Uncle Liu has always been healthy, almost never sick, and his physical strength has not decreased back then. However, on the eve of his seventieth birthday, fate played a cruel joke on him.
That day, Uncle Liu was chatting with a few friends in the shade of the tree, and in the laughter, he suddenly felt a throbbing pain in his left leg.
However, as time passed, the pain did not subside, but intensified, and when night fell, Uncle Liu lay on the bed, tossing and turning, making it impossible for him to sleep.
Unable to sit idly by in the face of this sudden pain, his son rushed him to the hospital overnight for an emergency examination. After a detailed examination, the doctors told Uncle Liu's son with a solemn face that Uncle Liu had been diagnosed with advanced lung cancer, and the cancer cells had metastasized to the bone.
This news was like a thunderbolt from the blue, which caught Uncle Liu's family off guard. Uncle Liu himself felt unbelievable, but his leg was a little painful, how could it be that it was an advanced stage of lung cancer?
01
The advent of lung cancer is not silent, reminder: there are 3 abnormalities in the legs, and it is recommended to check CT as soon as possible
Although the early symptoms of lung cancer are atypical, they are not traceless, and when these abnormalities are found in the legs, it is necessary to be alert in time that it may be caused by lung cancer.
Pain in both legs
As lung cancer progresses, tumour cells may metastasize to other parts of the body, such as the bones and brain. This metastasis can cause significant pain in the patient.
Early pain may be intermittent and relatively mild, and bed rest may relieve the pain. However, as the metastases continue to expand, the pain gradually worsens and persists. This pain is not only a pain for the patient, but also a clear sign of the deterioration of lung cancer.
Abnormal skin on the legs
Early lung cancer may induce paraneoplastic syndrome, a non-metastatic extrathoracic manifestation of lung cancer. When cancer cells release certain special hormones, antigens, or metabolites, the skin on the legs may become abnormal.
Conditions such as inflammation of the skin on the legs, scleroderma or acanthosis nigricans may be found, which are the "marks" left by lung cancer on the surface of the skin.
Swelling of the legs
When lung cancer spreads to lymph nodes, the lymphatic vessels may become blocked. Lymphatic fluid does not flow smoothly and accumulates in the body, resulting in an imbalance in osmotic pressure.
This imbalance can compress the nerves in the legs, causing the legs to swell continuously. This swelling is not only a clear sign of the spread of lung cancer, but also a sign of a severe decline in the patient's quality of life.
02
What are the other symptoms of lung cancer besides the symptoms on the legs?
The early symptoms of lung cancer are often insignificant and are easy to ignore. However, when the lung tissue is quietly invaded by the tumor, some subtle changes begin to occur quietly in the patient's body.
Chest pain, a symptom that is often mistaken for overwork or other causes, can be a silent warning of lung cancer. This pain often manifests as a dull or dull ache that can be unpredictable and unpredictable.
Shortness of breath is also a symptom that should not be ignored. As the tumor grows in the lungs, it begins to squeeze the lung tissue, causing the lungs to function gradually. Patients may experience significant shortness of breath and difficulty breathing with light activity or rest.
Cough can be one of the most common early symptoms of lung cancer. This cough is usually irritating and manifests as a dry cough or a cough with a small amount of phlegm. It may be especially noticeable in the morning when you wake up, or it may occur frequently at night, affecting the quality of your sleep.
Hemoptysis, although not common in lung cancer patients, when it appears, often means that the disease has progressed to a certain extent. Blood may mix into the sputum, appear pink foamy, or cough up blood.
In addition, hoarseness and difficulty swallowing are also symptoms that can be caused by lung cancer. When the tumor invades the recurrent laryngeal nerve or esophagus, patients may experience symptoms such as hoarseness, choking on water, and in severe cases, may even affect normal eating.
Although these symptoms are not specific, their appearance should not be ignored. For lung cancer, early detection and early treatment are undoubtedly the key to improving the cure rate and improving the quality of life of patients.
03
High-risk groups of lung cancer, have you been recruited?
People who smoke for a long time or are exposed to carcinogens
People who smoke for a long time or inhale secondhand smoke are undoubtedly at high risk of lung cancer. Nicotine, tar and other harmful substances in tobacco will unconsciously erode the health of the lungs and gradually accumulate into diseases.
In addition, workers who are chronically exposed to carcinogens such as asbestos, arsenic, and chromium are also potential victims of lung cancer. These substances invade the body without realizing it, causing irreparable damage to the lungs.
People with a family history of lung cancer
Familial genetic factors play an important role in the occurrence of lung cancer, and people with a family history of lung cancer have a significantly higher risk of developing lung cancer than the general population. Therefore, this group of people should be more vigilant and have regular physical examinations in order to detect lung abnormalities as soon as possible.
People with chronic lung disease
People with chronic lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and tuberculosis are also at high risk of lung cancer. These diseases can disrupt the normal structure of the lungs, reduce lung function, and make the lungs more susceptible to cancer-causing agents. Therefore, this group of people should actively treat the primary disease, improve the lung environment, and reduce the risk of lung cancer.
04
What are the ways to get tested for lung cancer?
X-rays
By taking a chest X-ray, the doctor can observe whether there are abnormal shadows or lumps in the lungs, so as to make a preliminary determination of the possibility of lung cancer. X-rays are the preferred method for lung cancer screening due to their ease of operation and low cost.
CT scan
CT scans can more accurately show lung structures, find smaller lesions, and can help doctors understand the location and size of the tumor and its relationship to surrounding tissues more intuitively through 3D reconstruction technology. CT scan is of great significance for the early detection and diagnosis of lung cancer.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
MRI uses magnetic fields and radiofrequency waves to show the structure of the lungs and surrounding tissues in more detail, which is of great value for assessing the extent of lung cancer invasion and formulating surgical plans.
Positron emission tomography (PET-CT)
It is of great significance for the diagnosis, staging and efficacy evaluation of lung cancer by injecting radiotracers and using positron emission tomography technology.
Cytology
By collecting sputum, pleural effusion, or tissue samples obtained by bronchoscopy, puncture, etc., and performing cytology, the presence of cancer cells can be observed, and the diagnosis of lung cancer can be confirmed. Cytology is the gold standard for the diagnosis of lung cancer and is of great significance for the accurate diagnosis of lung cancer.