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Squamous cell carcinoma in the lungs is a type of small cell lung cancer. The cancer starts in the squamous cells; these cells are thin flat and look like fish scales. The most common cause of this type of cancer is due to smoking. There are other factors that could put you at risk of getting squamous cell carcinoma. These are passive smoking, radiation therapy to the chest or breast, exposure to asbestos, tar, radon, chromium, arsenic, soot and nickel, as well as living in severely air polluted places.

Lung cancer is sometimes without any symptoms and may be found in a chest x-ray done for some other condition. Symptoms if any, can be chest pain or discomfort, wheezing, difficulty in breathing, hoarseness, loss in appetite, sudden weight loss, trouble swallowing, blood in coughed up mucus and swelling of the face, veins or neck.

Squamous cell carcinoma in the lungs can be divided in to 4 stages, these are:

• Stage I: The cancer is only in the lungs
• Stage II: It has spread either to the lymph nodes, the lining of the lungs or in a certain area of the bronchus.
• Stage III: It has spread to the tissue surrounding the lungs
• Stage IV: The cancer has spread to another part or parts of the body.

In order to diagnose squamous cell carcinoma, a number of tests and procedures will have to be performed. Radiation therapy, surgery, chemotherapy or a combination of these may be required to treat squamous cell carcinoma in the lungs. Apart from these treatments, there are some things that you can do at home to be alleviate some of the symptoms –

• Yoga: Can help people with cancer sleep better. The combination of deep breathing exercises, gentle stretching and meditation can help ease the shortness of breath symptom that is common in this condition. Learning from certified yoga instructor is strongly advised.
• Meditation: Meditating can help improve the quality of life and reduce stress for people with cancer. This can either be done at home or a local meditation hall.
• Diet: It helps to eat small and frequent meals to avoid shortness of breath. Drink sufficient amounts of water throughout the day. Avoid fatty, greasy and rich food. Eat foods that are low in fat.

Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.