फुफ्फुसाचा कर्करोग: दोन आठवड्यांपेक्षा जास्त खोकला, खोकल्यातून रक्त, धाप लागणे, वजन कमी होणे – ही लक्षणे दुर्लक्षित करू नका. आज अनेक रुग्णांना गोळ्यांच्या स्वरूपात टार्गेटेड थेरपी देता येते.
फेफड़ों का कैंसर: दो हफ्ते से ज़्यादा खांसी, खांसी में खून, सांस फूलना, वज़न घटना – इन लक्षणों को नज़रअंदाज़ न करें। आज कई मरीजों को गोलियों के रूप में टार्गेटेड थेरेपी दी जा सकती है।
Lung cancer is often mistaken for tuberculosis in India, which delays diagnosis by months. It affects smokers and non-smokers – many of our patients have never smoked.
Warning signs
- Cough lasting more than 2–3 weeks, or blood in sputum
- Breathlessness, chest pain, hoarse voice
- Loss of weight and appetite
- "TB treatment" that is not helping
How it is diagnosed
CT scan of the chest, a biopsy (CT-guided or bronchoscopic), and PET-CT for staging. Biomarker testing of the biopsy – EGFR, ALK, ROS1, PD-L1 and others – is essential, because it decides whether tablets (targeted therapy) or immunotherapy will work.
Treatment
- Targeted therapy tablets for EGFR, ALK and other mutations – often taken at home
- Immunotherapy based on PD-L1 and tumour type
- Chemotherapy, alone or with immunotherapy
- Coordination with surgery and radiotherapy for early-stage disease
- Symptom control: breathlessness, pain, fluid around the lung
Advice
If you have been on TB treatment without improvement, or have a lung shadow on X-ray, ask for a CT scan and a specialist opinion.