Lung cancer: information & lung cancer specialists

Leading Medicine Guide Editors
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Leading Medicine Guide Editors

Lung cancer is a malignant tumor that develops directly in the lung tissue. Smokers in particular have a high risk of developing lung cancer. The first possible symptoms of lung cancer can be a persistent cough, heavy sputum production or hoarseness.

Below you will find further information as well as lung cancer specialists and qualified lung cancer centers.

ICD codes for this diseases: C34

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Brief overview:

  • What is lung cancer? A malignant tumor disease of the lung. It is classified into different stages depending on its location and spread within the lung.
  • Classification: The TNM classification describes the tumor characteristics in the initial diagnosis. The further course of treatment depends on this. It describes the size of the tumor, whether lymph nodes are affected and whether the tumor has already metastasized.
  • Frequency: Lung cancer is one of the most common causes of death worldwide. In Germany, 48,000 initial diagnoses are made every year.
  • Symptoms: There are no symptoms in the early stages, only later do symptoms such as persistent coughing, chest pain, shortness of breath and unwanted weight loss become apparent.
  • Causes: The most common cause is active or passive smoking, but asbestos, benzene and fine dust also promote the formation of the tumor.
  • Diagnosis: Imaging procedures (X-ray, CT, MRI) can clearly show a lung tumor. Further diagnostic tests include bronchoscopy and the examination of tissue samples.
  • Treatment: The procedure depends on the tumor classification. Surgery is not always possible. Chemotherapy is usually used, often in combination with radiotherapy.
  • Prevention: The best measure is not to inhale toxic particles. Avoiding smoking is therefore recommended.

Article overview

Definition: What is lung cancer?

Lung cancer is also known as lung carcinoma or bronchial carcinoma. The tumor develops in the cells that line the airways (bronchi).

The chances of recovery from lung cancer depend primarily on the stage of the disease at the time of diagnosis. In general, the earlier the disease is detected, the better the chances of a cure.

However, there are no early warning signs of lung cancer and no recognized early detection tests. As a result, the disease is often discovered late.

The two types of lung cancer

In lung cancer, a distinction is made between small cell and large cell bronchial carcinomas. The classification of a tumor is based on the removal of a tissue sample and its microscopic examination.

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is further divided into limited disease and extensive disease. Limited disease refers to a lung tumor that is restricted to one area or one lung. Extensive disease small cell lung cancer, on the other hand, affects other structures outside a lung.

Darstellung von Lunenkrebs
Lung cancer refers to tumors that arise directly from the lung tissue © SciePro | AdobeStock

The classification of lung cancer

Bronchial carcinomas differ in their size and spread within the lung. The so-called TNM classification is available for better classification of lung cancer. This allows a tumor to be classified into a stage when it is first diagnosed.

The designation of the TNM classes is made up of the individual characteristics of the lung tumor:

  • T (tumor): Size or extent of the tumor. A distinction is made here from size T1 to T4.
  • N (Nodi): Whether and to what extent surrounding lymph nodes are affected. The impairment of the lymph nodes is described as N0 to N3.
  • M (metastases): Metastases can either be present (M1) or not (M0). M1 is further subdivided into M1a to M1c. These designations indicate how strongly and where metastases have spread. Distant metastases can occur in the liver or brain, for example.

The TNM classification makes it possible to clearly classify the tumor. Oncologists then use the TNM classification to select further examinations and treatments.

Frequency of lung cancer

Lung cancer has become one of the most common causes of death worldwide.

In Germany, lung cancer is the third most common type of cancer, after prostate and bowel cancer in men, and breast and bowel cancer in women.

Around 48,000 new cases are diagnosed every year. This includes around 33,000 men and 15,000 women - meaning that men are significantly more frequently affected.

Overall, around one in 15 men and one in 36 women in Germany will develop lung cancer in the course of their lives.

Symptoms and early detection of lung cancer

To date, there is no routine early detection for lung cancer, as there is for bowel cancer or breast cancer. As a result, lung cancer screening is not in the public eye.

Unfortunately, lung cancer only becomes noticeable when the tumor has grown significantly and is already impairing lung function. Only then does the patient go to the doctor to have their symptoms examined.

In addition, the symptoms of lung cancer are very varied and unclear. There are no clear symptoms that indicate bronchial carcinoma.

The possible symptoms of lung cancer are

Weight loss in particular is a common symptom of cancer. An existing tumor uses a lot of the body's energy and consumes additional oxygen through its own blood supply.

Causes of lung cancer

There are many possible causes of lung cancer, and sometimes no cause can be identified.

What is clear is that

  • active and passive smoking,
  • inhalation of asbestos or benzene and
  • particulate matter

increase the risk of developing lung cancer. Around 91 percent of male and 65 percent of female lung cancer patients are or were active smokers.

Overall, almost 85 percent of all lung cancer cases are caused by cigarette smoking.

The diagnosis of lung cancer

During the first visit to the doctor to clarify the cough, the doctor must first rule out other illnesses.

He then often uses an imaging procedure. For example, he will order an X-ray of the lungs. This image can confirm an initial suspicion and leads to further imaging examinations.

This is usually followed by a computer tomography scan before MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) images are taken. These images clearly show the bronchial carcinoma and its spread within the lung.

Further examinations are then carried out to determine the type of lung tumor. For this purpose, a bronchoscopy, i.e. a lung endoscopy, is performed. A tissue sample can be taken from the tumor by means of a biopsy.

This sample is then examined under a microscope to determine the cell type of the bronchial carcinoma. This reveals whether it is a small-cell or large-cell lung tumor. A suitable therapy can then be determined.

Lung cancer treatment

If a lung carcinoma has been diagnosed, the treatment options are generally

are available.

The treatment of lung cancer depends on the cell type of the tumor and the current stage of the cancer. Different types of lung cancer respond differently to different forms of therapy.

In addition, at a late stage, lung tumors can often only be treated palliatively. This means that the cancer cannot be cured, but the therapy prolongs life and improves quality of life.

In most cases, lung cancer is treated with chemotherapy. This is often carried out in specialized lung cancer clinics. Small cell lung cancer in particular can be contained with this method.

Chemotherapy consists of a combination of different drugs, the cytostatics. The chemotherapy drugs halt the cell cycle and thus prevent the tumor from growing further.

During radiotherapy, the cells of the tumor are destroyed using X-rays. For this purpose, the tumor is localized precisely within the chest during a CT scan. Its outline is drawn on the outside of the skin so that the radiation can be targeted and only diseased tissue is destroyed.

Surgery is not always possible. Often important surrounding structures, such as the main bronchus or blood vessels, are already infiltrated by the tumor.

It may be possible to reduce the size of the tumor. Chemotherapy, radiotherapy or a combination of both(radiochemotherapy) are used for this purpose. If the tumor shrinks, surgery can then be performed.

Interdisciplinary cooperation in lung cancer treatment

The specialist departments that work together in the treatment of lung cancer include in particular

In addition, there is also close cooperation with the specialist departments

as well as with the nursing service, social services and pastoral care.

The range of services in lung cancer centers is rounded off by the active involvement of self-help groups for lung cancer patients in all phases of their treatment.

Preventing lung cancer

Lung cancer is caused and intensified by environmental influences. Particulate matter can also cause bronchial carcinoma. There are therefore external conditions that cannot be influenced.

Nevertheless, it is clear that around 85 percent of all cases of lung cancer are caused by smoking. Quitting smoking is therefore the best preventive measure against lung cancer. Passive smoking can also lead to lung cancer. You should also bear this in mind.

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