How Do You Know If You Have Stage 1 Lung Cancer?

Finding out you have lung cancer is devastating news, regardless of the stage. When you find out you have cancer, even in its early stages, you can be shocked. On the other hand, the prognosis for stage 1 lung cancer is excellent following tumour removal. For people in need of professional care, Dr. Harsh Vardhan Puri provides excellent lung cancer therapy. Throughout your treatment journey, you will receive the finest possible care and support thanks to his experience and patient-centred approach.

Stage I Lung cancer is the earliest stage of the illness. It seems that the aberrant cells in your airways caused the cancer to emerge. But the tumour is still inside your lung and hasn’t spread to your lymph nodes yet. Stage I lung cancer is sometimes referred to as the early stages. Most people may expect to live for five years or longer, and most diseases are treatable. 18001801290

Lung cancer is among the most common kinds of cancer overall. In stage 1 lung cancer, the tumours are relatively tiny and have not migrated to other parts of the body. Contrary to what its name implies, it is the second-earliest stage of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Symptoms of stage 1 lung cancer usually do not show up right away. It is for this reason that only 12% to 15% of NSCLCs are found at this stage. When early intervention is used, most often in the form of surgery to remove the cancer, the prognosis is favourable. Stage 1 lung cancer is frequently treatable.

Classification and Types Of Stages

Nine out of 10 individuals with lung cancer have non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Lung cancer with small cells is more rare and aggressive. The numbered phases are used more frequently in NSCLC.

Your physician will use the three critical TNM variables to identify the stage of your cancer:

• Tumour (T). What is the size and location of the tumour?
• Nodes (N). Are any of the surrounding lymph nodes cancerous?
• Metastatic process (M). Since its first discovery, how far has cancer progressed?

Stage 1 Lung Cancer Subtypes

Physicians differentiate between two main subgroups of stage I non-small-cell lung cancer, based mostly on tumour size.

This helps them choose the best course of action for treating your cancer and gauge its severity.

• IA Stage – Your tumour is only 3 cm in size and is found just inside your lung. That’s about the size of a walnut. This stage is subdivided based on the size of the tumour:
  • Stage IA1: Less than 1 centimetre or not very invasive
  • Stage IA2: The size is greater than 1 cm but less than 2 cm.
  • Stage IA3: The size is greater than 2 cm but less than 3 cm.

• IB stage – Cancer has not spread to your lymph nodes. There are two ways to measure Stage IB. The first is if the diameter of your tumour is greater than three but less than four centimetres. As an alternative, if your main tumour is any size up to 4 cm and at least one of the following scenarios applies to you:
  • Your cancer is in your main airway (the bronchus), not within two cm of the place where your windpipe splits to the left and right (the carina).
  • Cancer has invaded the surface membrane of your lung and spread there.
  • Your lung is inflamed or collapsed (pneumonitis).

Also Read: 7 Warning Signs of Lung Cancer

Stage 1 Lung Cancer Symptoms

Since the signs of stage 1 lung cancer are rarely noticeable until the disease has progressed, you may be unaware that you have early-stage lung cancer. Stage 1 lung cancer symptoms usually include a new cough or a cough that gets worse and produces blood or mucus tinged with blood.

• Discomfort in the ribs, shoulders, or chest
• a recent cough lasting three weeks or longer
• A worsening cough
• Throwing up blood or mucous that has blood on it
• Hoarse voice
• Tiredness or lack of energy
• Loss of appetite
• Exhaustion or weight loss
• Infections that linger or come back, including pneumonia or bronchitis
• Lingering shortness of breath
• Trouble swallowing

You should speak with Dr. Harsh Vardhan Puri as soon as possible about any symptoms. Your chances of survival are directly impacted by how soon your lung cancer is detected. Consult Dr. Harsh Vardhan Puri to explore your options and take the first step towards recovery.

Stage 1 Lung Cancer Treatment

The standard therapies for Stage 1 lung cancer include surgery, targeted therapy, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy if surgery is not an option.

Treatment for Stage 1 lung cancer frequently involves the following surgical procedures:

• Lobectomy: During a lobectomy, the surgeon removes the lung lobe affected by lung cancer. This is the procedure that is used the most frequently to treat lung cancer.
• Wedge resection: This procedure involves removing a small wedge-shaped part of the lung that surrounds the cancer.
• Segmental resection: Sometimes referred to as a segmentectomy, is the removal of one to four lung lobe segments. Each lung lobe is composed of two to five lung components.
• Sleeve resection: This treatment involves removing the cancerous lobe as well as a segment of the main bronchus that links it to the lung. The remaining end of the bronchus is then connected to an unaffected lobe.

