How Lung Cancer Affects the Body

Types of Lung Cancer

      The type of lung cancer will determine how quickly it will spread and take a toll on the body.

      The types of lung cancer are treated differently. The most common types are named for how the lung cancer cells look under a microscope:

      Small cell lung cancer: About 13 percent of lung cancers are small cell lung cancers. This type tends to spread quickly.

      Non-small cell lung cancer: Most lung cancers, about 87 percent, are non-small cell lung cancers. This type spreads more slowly than small cell lung cancer.

      To find out what stage the cancer is in, your doctor will measure the lump, check to see if the cancer has spread and perform tests such as bone and lung scans and tissue or bone biopsies. The results of the tests will help you and your doctor decide on a treatment plan.

How Lung Cancer Affects the Body

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      Besides the symptoms of lung cancer, which are generally due to the direct effects of the primary tumor to effects of metastatic tumors in other parts of the body or to disturbances of hormones, blood or other systems caused by the cancer, there are other issues that affect the body due to treatment depending on the type of lung cancer and whether or not it is metastatic lung cancer. The effects on the body include:

      Lung cancer most often spreads to the liver, the adrenal glands, the bones and the brain.

      Metastatic lung cancer in the liver usually does not cause symptoms, at least by the time of diagnosis.

      Metastatic lung cancer in the adrenal glands also typically causes no symptoms by the time of diagnosis.

      Metastasis to the bones is most common with small cell cancers but also occurs with other lung cancer types. Lung cancer that has metastasized to the bone causes bone pain, usually in the backbone (vertebrae), the thighbones and the ribs.

      Lung cancer that spreads to the brain can cause difficulties with vision, weakness on one side of the body and/or seizures.

Radiation and Chemotherapy

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      Depending on the stage of the lung cancer and the growth of the tumor, the doctor may suggest chemotherapy or radiation.

      Chemotherapy uses chemicals that travel through the bloodstream. It affects both cancerous and healthy cells. This accounts for the many well-known side effects of chemotherapy, including nausea and vomiting, hair loss, skin problems, mouth sores and fatigue.

      Radiation therapy does not affect cells throughout the body the way chemotherapy does. However, it does affect healthy tissues overlying or directly adjacent to the tumor. To a certain extent, the side effects of radiation depend on which part of the body is targeted with radiation.

      Surgery is another alternative. It is the preferred treatment for patients with early stage NSCLC. Unfortunately, 60 to 80 percent of all patients who have advanced or metastatic disease are not suitable for surgery. Surgery has it benefits but it takes a toll on the patient. Many people experience pain, weakness, fatigue and shortness of breath after surgery. Most have problems moving around, coughing and breathing deeply. The recovery period can be several weeks or even months.