Lung canceris described based on where the disease originated.
Cancer that starts in the lungs and is unrelated to any previous cancer is called primary lung cancer.
“Your healthcare provider probably won’t use the word “primary” to describe it.
Illustration by Brianna Gilmartin, Verywell
General cancer-related symptoms including fatigue,unexplained weight loss, and decreased appetite are common.
These cells can settle in other organs or regions of the body and begin to grow new tumors.
This process is calledmetastasis.
Lung cancer in the brain is considered secondary brain cancer.
In 40% of people newlydiagnosed with lung cancer, tumors have already metastasized elsewhere.
Cancer thatoriginates in the breast and spreads to the lungs, for instance, falls into this category.
Here, cancerous breast cells, rather than cancerous lung cells, are what form the lung tumor.
The same follows for secondary lung cancer due to metastatic liver cancer or pancreatic cancer.
Cancer first appears in one lung.
Technically speaking, if cancer spreads to the other lung, the new tumor is considered secondary lung cancer.
It will be referred to as a lung metastasis from primary lung cancer.
Symptoms of secondary lung cancer are the same as the symptoms of primary lung cancer.
Treatment of Secondary Lung Cancer
Secondary lung cancer may require different treatment approaches than primary lung cancer.
Chemotherapy is often the first course of treatment for cancer metastatic to the lung.
Other treatment options may be used, depending on the primary cancer.
Options may includetargeted therapies,immunotherapy, or a combination of treatments.
Palliative therapy may be used to reduce pain or help manage other symptoms.
It can extend survival and improve your quality of life, but it is not offered as a cure.
Some cancer treatments can also increase your chances of second primary cancers.
The recommended course depends on the key in of cancer andwhat stage it has reached.
Actually, it is understandable when you consider that the risk factors for both primary tumors are the same.
In this scenario, both tumors would be considered primary lung cancers.
It can be difficult at first to know whether two cancers like this are related.
Cancer of Unknown Primary Cause
Healthcare providers cant always determine the origin of a lung cancer tumor.
However, even without that information, your healthcare provider may determine treatments whichtreatmentswould be best for you.
Summary
Lung cancer types are defined by where the cancer starts.
Treatment for secondary lung cancer often focuses on the primary cancer.
National Cancer Institute.Primary Cancer.
American Cancer Society.What Causes Lung Cancer?.
American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of lung cancer.
American Cancer Society.Signs and Symptoms of Lung Cancer.
Riihimaki M, Hemminki A, Fallah M, et al.Metastatic sites and survival in lung cancer.Lung Cancer.
2019;11(3).
2015;12(1):79-84.doi:10.1513/AnnalsATS.201406-261OC
National Cancer Institute.Second primary cancer.
El-telbany A, Ma PC.Cancer genes in lung cancer: racial disparities: are there any?.Genes Cancer.
2012;3(7-8):467-80. doi:10.1177%2F1947601912465177
American Cancer Society.What Is a Cancer of Unknown Primary?
National Cancer Institute.Carcinoma of Unknown Primary Treatment - Health Professional Version.