Other Stage 1 Lung Cancer Treatment Options

• Targeted therapy: This type of cancer treatment uses drugs to target particular genes and proteins that are important for the initiation and spread of various lung cancer types. Targeted treatment might be used following surgery.
• Radiation treatment: Stereotactic body radiation therapy is one type of radiation therapy that may be recommended when surgery is not an option. Throughout many days, this radiation therapy accurately applies radiation to cancerous areas using specialised equipment. After surgery, certain patients with stage 1 lung cancer may get radiation therapy as part of a research study.
• Chemotherapy: Individuals with stage 1 lung cancer may get chemotherapy in addition to radiation treatment after surgery.

Prognosis And Survival Rate For Stage 1 Lung Cancer

When lung cancer is detected early, the prognosis is usually good. For individuals with NSCLC that haven’t moved beyond the lung, the five-year relative survival rate is 64%, according to the American Cancer Society. This indicates that five years following therapy, 64% of patients with localised lung cancer who received treatment recently were still alive.

Your experience will be unique, and survival rates are simply approximations. Because survival rates might be complicated, discuss your unique situation with Dr. Harsh Vardhan Puri.

Many factors, including the following, will determine your unique outlook:

• Your specific form of lung cancer, including the genetic mutations causing it,
• Any co-occurring major medical issues,
• The therapies you select, and how well they work for you

You will make it through your therapy if your physical and mental health remains good. Ask Dr. Harsh Vardhan Puri about your ailment to educate yourself. Understand your treatment choices and what to expect from them. You can ask about the goals of each treatment as well as any possible side effects and how to handle them. Your information will boost your confidence that you are going to receive the best possible therapy for your cancer.

Dr. Harsh Vardhan Puri can help you understand your condition and treatment choices thanks to his significant expertise in treating cancer. This will ensure that you are well informed and confident during your recovery path. With Dr. Harsh Vardhan Puri compassionate care, you are not alone in your struggle with lung cancer.

FAQ

1. What are the symptoms of stage 1 lung cancer?

Although stage 1 lung cancer rarely exhibits any visible symptoms, and when it does, they are often moderate and easily confused with other respiratory conditions. Common symptoms include wheezing, chest pain or discomfort that gets worse with deep breathing or coughing, shortness of breath, and a persistent cough that does not go away. It is possible for some people to lose weight accidentally or feel moderate exhaustion. Hemoptysis, or coughing up small amounts of blood, is a rare side effect. Screening is essential for early detection because many individuals at this early stage do not exhibit any symptoms.

2. Can stage 1 lung cancer be cured?

Indeed, stage 1 lung cancer is thought to be quite treatable and frequently cured, particularly with an early diagnosis. Surgery to remove the tumour is the main therapeutic option, and it is usually curative. Surgery might be enough if the cancer is contained within a small area and has not spread. To lower the chance of a recurrence, radiation therapy or chemotherapy may occasionally be suggested following surgery. With a 5-year survival rate of up to 80% for certain patients, stage 1 lung cancer has a comparatively good survival rate.

3. What are the first common signs of lung cancer?

Early lung cancer symptoms are frequently mild and might be confused with less serious illnesses like pneumonia or bronchitis. The most typical early symptoms are dyspnea, shortness of breath, and chest pain that gets worse when you cough or take deep breaths. Additional early warning indicators include weight loss that does not make sense, persistent exhaustion, hoarseness, and recurrent respiratory illnesses like pneumonia or bronchitis. Some people may discover that there is blood in their sputum or mucus. Since many cases in their early stages are, regrettably, asymptomatic, early detection and screening are essential. 

4. What are the symptoms of stage 1 cancer?

Stage 1 cancer symptoms depend on the type and location of the cancer but generally include localized signs. For example, in breast cancer, a lump or change in breast tissue may be present; in skin cancer, a new or changing mole may be a sign. Other general symptoms of early-stage cancer include unexplained weight loss, fatigue, pain or discomfort in a specific area, and changes in bowel or bladder habits. In many cases, stage 1 cancer might not cause noticeable symptoms, making regular screenings and early detection essential.

5. What is the biggest indicator of cancer?

The primary marker of cancer can vary, although it usually consists of enduring, inexplicable symptoms. Common warning indicators include persistent weariness, an inexplicable weight loss, and a lump or mass that does not go away. Unusual bleeding or discharge, altered bowel or bladder habits, a persistent cough, and changes in the appearance of moles on the skin are other warning signs. A healthcare provider should be consulted if you experience any unusual or persistent symptoms, as cancer signs are often mild or mimic other ailments.