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Neoplasm in the left lung. Benign lung tumors

Features of a benign tumor are that the tissues of the body are not destroyed, and there are no metastases.

Features of a malignant tumor are that it grows into the tissues of the body, while metastases appear. More than 25% of situations when a local form of a malignant tumor is diagnosed, in 23% the presence of regional tumors, and in 56% - distant metastases.

The peculiarity of a metastatic tumor is that it appears in different organs, but at the same time it goes to the lungs.

This article talks about and signs of determining a lung tumor in humans. And also about the types of tumor stages and methods of treatment.

Prevalence

A lung tumor is a fairly common disease among all lung neoplasms. More than 25% of cases this species disease leads to death. More than 32% of the tumor in men is a lung tumor, in women it is 25%. The approximate age of patients is from 40-65 years.

Lung tumors are classified into several types:

  1. adenocarcinoma;
  2. small cell cancer
  3. cancer with large cells;
  4. squamous cell cancer and many other forms.

By localization, the tumor is:

  1. central;
  2. peripheral;
  3. apical;
  4. mediastinal;
  5. miliary.

In the direction of growth:

  1. exobronchial;
  2. endobronchial;
  3. peribronchial.

Also, the tumor has the properties of development without the appearance of metastases.

According to the stages of the disease, the tumor is:

  • the first stage is a tumor that has a small size of the bronchi, while there is no germination of the pleura and metastases;
  • the second stage - the tumor is almost the same as in the first stage, but a little larger, does not have pleural germination, but has single metastases;
  • the third stage - the tumor has even more large sizes and already goes beyond the boundaries of the lung, the tumor can already grow into the chest or diaphragm, there is a very a large number of metastases;
  • - the tumor spreads very quickly to many neighboring organs, has distant metastases. Most people get sick due to the abuse of carcinogens that are in tobacco smoke. Both men and women are equally at risk.

In smokers, the occurrence of lung tumors is much higher than in people who do not smoke. According to statistics, most of the patients are men. But in recent times the trend has changed a little, because there are a lot of smoking women. In rare cases, a lung tumor can be hereditary.

Signs of a lung tumor

There are many theories for the development of lung cancer. The impact of nicotine on the human body contributes to the deposition of genetic abnormalities in the cells. Because of this, the process of tumor growth begins, which is almost impossible to control, moreover, the symptoms of the disease do not appear immediately. This means that the destruction of DNA begins, thereby stimulating tumor growth.

Revealing lung tumors on x-ray

The initial stage of a lung tumor begins to develop in the bronchi. Further, the process goes on and develops in the nearby sections of the lung. After the expiration of time, the tumor passes to other organs, gives to the liver, brain, bones and other organs.

Symptoms of a lung tumor

A lung tumor at an early stage is very difficult to detect due to its small size and the similarity of symptoms with a number of other diseases. It may be just a cough or sputum production when coughing. This period can last for many years.

Usually, doctors begin to suspect the presence of cancer in people older than 40 years. Particular attention is paid to smokers, as well as people working in hazardous industries who have at least minimal symptoms.

Complaints

In general, the most common complaint in bronchial involvement is coughing, accounting for 70% of visits and 55% of cases where people complain of hemoptysis. The cough is mostly hacking, persistent, sputum is secreted.

People with such complaints almost always have shortness of breath, very often there is chest pain, about half of the cases. In this case, most likely the tumor goes into the pleura and it increases in size. When there is a load on the recurrent nerve, wheezing appears in the voice.

When the tumor grows and compresses the lymph nodes, symptoms such as:

  • weakness in the upper and lower extremities;
  • paresthesia if the lesion has reached the shoulder;
  • Horner's syndrome;
  • shortness of breath appears when the lesion has reached the phrenic nerve;
  • body weight is lost;
  • the appearance of itching on the skin;
  • rapid development of dermatitis in the elderly.

Removal of lung tumors

A benign lung tumor, no matter what stage it is, should be removed if there are no contraindications to surgical treatment. Operations are performed by professional surgeons. The earlier a lung tumor is diagnosed and everything is done to remove it, the less the body of a sick person suffers and the less dangerous complications that may occur later.

Lung cancer surgery

If peripheral oncology of the lungs occurs, which is located in the tissues of the lung itself, it is removed by enucleation, i.e. in other words, by husking.

