Best Lung Cancer Surgery and Lung Cancer Treatment in Mumbai

Lung Cancer Treatment in Mumbai

Lung cancer continues to pose a serious threat to global health, with the disease affecting four to five people and claiming three to four lives every minute worldwide. India is witnessing an alarming rise in lung cancer cases, especially among never-smokers, possibly due to air pollution exposure. Lung cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the lungs, but it can spread to other regions of the body. Avoiding risk factors and adopting a healthier lifestyle can help prevent or reduce your chances of developing lung cancer.

A diagnosis of lung cancer can make you and your loved ones feel overwhelmed. The Lung Cancer Program at Fortis Hospital, Mulund, offers comprehensive care in a compassionate environment to people with lung cancer.
You’ll receive care from a world-class team of lung cancer specialists who can accurately diagnose and recommend a treatment plan suited to your specific needs and goals.

Read on to learn more about lung cancer, who is at most risk, how to recognize the symptoms of this debilitating condition, and the treatment options available.

What is lung cancer?

Lung cancer, which is one of the most common cancers in both men and women, develops when cells in either the lungs or the bronchi (the airways that lead from the trachea to the lungs) grow and divide uncontrollably. These cells can damage surrounding tissue and cause masses or tumours, eventually preventing your organs from functioning as they should. Lung cancer can be either primary (if cancer originates in the lungs) or secondary (if cancer spreads to the lungs from another part of the body).

What causes lung cancer and who is more likely to get it?

Lung cancer occurs when cells in the lungs develop changes in their DNA. This results in uncontrolled cell growth and division. While it’s not clear what causes these DNA changes that advance to cancer in some people, experts believe that certain factors, such as cigarette smoking, play a major role in cell damage that can lead to lung cancer.

Anyone can get lung cancer, although people who smoke have the highest risk. Perhaps, the number of people being diagnosed with the disease who have never smoked is on the rise, with air pollution as a significant risk factor. 
Risk factors for lung cancer include:
•    Tobacco smoking
•    Exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke
•    Exposure to air pollution and other harmful substances such as asbestos, radon gas, arsenic, uranium, silica, etc.
•    A family history of lung cancer and genetic mutations
•    Previous radiation therapy to the chest

What are the signs and symptoms of lung cancer?

Lung cancer often doesn’t cause symptoms until it has advanced to a later stage. This means, cancer can grow in your body for months or even years without you knowing. This is why screening for lung cancer is important if you are at risk, to avoid a delayed diagnosis.

Early signs and symptoms of lung cancer, if they do occur, may include:
•    A cough that does not go away or worsens
•    Coughing up blood
•    Wheezing
•    Difficulty breathing
•    Shortness of breath
•    Chest, shoulder or back pain
•    Fatigue
•    Frequent chest infections - pneumonia, bronchitis
•    A hoarse voice
•    Unexplained weight loss
•    A reduced appetite
As the tumour begins to spread, you may experience more severe symptoms such as:
•    Headache
•    Dizziness
•    Nausea
•    Bone pain in the ribs, hips or back
•    Jaundice
•    Lumps in the neck or collarbone
•    Swelling in the face, neck, or upper body

Make an appointment with your doctor if you notice any of these symptoms or a change that concerns you, as treatment is most effective if the cancer is detected early.

How common is lung cancer in India?

A study published in the Indian Journal of Medical Research reported that lung cancer is the most common cancer among men in India, with the disease accounting for 8% of cancer-related mortality. According to the study, most lung cancer patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage - causing nearly 60,000 annual deaths from the disease. Experts suggested that early detection through lung cancer screening (particularly in high-risk populations) can increase the chances of successful treatment and result in curative therapies, improving survival.

Latest data from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) showed that worldwide, lung cancer remained the top cause of cancer-related mortality for a decade. Screening of high-risk groups, early diagnosis, and effective treatments can reverse this growing trend and improve disease outcomes.

What are the main types of lung cancer?

Lung cancer is categorized into two main types: Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC) and Non-small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC).

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC): This type of lung cancer, which accounts for about 10-15% of all cases, grows and spreads more quickly compared to non-small cell lung cancer. Most people with SCLC are diagnosed when the cancer is already at an advanced stage, making it harder to treat and less likely to be cured. SCLC usually affects people who have smoked for years. Small cell lung cancer is sub-categorized into two: small cell carcinoma (also called oat cell carcinoma) and combined small cell carcinoma.

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): Non-small cell lung cancer has a better prognosis than small cell lung cancer, if detected early. This type of lung cancer spreads more slowly than small cell lung cancer. Non-small cell lung cancer cases account for more than 80% of all cases. NSCLC consists of various subtypes, which develop from different types of lung cells. The three main subtypes include:
Adenocarcinoma, large cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma.

Other types of cancer in the lungs include:
•    Mesothelioma – a rare type of cancer that affects the lining of the chest.
•    Metastasized cancer – cancers that start from other parts of the body have spread to the lungs through the bloodstream or lymphatic system. 
•    Certain lung tumours such as sarcoma, lymphoma, carcinoid, pancoast, etc.

How do doctors diagnose and stage lung cancer?

Diagnosis of lung cancer

Lung cancer diagnosis involves multiple steps, starting with your provider listening to your symptoms, reviewing your medical history, and conducting a physical examination. 
Your doctor may ask you to do some blood tests and a chest X-ray.

