Lung Cancer Early Detection

This type of cancer develops when cells in the lung tissue multiply uncontrollably and lose their natural growth regulation. The tumor usually develops from the mucous membranes of the bronchi, the larger airways, but it can also arise in the smaller bronchioles or in the lung tissue itself. As the disease progresses, the cancer can spread to other organs via the blood or lymphatic system and form metastases.

Medically, two main forms of lung cancer are distinguished:

• Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
  This form accounts for around 80 to 85 percent of all cases and usually grows more slowly. It includes several subtypes:
  • Adenocarcinoma
    This type of tumor often develops in the outer areas of the lungs and also occurs in non-smokers.
  • Squamous cell carcinoma
    It usually develops in the larger airways and is often associated with smoking.
  • Large cell carcinoma
    This tumor often grows more rapidly and can occur in different areas of the lung.
• Small cell lung cancer (SCLC)
  This form is less common but considerably more aggressive. It grows quickly, tends to metastasize early and usually requires intensive systemic treatment.

Distinguishing between the different types is crucial because it has a major influence on the choice of treatment and prognosis.

Lung cancer often causes noticeable symptoms only once it is already advanced. Nevertheless, there are warning signs you should pay attention to. These include a persistent or changing cough, shortness of breath, wheezing, chest pain or coughing up blood.

General symptoms such as unintended weight loss, persistent fatigue or night sweats can also occur. These symptoms do not automatically mean that lung cancer is present, but they should be medically assessed.

Smoking remains the greatest risk factor, both active and passive. Tobacco smoke contains numerous harmful substances that can irritate and alter lung tissue over many years.

Occupational exposure to substances such as asbestos or nickel, air pollution, chronic inflammation of the airways and genetic predisposition can also play a role.

One reason lung cancer is often detected late is that the lungs themselves do not have pain receptors. Changes in the tissue therefore initially cause no noticeable discomfort. Symptoms often appear only once the tumor becomes larger and affects neighboring structures such as the bronchi, pleura or nerves.

The first signs are also usually non-specific and can easily be mistaken for respiratory diseases, for example.

The location of the tumor can also allow the disease to remain hidden for a long time: carcinomas that grow deep within the lung tissue often cause no early warning signs. The disease may therefore remain undetected for months or even years.

A conventional X-ray shows the lungs only as a two-dimensional image. Fine structures can overlap, so small changes may not be sufficiently visible. Lung CT, by contrast, creates numerous cross-sectional images that provide a detailed three-dimensional representation of the lung tissue. This allows us to detect even very small tissue changes.

A pulmonary function test measures how well the lungs are working but does not provide detailed images of the tissue. CT, by comparison, enables a detailed view of the internal structures and provides specific indications of possible diseases such as lung cancer.

Ultrasound uses sound waves, which are poorly transmitted through air-filled structures such as the lungs. As a result, it cannot provide a clear image of the internal lung tissue and changes within it remain invisible. Lung CT, on the other hand, can display the entire lung structure in detail and also reveal changes located deep within the lungs.