Most benign tumors are treated by thoracoscopy or thoracotomy. If the neoplasm grows on a thin stalk, it can be removed endoscopically. But this option can cause unwanted bleeding and it is imperative to re-examine the lungs and bronchi.

Diagnostics

Preparing for the operation

Chemotherapy. The process that is capable of stops their development and prevents the increase in size, while preventing their reproduction. This treatment option is used for small cell carcinoma and non-small cell lung cancer. This process is considered the most common and is constantly used in almost all cancer hospitals.

The only drawback is that this process full recovery and recovery is almost impossible. But, despite everything, chemotherapy can prolong the life of a cancer patient for many years.

Good prevention of lung cancer treatment is complete absence cigarettes in a person's life.



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Lung tumor - combines several categories of neoplasms, namely malignant and benign. It is noteworthy that the former affect people over forty, and the latter are formed in people under 35 years of age. The reasons for the formation of tumors in both cases are almost the same. Most often, long-term addiction to bad habits, work in hazardous production and exposure to the body act as provocateurs.

The danger of the disease lies in the fact that with any variant of the course of the tumor lung symptoms, which are already of a non-specific nature, may be absent for a long time. The main clinical manifestations are considered to be malaise and weakness, fever, mild chest discomfort and persistent moist cough. In general, lung ailments have non-specific symptoms.

It is possible to differentiate malignant and benign neoplasms of the lungs only with the help of instrumental diagnostic procedures, the first place among which is biopsy.

Treatment of all types of neoplasms is carried out only surgically, which consists not only in the excision of the tumor, but also in the partial or complete removal of the affected lung.

The International Classification of Diseases of the Tenth Revision allocates separate values ​​for tumors. Thus, formations of a malignant course have the ICD-10 code - C34, and benign - D36.

Etiology

Formation malignant neoplasms provoked by improper cell differentiation and pathological tissue proliferation, which occurs at the gene level. However, among the most likely predisposing factors that a lung tumor appears, there are:

  • long-term addiction to nicotine - this includes both active and passive smoking. Such a source provokes the development of the disease in men in 90%, and in females in 70% of cases. It is noteworthy that passive smokers have a higher likelihood of developing a tumor of a malignant course;
  • specific working conditions, namely the constant contact of a person with chemical and toxic substances. The most dangerous for humans are asbestos and nickel, arsenic and chromium, as well as radioactive dust;
  • permanent exposure human body radon radiation;
  • diagnosed benign lung tumors - this is due to the fact that some of them, in the absence of therapy, are prone to transformation into cancers;
  • the course of inflammatory or suppurative processes directly in the lungs or in the bronchi;
  • scarring of lung tissue;
  • genetic predisposition.

It is the above reasons that contribute to DNA damage and the activation of cellular oncogenes.

The provocateurs of the formation of benign lung tumors are currently not known for certain, however, experts from the field of pulmonology suggest that this may be affected by:

  • burdened heredity;
  • gene mutations;
  • pathological influence of various viruses;
  • influence of chemical and radioactive substances;
  • addiction to bad habits, in particular, to smoking;
  • contact with contaminated soil, water or air, while formaldehyde is most often considered provocateurs, ultraviolet radiation, benzanthracene, radioactive isotopes and vinyl chloride;
  • decreased local or general immunity;
  • permanent influence stressful situations;
  • irrational nutrition;
  • drug addiction.

From the foregoing, it follows that absolutely every person is predisposed to the appearance of a tumor.

Classification

Specialists from the field of pulmonology usually distinguish several types of malignant neoplasms, but the leading place among them is occupied by cancer, diagnosed in every 3 people who have a tumor in this area. In addition, the following are also considered malignant:

  • - originates in lymphatic system. Often, such a formation is the result of metastasis of a similar tumor from the breast or colon, kidneys or rectum, stomach or cervix, testicle or thyroid gland, skeletal system or prostate, as well as skin;
  • - includes intraalveolar or peribronchial connective tissue. It is most often localized in the left lung and is typical for males;
  • malignant carcinoid - has the ability to form distant metastases, for example, to the liver or kidneys, brain or skin, adrenal glands or pancreas;
  • squamous cell carcinoma;
  • pleural mesothelioma - histologically consists of epithelial tissues that line the pleural cavity. Very often diffuse in nature;
  • oat cell carcinoma - characterized by the presence of metastases in the initial stages of the progression of the disease.

