The lungs are composed of a complex network of lymph and blood vessels. Cancer cells many develop in these vessels and get transported to other parts of the body through the lymph or blood. Cancer from the lungs may spread to the liver, bone marrow or brain. It could take several years for lung cancer to develop fully. Lung cancer is more common among women. There are two categories of lung cancer, namely small cell and non-small cell cancer. In small cell cancer, the cancer cells are present in the lung tissues. It is common in people who smoke. Majority of the cases of lung cancer are caused by smoking since cigarette smoke contains several carcinogens. Non-small cell lung cancer may occur in people who used to previously smoke or those who are exposed to passive smoking. Exposure to radon may also increase the risk of non-small cell lung cancer. One of the. Other signs and symptoms include shortness of breath, appetite loss, difficulty while swallowing, fever, swelling of the joints, tenderness of the bones, weight loss and presence of blood in the phlegm. The more cigarettes an individual smokes per day, the higher the risk of lung cancer. Individuals who begin smoking at an early age are also more vulnerable to this condition.
Lung phlegm may also result from other illnesses such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD, asthma and bronchitis. Therefore a proper diagnosis is necessary in order to determine the exact cause of the excess phlegm. Even minor conditions such as the common cold would lead to excess phlegm production. Mucus or phlegm is produced by the mucus membranes of the respiratory tract in an attempt to rid the body of invading foreign particles. It is important to treat phlegm in the lungs immediately since a delayed treatment could lead to an inflammation and infection of the bronchial tubes. Expectorants are usually prescribed in the treatment of excess phlegm. One may also increase the intake of fluids as this will loosen the phlegm and prevent congestion. In case of lung cancer, surgery may be required. Surgical methods are generally used in the early stages of the condition in order to extract the cancerous masses of tissue. Radiation therapy may also be used in conjunction with chemotherapy. The best way to prevent lung cancer is to avoid smoking and inhaling second-hand smoke.
answered by G M