Previous radiation therapy. You may be at a higher risk of developing lung cancer if you’ve had chest radiation therapy for another form of cancer.
- Exposure to radon gas. The natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock, and water results in the production of radon, which eventually finds its way into the air you breathe. Radon may build up to unsafe levels in any structure, including dwellings.
- Exposure to asbestos and other carcinogens. Your chance of developing lung cancer can rise if you work with asbestos and other cancer-causing agents including arsenic, chromium, and nickel, especially if you smoke.
- Family history of lung cancer. Lung cancer risk is higher in people who have a parent, sibling, or child who has the disease.
How to diagnose Lung Cancer?
Diagnosis and Staging
- Physical exam and medical history
- Imaging tests like chest X-ray or CT scan
- Sputum cytology
- Biopsy
Staging helps determine the severity and extent of cancer spread
- Localized: Cancer is limited to a small area
- Regional: Cancer has spread to nearby tissues or lymph nodes
- Distant: Cancer has spread to other parts of the body
How to Lung Cancer Treated?
- Treatment options are many and vary according to the type of lung cancer and how far it has gone. This includes surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy or a combination of these to treat non-small cell lung cancer patients. Chemo and radiation therapy are also often given to people with small-cell lung cancer.
Surgery: A procedure in which physicians remove cancerous tissue.
Chemotherapy: The method using special medicines that lower the amount of or kill the cancer. One can swallow the medicines or have them injected into a vein; sometimes, both may be done.
Radiation therapy: This is the use of high-energy radiation, a lot like X-rays, to kill cancer.
Targeted therapy: This prevents the development and spreading of the cancer cells. The intake is via intravenous ways or tablets. Tests will be done first to see whether targeted treatment suits the kind of cancer you are suffering from.Many kinds of medical professionals often work together to treat lung cancer. Pulmonologists are medical professionals who specialize in conditions of the lungs. Doctors who perform procedures are called surgeons. Chest, heart, and lung surgery is the speciality of thoracic surgeons. Medical professionals who treat cancer with medicine are called oncologists. Medical professionals who treat cancer with radiation are called radiation oncologists.