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Lung cancer is a malignant (cancerous) tumor that starts in cells of the lung, usually in the cells lining air passages. The two main types are small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) and non small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), which are treated differently. If the tumor has both types of cells, it is referred to as mixed small cell/large cell cancer. About 85% of all lung cancers are of the non small-cell type with three sub-types. The subtypes are divided based on cellular size, shape, and chemical make-up, and diagnosis is based on how the cells appear under a microscope.
Early-stage lung cancer often does not cause symptoms. If the cancer grows, some common symptoms may include a worsening cough, breathing problems, constant chest pain, coughing up blood, a hoarse voice, frequent infections, fatigue, and weight loss. Other health problems may cause these symptoms, but anyone experiencing them should see a physician.
Lung cancer is rarely found early, because most people who have it do not show signs of the disease until it has progressed. If lung cancer is detected during the early stages of the disease, it is usually found by accident. Some tests doctors use to find lung cancer, and to see if it has spread, are chest X-ray, CT scan, MRI, PET scan, bone scan, ultrasound, biopsy, and/or sputum cytology, needle biopsy, and/or bronchoscopy.
Treatments for lung cancer may include chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. More than one kind of treatment may be used at one time, depending on the stage of your cancer.
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