In addition, a malignant tumor of the lung is:

  • highly differentiated;
  • medium differentiated;
  • poorly differentiated;
  • undifferentiated.

It goes through several stages of progression:

  • initial - the tumor does not exceed 3 centimeters in size, affects only one segment of this organ and does not metastasize;
  • moderate - the formation reaches 6 centimeters and gives single metastases to regional lymph nodes;
  • severe - a neoplasm in volume of more than 6 centimeters, extends to the neighboring lobe of the lung and bronchi;
  • complicated - cancer gives extensive and distant metastases.

Classification of benign tumors according to the type of tissues that make up their composition:

  • epithelial;
  • neuroectodermal;
  • mesodermal;
  • germinal.

benign tumors lungs also include:

  • adenoma is a glandular formation, which in turn is divided into carcinoids and carcinomas, cylindromas and adenoids. It should be noted that in 10% of cases malignancy is observed;
  • hamartoma or - an embryonic tumor that includes the constituent parts of the germinal tissue. These are the most frequently diagnosed formations in this category;
  • or fibroepithelioma - consists of a connective tissue stroma and has a large number of papillary outgrowths;
  • - in volume does not exceed 3 centimeters, but can grow to gigantic sizes. It occurs in 7% of cases and is not prone to malignancy;
  • - This is a fatty tumor, which is extremely rarely localized in the lungs;
  • leiomyoma - a rare formation that includes smooth muscle fibers and looks like a polyp;
  • a group of vascular tumors - this should include hemangioendothelioma, hemangiopericytoma, capillary and cavernous, as well. The first 2 types are conditionally benign lung tumors, since they are prone to degeneration into cancer;
  • or dermoid - acts as an embryonic tumor or cyst. The frequency of occurrence reaches 2%;
  • neurinoma or shvannomu;
  • chemodectoma;
  • tuberculoma;
  • fibrous histiocytoma;
  • plasmacytoma.

The last 3 varieties are considered the most rare.

In addition, a benign lung tumor, according to the focus, is divided into:

  • central;
  • peripheral;
  • segmental;
  • home;
  • share.

Classification in the direction of growth implies the existence of the following formations:

  • endobronchial - in such a situation, the tumor grows deep into the lumen of the bronchus;
  • extrabronchtal - growth is directed outward;
  • intramural - germination occurs in the thickness of the lung.

In addition, neoplasms of any variant of the course can be single and multiple.

Symptoms

For the degree of expression clinical signs influenced by several factors:

  • localization of education;
  • tumor size;
  • nature of germination;
  • Availability concomitant diseases;
  • the number and extent of metastases.

Signs of malignant tumors are nonspecific and are presented:

  • causeless weakness;
  • fast fatigue;
  • periodic increase in temperature;
  • general malaise;
  • symptoms , and ;
  • hemoptysis;
  • persistent cough with mucus or purulent sputum;
  • shortness of breath that occurs at rest;
  • soreness varying degrees expressiveness in the chest;
  • sharp decline body weight.

A benign lung tumor has the following symptoms:

  • cough with the release of a small amount of sputum with impurities of blood or pus;
  • whistling and noise during breathing;
  • decrease in working capacity;
  • dyspnea;
  • persistent increase in temperature indicators;
  • asthma attacks;
  • tides to the upper half of the body;
  • disorder of the act of defecation;
  • mental disorders.

It is noteworthy that most often there are no signs of benign formations at all, which is why the disease is a diagnostic surprise. As for malignant neoplasms of the lung, symptoms are expressed only if the tumor grows to a gigantic size, extensive metastases and occurs in the later stages.

Diagnostics

Put correct diagnosis possible only through a wide range instrumental examinations, which are necessarily preceded by manipulations carried out directly by the attending physician. They should include:

  • study of the medical history - to identify ailments leading to the occurrence of a particular tumor;
  • familiarization with the life history of a person - to clarify the working conditions, living and lifestyle;
  • listening to the patient with a phonendoscope;
  • a detailed survey of the patient - to compile a complete clinical picture the course of the disease and determine the severity of symptoms.

