Call
+918447748545

Published on: May 04, 2022
2 minute read
By: Second Medic Expert

Lung Cancer Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment

What Causes Lung Cancer?

There is no one answer to this question as lung cancer can be caused by a variety of things, including exposure to tobacco smoke, radon gas, asbestos fibers, and secondhand smoke. However, the most common cause of lung cancer is smoking cigarettes. In fact, smoking is responsible for about 85% of all lung cancer cases in the United States.

Symptoms of Lung Cancer

Lung cancer symptoms can differ depending on how advanced the disease is. In its early stages, lung cancer may not cause any symptoms at all. As it progresses, however, you may start to experience cough (with or without blood), chest pain, shortness of breath, trouble swallowing,

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in men and women in the United States. Smoking cigarettes is the main risk factor for developing lung cancer, but studies have shown that people who have never smoked cigarettes can also get lung cancer. The second leading cause of lung cancer is long-term exposure to radon gas. There are two main types of lung cancer, small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) and non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). The type of lung cancer you have will play a role in what treatment options are available to you.

Cigarette smoking is responsible for approximately 85% of all lung cancers. Lung cancer symptoms can be hard to identify in the early stages of the disease. Many times, people don’t experience any symptoms until the cancer has spread. When present, common symptoms of lung cancer include:

-A cough that doesn’t go away or gets worse over time

-Chest pain that is often worse with deep breathiing, coughing or laughing

-Hoarseness

Approximately 1 out of 3 cancer deaths in the US is caused by lung cancer. The two main types of lung cancer are small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) and non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). These two types of lung cancer differ in their histology, etiology, and response to treatment. Lung cancer can be caused by a number of risk factors, including smoking, asbestos exposure, air pollution, and radiation exposure. Smoking is by far the most important risk factor for developing lung cancer; it is estimated that about 90% of all lung cancers are due to smoking cigarettes.

While the exact cause of lung cancer is unknown, it is believed to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. The most common symptom of lung cancer is a cough that does not go away, but other symptoms may include shortness of breath, chest pain, or weight loss. If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s important to see your doctor right away so that they can rule out other potential causes and begin appropriate treatment.

There are two main types of lung cancer: non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC). NSCLC makes up around 85% of all lung cancers, while SCLC accounts for the remaining 15%. The two types differ in their cells' structure and how they grow.

Lung cancer symptoms can include a cough that does not go away, shortness of breath, chest pain, hoarseness, weight loss, and fatigue. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, and it is estimated that 1 in 8 men and 1 in 9 women will develop lung cancer in their lifetime. There are two main types of lung cancer: small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The most common symptom of lung cancer is a cough that does not go away, and other symptoms include shortness of breath, chest pain, hoarseness, weight loss, and fatigue.

Lung cancer causes more deaths than the next three most common cancers combined (colorectal, breast, and pancreatic). Smoking is by far the most important risk factor for lungcancer. Tobacco smoking is estimated to be responsible for 87% of lung cancer cases in men and 70% in women. The risk of developing lung cancer increases with the number of cigarettes smoked per day and the duration of smoking. Cigarette smokers have about 20 times the risk of developing lung cancer as compared to non-smokers.

Symptoms of lung cancer include coughing up blood, difficulty breathing, and persistent pain in the chest or shoulder. If you experience any of these symptoms, it's important to see a doctor right away. A diagnosis can be made through a combination of imaging tests (X-ray, CT scan, PET scan) and biopsies (removing tissue to examine under a microscope). Treatment options for lung cancer depend on the stage of the disease and can include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or targeted therapy.

Read Blog

TB disease symptoms

Tuberculosis (TB) remains one of the most significant infectious diseases worldwide, especially in developing countries. Despite advancements in diagnosis and treatment, TB continues to cause serious illness due to delayed detection. Understanding TB disease symptoms is essential because the condition often begins quietly, allowing infection to progress and spread before treatment starts.

According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the World Health Organization (WHO), early diagnosis and complete treatment are the most effective strategies to control TB and prevent drug resistance.

What Is Tuberculosis?

Tuberculosis is a bacterial infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It primarily affects the lungs (pulmonary TB) but can also involve other organs, known as extrapulmonary TB.

