Metastatic Lung Cancer

Uncontrolled and abnormal growth of cells in the lungs or growth of malignant tumors in the lungs is known as 'lung cancer'. Benign tumors are easy to remove as they don't spread to other parts of the body but malignant tumors are aggressive by nature and they invade nearby lymph nodes, tissues and organs. They can even attack and destroy distant organs. Tumor cells are transferred to other sites in the body through bloodstream or the lymphatic system. When the malignant tumor originated in lung spreads to other sites, the condition is referred to as 'metastatic lung cancer'. As the cancer metastasizes, it is referred to as advanced stage cancer. Metastasis of lung cancer takes place during stage III and IV.

Advanced Stage Lung Cancer Symptoms

Smoking or exposure to tobacco (passive smoking), air pollution, increase the risk of having lung cancer. There are various types of lung cancer. Studies show that in about 90-95% cases, lung cancer develops in the cells present in the lining of the bronchi and bronchioles (airways). It may develop in the pleura (mesotheliomas) or in the supporting tissues or blood vessels. The cancer spreads to other body parts relatively more quickly, once it is formed. Metastasis of the cancer can be seen in any part of the body, but the most common sites of metastasis are bones, brain, liver and adrenal glands. As filtered blood from the lungs is passed on to the body parts, chances of metastasis of lung cancer are comparatively high.

Early signs of lung cancer are more likely to go unnoticed. In the preliminary or early stage, symptoms like chronic cough, breathing difficulty, blood in sputum, pain in the chest, shoulders, arms or back, bronchitis or prolonged pneumonia, lung infection, loss of appetite, joint pain, etc. can be present. Some patients do not notice any symptoms until the cancer gets detected in routine tests or x-rays.

When the cancer spreads to the adjoining tissues or structures, or to distant bones, following symptoms can be seen.

• Constant cough
• Wheezing, breathing difficulty
• Blood in sputum
• Chest pain
• Shoulder pain
• Pain in the arm
• Dysfunction of vocal cords resulting in hoarseness
• Damage to some part of the lung leads to increased number of lung infections, abscesses, etc.
• Pneumonia
• Excessive weight loss
• Excessive fatigue
• Mood swings, depression
• Difficulty swallowing
• Excruciating pain at the sites where the cancer has spread into bones
• Overproduction of hormone cortisol by the adrenal glands (Cushing's syndrome)
• High blood calcium levels
• When the cancer spreads into the brain, symptoms like blurred vision, headaches, seizures are seen.
• Spread of cancer into the brain may exhibit symptoms of stroke like weakness or loss of sensation in parts of the body.

Advanced Stage Lung Cancer Prognosis

Lung cancer is one of the most difficult cancers to treat. Doctors check the symptoms, refer to the chest X rays, CT scans, bone scans, test results (for example, sputum cytology), biopsy reports and then determine the treatment. Since the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, it is impossible to remove the cancer surgically. It is even difficult to control the growth of cancer. Still, depending upon the symptoms and the extent to which the cancer has spread in the body, chemotherapy and radiation therapy are recommended. Brain radiation to treat very early spread to the brain is also recommended. Metastatic lung cancer treatment may result in short-term memory problems, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, hair loss and other side effects. When the cancer is in the advanced stage, treatment is focused on lowering the pain experienced by the patient.

The overall five-year survival rate for lung cancer is about 16% which is very low, when compared to other cancers. The prognosis of metastatic lung cancer is very poor as the survival rate for advanced lung cancer is very low. Survival time of untreated patients of advanced lung cancer is only 2-4 months after diagnosis as this is a fast spreading cancer. With treatment, the survival time can be extended for a few months only. Patients who survive for five years or more usually have lung cancer confined to the lung, detected at early stage. Routine checkup is therefore necessary as it helps detect serious diseases and disorders in early stage and thus helps increase the life expectancy of the patient.