Among the instrumental procedures it is worth highlighting:

  • Plain radiography of the left and right lung;
  • CT and MRI;
  • pleural puncture;
  • endoscopic biopsy;
  • bronchoscopy;
  • thoracoscopy;
  • Ultrasound and PET;
  • angiopulmonography.

In addition, the following laboratory tests are required:

  • general and biochemical analysis blood;
  • tests for tumor markers;
  • microscopic examination of sputum;
  • histological analysis of the biopsy;
  • cytological study of effusion.

Treatment

Absolutely all malignant and benign lung tumors (regardless of the likelihood of malignancy) undergo surgical excision.

As a medical intervention, one of the following operations can be selected:

  • circular, marginal or fenestrated resection;
  • lobectomy;
  • bilobectomy;
  • pneumonectomy;
  • husking;
  • complete or partial excision of the lung;
  • thoracotomy.

Operable treatment can be carried out by open or endoscopic way. To reduce the risk of complications or remission after the intervention, patients undergo chemotherapy or radiation treatment.

Possible Complications

If you ignore the symptoms and do not treat the disease, then there is high risk development of complications, namely:

  • pulmonary bleeding;
  • abscess pneumonia;
  • vasoconstriction syndrome and internal organs;
  • malignancy.

Prevention and prognosis

Reducing the likelihood of the formation of any neoplasms in the body contribute to:

  • complete rejection of all bad habits;
  • correct and balanced diet;
  • avoidance of physical and emotional overstrain;
  • usage individual means protection when working with toxic and poisonous substances;
  • prevention of irradiation of the body;
  • timely diagnosis and treatment of pathologies that can lead to the formation of tumors.

Also, do not forget about regular preventive examination in medical institution which must be taken at least 2 times a year.

Tumors form a large group of diverse neoplasms in the human lungs. In this case, the tissues of the lung, pulmonary pleura or bronchi grow significantly, which consist of physically altered cells that are no longer able to perform their functions.

Benign and malignant formations differ in the degree of differentiation of the affected cells.

In addition, tumor-like areas of tissue from other organs can enter the lungs; these tumors are considered malignant by default.

Causes, factors of development and differentiation of the disease

Among the reasons that lead to neoplasms in the lungs, there are many different factors:

It is especially worth noting that the risk of developing a neoplasm increases in the case of chronic disease with a decrease in immunity, for example:

  1. Bronchial asthma.
  2. COPD
  3. Chronic bronchitis.
  4. Tuberculosis, pneumonia, and some other diseases.

In order to differentiate the neoplasm, additional examinations are needed: the tumor can be a benign granuloma, which are quite harmless in nature, but there is also a possibility that the neoplasm will turn out to be a malignant tumor, which urgently needs to be cured.

There are two categories of neoplasms:

  • benign tumors;
  • Malignant.

Benign formations appear from ordinary, similar to healthy cells. A pseudocapsule is formed in them, and the surrounding tissues atrophy.

This type of tumor does not form metastases. Benign tumors appear for the most part in men and women under 45 years of age, and in general they make up about 7-10% of the total set of all possible neoplasms in the lungs.

Benign bronchial tumors originate from cells that are similar in structure to healthy cells. These formations grow slowly, do not destroy neighboring cells and do not infiltrate.

Allocate the following types benign formations:


Symptoms of benign formations

The manifestations of benign tumors are quite diverse and are divided into categories depending on the stage of the disease. There are three stages of the disease:

Diagnosis of the disease

In order to make a correct diagnosis, it is necessary to carry out several additional procedures. It should be noted that single nodules in the lungs are especially dangerous for people over 35 years of age and may be in smokers - including those who have recently quit smoking.

In people who do not smoke and who are under 35 years of age, the chance that a single growth will be malignant and form lung cancer is less than one percent.

This observation allows us to conclude that the education is of good quality. The next sign the physical dimensions of the neoplasm will become: tumors smaller than a centimeter in the rarest cases are malignant.

Calcium inclusions in a lung tumor also reduce the likelihood that it is malignant - this can be established using the same x-ray observation. And another sign of benign formation is the absence of tumor growth for two years. This observation should be carried out under the supervision of doctors, who must carefully monitor the neoplasm and make adjustments to take into account changes in its size.

