ABC Medical Center > Diseases > Lung cancer

What is lung cancer?

9 April 2021

Condition that originates in the lungs due to the replication of malignant cells whose uncontrolled spread causes serious damage to respiratory functions. In turn, this type of cancer can cause metastasis, that is, the original tumor’s cells invade other organs and tissues, which would cause more complications. 

This type of cancer is more common among people who smoke, however, no one is exempt from it, since it is very frequent and has a high fatality rate, being the main cause of death from cancer worldwide.

Signs and symptoms Lung cancer

Most people with lung cancer manifest respiratory symptoms when the disease is already advanced, and it will depend on whether or not there is metastasis to produce other symptoms in other parts of the body. 

  • General discomfort and joint pain.
  • Significant weight loss.
  • Constant respiratory infections.
  • Chest and back pain.
  • Trouble breathing and excessive tiredness.
  • Hoarseness and coughing up blood.
  • Low oxygenation.

It should be noted that these symptoms could be an expression of other diseases as well, but, for your safety, if you experience any of them, see your ABC doctor immediately.

Main causes:

  • Smoking or being a passive smoker.
  • Receive or have received radiotherapy.
  • Environmental pollution.
  • Being regularly exposed to radon gas or asbestos.
  • Having had relatives with lung cancer.

Diagnosis and treatment Lung cancer

There are several tests to establish an accurate diagnosis for lung cancer, as well as effective treatments to treat the disease.

If suspected, your ABC doctor may request a biopsy to analyze a sample of damaged tissue, X-ray tests to evaluate your lungs, as well as laboratory tests to confirm the presence of cancer. 

Among the most common treatments are:

  • Surgery; especially if the tumor is small and limited to a specific area.
  • Immunotherapy; when the cancer has already spread to other areas of the body.
  • Chemotherapy; as a complement after surgery, to try to destroy the remaining malignant cells.
  • Radiotherapy; it is frequently used along with chemotherapy to relieve the discomfort caused by the disease.

At our Cancer Center, doctors from different specialties work together to treat lung cancer, so a highly specialized team of surgeons, oncologists, and radiologist oncologists will treat you with the warmth and humane treatment that sets us apart.

Related centers and departments Lung cancer

ABC Cancer Center
High Specialty Surgery Center
Radiology and Molecular Imaging
Clinical Laboratory

Why choose ABC Medical Center?

Experience, state-of-the-art technology, and state-of-the-art facilities

Since its opening in 2009, our Cancer Center offers chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments at the level of the best medical centers in the world through a comprehensive care model for cancer patients.

In chemotherapy we include the most innovative therapies in comfortable facilities specially designed for your comfort and peace of mind.

In radiotherapy procedures, we provide you with evidence-based treatment plans discussed with experts from Houston Methodist Hospital, using state-of-the-art technological equipment in state-of-the-art facilities.

Fuentes: 

  • cun.es
  • cancer.org
  • medlineplus.gov
  • cancer.net
  • medigraphic.com
  • Arrieta O, Guzmán-De Alba E, Alba-López LF, Acosta-Espinoza A, Alatorre-Alexander J, Alexander-Meza JF et al. Consenso nacional de diagnóstico y tratamiento del cáncer de pulmón de células no pequeñas. Rev Invest Clin. 2013;65(supl1): S5-84.
  • Arroyo-Hernández M, Zinser-Sierra JW, Vázquez-García JC. Detección temprana de cáncer de pulmón en México. salud publica mex. 2019;61(3):347-351.
  • Roberts H, Walker-Dilks C, Sivjee K, Ung Y, Yasufuku K, Hey A, et al. Screening high-risk populations for lung cancer: Guideline recommendations. J Thorac Oncol. 2013;8(10):1232-7. https://doi.org/10.1097/ jto.0b013e31829fd3d5

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    The dissemination of the content of this material is for informational purposes only and does not replace, under any circumstance or condition, a consultation with a specialist doctor, for which the ABC Medical Center is not responsible for the different use that may be given to it. If you require more information related to the subject, we suggest you contact the specialist doctor you trust directly.