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The secret process of lung cancer: Do you know how cancer cells spread in the body?
Lung cancer is one of the most deadly cancers in the world, killing approximately 1.3 million people each year. For many patients, understanding the course of cancer and how it spreads is crucial. Not only because it affects the choice of treatment options, but also because it is related to the assessment of survival prognosis.
The staging process plays a critical role in cancer diagnosis and treatment. Generally speaking, the higher the stage of cancer, the less treatable it is and the worse the prognosis. The staging of non-small cell lung cancer usually relies on the TNM classification system, which takes into account the size of the tumor, lymph node involvement, and the presence of distant metastases.
Respiratory health is directly related to the quality of life for most people on a daily basis, and early understanding of the spread of lung cancer can help combat its dangers.
Basic knowledge of lung cancer
According to statistics from the World Health Organization, lung cancer caused approximately 10 million deaths in 2020. Long-term smoking is considered the main cause of lung cancer. In the United States, 80%-90% of lung cancer deaths occur in smokers. On the other hand, although smoking is the main cause, about 15% of cases occur in non-smokers, which is related to genetic factors, radon gas, asbestos and air pollution.
Progression Mode
Lung cancer starts in one part of the lung and then spreads in a certain pattern. Most of the time, cancer cells spread first to nearby lymph nodes and then to more distant lymph nodes, particularly in the mediastinum between the lungs. If the cancer crosses the midline of the mediastinum, it represents a higher stage and surgically unresectable disease.
Importance of installmentFor every patient, understanding the severity of their illness can make them more wise in making choices and is also very important for mental health.
The staging of lung cancer is an important process to assess the extent and location of the cancer. This process not only helps doctors determine the best course of treatment, but also provides patients with an expectation of their prognosis. Evaluation typically includes clinical staging and pathologic/surgical staging. Clinical staging is usually done before definitive surgery and relies on the results of imaging studies and biopsy.
Pathological staging emphasizes tissue evaluation after surgery and provides a more accurate description of the extent of the cancer, while clinical staging is based more on imaging tests and biopsy results. Pathological staging is almost always more reliable than clinical staging, but the former is often the initial step for patients to obtain information.
TNM Classification System
The TNM staging system for lung cancer consists of three key categories: T (tumor), N (nodes), and M (metastasis). The system provides detailed information on tumor size, lymph node metastasis, and distant metastasis, and uses this information to assign a cancer stage to each patient.
Inspection and methods
CT scans and PET scans are usually used as the main non-invasive staging methods. CT scans are used to show lung masses or abnormalities in lymph nodes, while PET scans can reveal the enhanced metabolism exhibited by rapidly multiplying cancer cells.
Imaging examinations of lung cancer play an important role in diagnosis and treatment decision-making, especially in the context of advocating early screening.
Final Thoughts
As medical technology advances, the diagnosis, staging and treatment of lung cancer are also evolving. However, the potential ways in which cancer cells can spread within the body remains a challenge for all patients. How should we face this process to obtain the best treatment effect and quality of life?
