Cancer care at ZenHeal
Lung Cancer: symptoms, tests and treatment
Lung cancer is often mistaken for tuberculosis or a chest infection in India, which delays diagnosis. Smoking is the main cause, but non-smokers also get lung cancer. New targeted and immune therapies have improved outcomes, even in advanced stages.
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Warning signs of lung cancer
- A cough lasting more than 3 weeks, or a change in a long-standing cough
- Coughing up blood
- Breathlessness or chest pain
- Hoarse voice
- Weight loss and tiredness without a clear reason
- Repeated chest infections, or TB treatment that does not help
These signs often have other causes. If one lasts more than two to three weeks, see a doctor and get it checked.
Who is at higher risk
- Smoking cigarettes or bidis
- Second-hand smoke
- Smoke from chulha cooking fuel
- Air pollution
- Exposure to asbestos or industrial dust
- Family history
How lung cancer is diagnosed
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1
CT scan of the chest
Shows the size and position of a tumour more clearly than an X-ray.
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2
Biopsy
Taken through a CT-guided needle or a bronchoscopy to confirm cancer and its type.
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3
Molecular tests
Tests for EGFR, ALK, ROS1 and PD-L1 decide whether targeted drugs or immunotherapy will work.
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4
PET-CT
Checks for spread to lymph nodes, bones or other organs.
Treatment options
The right plan depends on the stage, the type of cancer and your overall health. Most patients receive more than one of these.
Targeted therapy
Tablets that block a specific gene change in the cancer, used when molecular tests are positive.
Immunotherapy
Drugs that help the immune system recognise and attack cancer cells.
Chemotherapy
Used alone or with immunotherapy, and with radiotherapy in some stages.
Radiotherapy
Treats the tumour in the chest, or relieves pain and breathlessness from spread.
Lung Cancer treatment at ZenHeal
Oncologists at ZenHeal arrange the biopsy and molecular tests, then plan chemotherapy, targeted therapy or radiotherapy at the hospital. Patients who need lung surgery are referred to a thoracic surgical centre and continue the rest of their treatment with us.
Doctors who treat lung cancer
Common questions about lung cancer
Both can cause cough, weight loss and blood in the sputum. If TB treatment does not improve symptoms within a few weeks, a CT scan and biopsy are needed to rule out cancer.
Yes, if the cancer has certain gene changes such as EGFR or ALK. That is why molecular testing on the biopsy matters.
Yes. Stopping smoking improves breathing, helps treatment work better and reduces side effects.
Other cancer types
Diagnosed or worried about lung cancer?
Upload your reports for a free review, or ask a ZenHeal oncologist to call you back.