If these tests show that you may have lung cancer, your doctor may order additional tests, including:
•    Imaging tests such as MRI, CT and PET scans – to visualize the inside of the body, and observe the location and size of the tumour.
•    Sputum cytology – a microscopic study of sputum or mucus coughed up from the lungs to detect cancer cells.
•    Biopsies – a small sample of tissue or fluid from the suspicious growth in the lung is removed for microscopic examination to confirm a diagnosis of lung cancer. Doctors can perform biopsies of lung cancer in several ways:
•    Bronchoscopy
•    Needle biopsy
•    Endoscopic ultrasound
•    Mediastinoscopy

Stages of lung cancer

If the tests confirm that you have lung cancer, the next step is to find out the size, and if the tumour has spread to nearby lymph nodes or other organs – this process is called staging, which is a crucial step in deciding the best course of treatment.
At Fortis Hospital, Mulund, our experts, including lung specialists, thoracic surgeons, and radiologists will plan imaging tests - MRI, CT, PET scan and bone scans - to determine the stage of cancer as soon as possible.
Generally, lung cancer is staged as:
•    Stage 0 – the earliest stage of cancer, which occurs in the top lining of the lung or bronchus and hasn’t spread. It is also called carcinoma in-situ.
•    Stage I – cancer hasn’t spread outside the lung.
•    Stage II – cancer has grown larger and may be spreading to nearby lymph nodes.
•    Stage III – cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes or structures.
•    Stage IV – cancer is advanced and has spread from the lungs to other areas of the body. It is also metastatic lung cancer.

Doctors stage small cell lung cancer as:

•    Limited stage – cancer cells affect one lung and possibly nearby lymph nodes.
•    Extensive stage – cancer has spread to the other lung or other parts of the body.

What are the options for lung cancer treatment ?

Treatment will vary from person to person, depending on many factors - the type, location, and stage of lung cancer. Your care team will also consider your preferences and overall health while recommending a treatment plan. While early-stage lung cancers can be treated with surgery, which may combine with other therapies in some cases, treatments such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy and targeted drug therapy can help relieve symptoms and improve quality of life in people diagnosed at a later stage.

At Fortis Hospital, Mulund, specialists from the Lung Cancer Program will create a customized plan based on each individual’s unique needs, using the most advanced treatments available for lung cancer. Our doctors are experts in treating all types of lung cancer, including the rare and complex ones.

Treatment options may include:
Surgery:  For early-stage lung cancer, surgery may be a good option to remove or cure the tumour. In some cases, chemotherapy or radiation therapy may be used before or after surgery for better outcomes. 
Lung cancer surgery may be performed in different ways:
•    Lobectomy – removing the entire lobe of one lung
•    Pneumonectomy  - removing the entire lung
•    Wedge resection – removing a small part of the lung
•    Segmental resection – removing one or more segments of a lobe

Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy, which uses strong medicines to shrink or kill cancer cells, can be used alone or in combination with other therapies such as radiation therapy or immunotherapy. It can be given before surgery to shrink the tumour or after the procedure to kill cancer cells that cannot be removed with surgery.
Radiation therapy: This type of treatment uses high-energy x-rays to destroy cancer cells. It can be given alone or combined with chemotherapy. Radiation is also given before or after lung cancer surgery. Radiation is used as a palliative care in patients with advanced lung cancer to provide relief from symptoms and improve quality of life.
Radiofrequency ablation: This technique generates heat, using high-energy radio waves, to destroy cancer cells.
Targeted and immunotherapy therapies: Targeted drugs target a specific area that may be causing cancer cells to grow and thrive. Immunotherapy uses drugs that help the body’s immune system identify and fight cancer cells.
Palliative care: This treatment aims to relieve pain and other symptoms. Palliative care, which can be given at any stage of lung cancer, along with other therapies, can significantly improve patients’ quality of life and outcomes.

What are the potential side effects of lung cancer treatments and how can I manage them?

Lung cancer treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy can cause many side effects, including:
•    Diarrhea
•    Nausea and vomiting
•    Hair loss
•    Fatigue
•    Joint pain
•    Changes in the skin
•    Cough
•    Shortness of breath
•    Chest wall pain
Most of these side effects are common and often can be managed effectively with medications and lifestyle changes. Your care team can advise you on how to manage pain and other side effects of lung cancer treatment.

What can I do to prevent lung cancer?

There’s no single, conclusive evidence to prevent lung cancer. However, you can take measures and make healthier lifestyle choices to help prevent or reduce your risk of developing lung cancer. These include:
•    Eating a balanced diet with a variety of fruits and vegetables.
•    Exercising most days to the week and maintaining a healthy weight.
•    Not smoking - or taking steps to quit if you do smoke.
•    Avoiding secondhand smoke and other harmful substances that cause lung cancer.
•    Getting screened for lung cancer, if you’re at risk.

Bottom Line

Lung cancer is a life-threatening disease, as most people don’t have symptoms in the early stages, making it difficult to treat. Living with this condition can be a challenging experience, bringing up a flood of emotions you’ve never felt before. However, progressive therapies and a multidisciplinary approach to disease management have significantly improved the outcomes, allowing many advanced-stage patients to lead better and longer lives.

An important thing to remember is that your prognosis will depend on various factors – such as the type and stage of lung cancer, how quickly you receive care, whether your condition is responding well to treatment, your age, and overall health. 
Learning about lung cancer, including the symptoms and risk factors, as well as taking steps that priorities prevention, can go a long way in preventing lung cancer.