Detailed introduction of small cell lung cancer

Now that living standards are better, there are more and more diseases that are harmful to health caused by unscientific lifestyles and habits. Many people have heard of small cell lung cancer, but are unfamiliar with this disease. Below I will introduce small cell lung cancer in detail so that everyone can have a deep understanding of it.

What is Small Cell Lung Cancer

Small cell lung cancer, also known as small cell undifferentiated carcinoma, is the most malignant type of lung cancer, accounting for about one-fifth of primary lung cancers. Patients with this disease are generally young, mostly around 40-50 years old, and most have a history of smoking. The rate of male patients is higher than that of female patients. Cancer cells often invade the extra-ductal lung parenchyma and easily fuse with the hilar and mediastinal lymph nodes to form masses. Cancer cells grow fast, have strong invasiveness, and metastasize to distant organs early, often to the brain, liver, bones, adrenal glands and other organs. This type of lung cancer is more sensitive to radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

Symptoms of small cell lung cancer:

cough

Cough is a common early symptom of small cell lung cancer. Most patients have irritating dry coughs. When the tumor grows to a certain extent and compresses the bronchus, a persistent, high-pitched metallic cough may occur. Cough is often accompanied by a small amount of mucus sputum, and purulent sputum may appear when secondary infection occurs.

Chest tightness and shortness of breath

The tumor causes bronchial stenosis, or the tumor metastasizes to the hilar or mediastinal lymph nodes. The enlarged lymph nodes compress the main bronchus or tracheal carina, causing the patient to experience symptoms of chest tightness and shortness of breath.

Coughing up blood

Most patients have blood in their sputum, or intermittent blood in their sputum; a few patients will experience severe hemoptysis due to cancer cells eroding large blood vessels.

Chest pain

When the tumor expands in the chest cavity and invades the pleura, ribs or chest wall, it will cause chest pain symptoms of varying degrees.

Dizziness and headache

When the vena cava is compressed or blocked by a tumor thrombus in the cavity, the patient will experience edema on the face, neck and upper limbs, distended jugular veins, congestion and varicose veins in the chest, and may also cause symptoms such as dizziness, swelling of the head and headache.

Difficulty swallowing

When the tumor invades or compresses the esophagus, it can cause difficulty in swallowing.

Hoarseness

When the tumor directly compresses the recurrent laryngeal nerve, the patient's voice will become hoarse. Hoarseness may also occur when the cancer metastasizes to the lymph nodes and compresses the recurrent laryngeal nerve.

Lung infection

Tumors block the airways and cause lung infections, with inflammation often occurring repeatedly in the same area. This condition is also called obstructive pneumonia.

Prevention methods:

Prevention of lung cancer is better than cure, and prevention is mainly divided into three levels.

Prevention is aimed at healthy people, mainly including not smoking, staying away from secondhand smoke pollution. Try to avoid outdoor air pollution and kitchen fumes. Choose environmentally friendly decoration materials. Eat a balanced diet, eat more grains, vegetables, and fruits. Maintain an optimistic and positive attitude towards life and improve psychological adaptability.

Prevention means restorative prevention. Lung cancer patients should follow the doctor's advice and go to the hospital for regular check-ups.