Dr. Peush Bajpai, Senior Director & Unit Head Medical Oncology, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Dwarka, Delhi
For many years, a diagnosis of lung cancer was often associated with limited treatment options and poor outcomes. This picture has changed significantly. Advances in early detection, precision medicine, targeted therapy, immunotherapy and modern radiation techniques have improved treatment options and outcomes for many patients.
One of the biggest challenges, however, remains late diagnosis. Lung cancer is often detected at an advanced stage, when treatment becomes more complex. When diagnosed early, selected patients can potentially be cured with treatments such as surgery or radiation therapy.
Symptoms such as a persistent cough lasting more than three weeks, coughing up blood, unexplained breathlessness, chest pain, persistent hoarseness, unexplained weight loss or recurrent chest infections should not be ignored. These symptoms can have several causes, but persistent or unexplained changes should be evaluated by a doctor.
High-risk individuals should also discuss lung cancer screening with their doctor rather than waiting for symptoms. For appropriately selected people at high risk, low-dose CT (LDCT) can help detect lung cancer at an earlier stage.
Treatment has also evolved considerably. Surgery remains an important treatment for early-stage lung cancer, while advances in radiation therapy allow more precise treatment of tumours while limiting exposure to surrounding healthy tissue.
For advanced disease, treatment is no longer limited to chemotherapy. Targeted therapies and immunotherapy have transformed care for patients with specific tumour characteristics. Newer approaches, including antibody-drug conjugates and other precision treatments, are further expanding options for selected patients.
Cancer care also goes beyond treating the tumour. Good nutrition, pulmonary rehabilitation, pain management, psychological support and effective management of treatment-related side effects can significantly contribute to a patient’s quality of life.
The most important step to reduce the risk of lung cancer remains quitting smoking. It is never too late to quit, and stopping smoking can reduce future health risks.
Lung cancer today is a disease with many more treatment options than in the past. Awareness, appropriate screening, early diagnosis and access to the right treatment can make a significant difference to patient outcomes.
