Interview With The Pro’s: Dr. Erick Schmidt – What is Lung Cancer

We sat down with Dr. Erick Schmidt of Medical Offices of Manhattan and discussed what lung cancer is, what causes it, how it can be treated and how it can even be prevented.

 

What is lung cancer?

Lung cancers are typically invasive lesions in the lung that can either be primary lesions, meaning they originated in the lung, or secondary lesions meaning they occurred elsewhere and metastasized to the lung.

 

What are the risk factors for lung cancer?

The main risk factor for primary lung cancer is smoking. Other risk factors include exposure to cancer causing agents and particles such as radon and asbestos.

 

What are the signs & symptoms?

The most common clinical manifestations of lung cancer at presentation are cough, including coughing up blood, and shortness of breath. Asymptomatic patients may come to clinical attention as an incidental finding during imaging for other purposes. Symptoms often represent advanced disease

 

How does smoking cause lung cancer?

Smoking causes the release of chemicals that lead to genetic damage inside the cells of your lung. The cells will try to repair this damage but can eventually lose the battle and cancer will emerge

 

What testing can be done to diagnose lung cancer?

Every patient with suspected lung cancer should undergo a computed tomography (CT) scan of the chest and upper abdomen to evaluate the extent of the primary tumor and potential spread to other areas of the body

 

Steps that can be taken to prevent lung cancer?

Smoking cessation is by far the most important measure to reduce the risk of lung cancer. Guidelines suggest screening with a low dose CT scan in adults between the age 50 to 80 years who have a 20 pack year smoking history (ex 1 pack a day for 20 years).

 

You can book a Lung CT Scan using Labfinder. Simple booking, easy access to test results.