TB spreads through the air when an infected person:

coughs
sneezes
speaks
sings

Prolonged close contact increases transmission risk.

How TB Infection Progresses

TB infection progresses in stages:

Latent TB infection – bacteria remain inactive without symptoms
Active TB disease – bacteria multiply and cause symptoms

Only active TB causes illness and spreads infection.

Common TB Disease Symptoms

Persistent Cough

A cough lasting more than two weeks is the most common TB symptom.

Characteristics include:

continuous coughing
worsening over time
coughing up mucus or blood

Blood-streaked sputum is a serious warning sign.

Fever

TB-related fever is usually:

low-grade
persistent
worse in the evening

Fever may be accompanied by chills.

Night Sweats

Excessive sweating during sleep, even in cool environments, is a classic TB symptom.

Night sweats occur due to immune system activation against infection.

Unexplained Weight Loss

Significant weight loss without dieting is common.

TB causes:

reduced appetite
increased metabolic demand

Weight loss indicates advanced disease activity.

Fatigue and Weakness

Chronic fatigue is often one of the earliest symptoms.

People may experience:

low energy
weakness
reduced ability to work

Fatigue worsens as disease progresses.

Chest Pain and Breathlessness

Inflammation of lung tissue can cause:

chest discomfort
pain during breathing
shortness of breath

These symptoms indicate lung involvement.

Symptoms of Extrapulmonary TB

TB can affect organs beyond the lungs.

Lymph Node TB

painless swelling in neck or armpits
nodes may become firm or drain pus

Bone and Joint TB

persistent back pain
joint stiffness
difficulty walking

TB of the Brain (TB Meningitis)

severe headache
confusion
vomiting
neck stiffness

This is a medical emergency.

Abdominal TB

abdominal pain
swelling
altered bowel habits
unexplained fever

Why TB Symptoms Are Often Ignored

TB symptoms are overlooked because:

they develop gradually
they resemble common infections
fever and cough seem seasonal
weight loss is attributed to stress

Delay allows disease progression and transmission.

Who Is at Higher Risk of TB?

High-risk groups include:

people with weak immunity
individuals with diabetes
smokers
malnourished individuals
people living in crowded conditions
close contacts of TB patients

Regular screening is essential in high-risk populations.

Importance of Early Diagnosis

Early detection:

prevents disease spread
reduces lung damage
improves treatment success
lowers risk of drug-resistant TB

WHO reports that delayed diagnosis is a major cause of TB-related deaths.

How TB Is Diagnosed

Diagnosis may involve:

sputum tests
chest X-ray
molecular tests
blood investigations

Testing is guided by symptoms and clinical assessment.

Treatment and Recovery

TB is curable with:

timely diagnosis
complete treatment course
medication adherence

Incomplete treatment increases the risk of drug-resistant TB.

When to Seek Medical Attention

Consult a doctor immediately if:

cough lasts more than two weeks
fever persists
unexplained weight loss occurs
blood appears in sputum
fatigue worsens

Early evaluation saves lives.

Preventing TB Spread

Preventive measures include:

early diagnosis and treatment
proper cough hygiene
adequate ventilation
screening close contacts

Public health efforts rely on awareness and early action.

Long-Term Impact of Untreated TB

Untreated TB can lead to:

severe lung damage
spread to other organs
respiratory failure
death

TB is preventable and curable—but only if treated early.

Conclusion

TB disease symptoms often begin subtly but signal a serious, potentially life-threatening infection. Persistent cough, fever, night sweats, weight loss and fatigue should never be ignored. Recognising these symptoms early and seeking timely medical care not only improves recovery but also prevents transmission to others. TB remains a major public health challenge, but awareness, early diagnosis and complete treatment can save lives and stop its spread.

References

Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) – Tuberculosis Control and Research Report
National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP) – TB Guidelines India
World Health Organization (WHO) – Tuberculosis Fact Sheets and Management Guidelines
Lancet – Global Tuberculosis Burden and Outcomes Studies
National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) – TB Surveillance Dat
Indian Journal of Tuberculosis – Clinical Features and Diagnosis Studies

Request A Callback

+91

By using this website/app, I confirm that I am at least 18 years old and consent to the processing of my personal data in accordance with the Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, and Declaration.