X-ray is used to detect a variety of pathological diseases of the lungs, it can be used to identify various neoplasms in the lungs. On x-ray, the neoplasm is seen as a fuzzy shadow with delineated boundaries; the structure of such formations is quite clear and homogeneous, however, you can also notice some particularly prominent elements: similar to blocks small size decalcifications - hamartomas and tuberculomas - and hard, structurally similar to bone, fragments - teratomas.

Neoplasms of a benign or malignant nature are often asymptomatic - the patient does not make any complaints, and these pathologies can only be detected in studies using X-rays.

But still, you need to know that the above information does not give a 100% guarantee that the tumor is benign and, of course, cannot serve as a sufficient basis for making a diagnosis. Only a specialist observing long time the patient and who knows his medical history, based on the analysis of data and radiographs, as well as endoscopic observations, can make an expert opinion. decisive moment is a biopsy, the study of the materials of which will be the basis for the doctor's verdict.

An important point will be the preservation of old x-rays, which are needed in order to compare with the latest pictures. This will allow to more accurately identify the localization of the neoplasm and determine its nature. This operation will help save time and avoid unnecessary actions and start treatment sooner.

If the patient does not have the opportunity to find images taken in the recent past, then people under 35 who do not smoke should have a lung tomography every three months, and then carry out this procedure once a year - and this is in the absence of data that says about malignancy. In addition, it is recommended to do fluorography, which should be carried out by polyclinics at the place of residence.

A CT scan will be an invaluable tool in identifying a benign tumor, because it allows you to identify not only neoplasms, but also to find traces of adipose tissue, which is characteristic of lipomas, it will help to find fluid in the lungs.

Fluid present in cysts and tumors vascular origin. Computed tomography makes it possible to distinguish benign formations from tuberculomas, various types of cancer and peripheral cancer.

Doctors should also determine the presence or absence of voice trembling and breathing, determination of wheezing in the chest. asymmetric rib cage may be a sign of obturbation of the main lung bronchus, other signs of this disease are smoothed intercostal spaces and the lag of the corresponding half of the cell in dynamics. If the amount of data obtained from these studies is not enough, then doctors use other methods: thoracoscopy or thoracotomy with biopsy.

Treatment of a benign tumor

In this case drug therapy useless, a benign formation is subject to complete removal by surgical intervention. Only timely diagnosis can avoid irreversible consequences for the health of the patient and his lungs.

Tumors are determined by thoracoscopy or thoracotomy.

Early diagnosis of the tumor is especially important, which allows saving the maximum amount of tissue during the operation, and this, in turn, makes it possible to avoid numerous complications. Recovery after surgery is handled by the pulmonology department. The vast majority of operations are completed quite successfully, and the recurrence of tumors is practically excluded.

Bronchial resection is used to remove the central lung tumor. With this method, the lung tissue is not affected, but a small incision is made, which allows you to save most of the functional tissue of the lung. Fenestrated resection is used to remove the bronchus on the so-called narrow base, which is subsequently sutured or bronchotomy is performed at this site.

With a more serious and massive neoplasm, one or two lobes of the lung are removed - this method is called a lobectomy or bilobectomy. Sometimes - in especially severe cases, they resort to pneumonectomy - the removal of the entire lung. This operation is indicated for patients who have received serious damage to the lungs due to the occurrence of a benign tumor. Peripheral tumors are amputated by enucleation, segmental resection is also possible, and especially massive neoplasms are amputated by lobectomy.

Patients over thirty-five years of age and smokers, in addition to the above examinations, are also required to conduct a biopsy. The biopsy is performed by an experienced surgeon, and depending on its location and size, the sampling technique differs. It should be noted that quitting smoking reduces the risk of various diseases lungs, including neoplasms.

benign tumors respiratory systems develop from cells that, in their properties and composition, resemble healthy ones. This species makes up only about 10% of total such localization. Most often they are found in people under 35 years of age.

A benign neoplasm usually looks like a small nodule, round or oval shape. Despite the similarity with healthy tissues, modern methods diagnostics allow you to quickly find the difference in the structure.

If the tumor does not lead to disruption of the bronchi, then sputum is practically not excreted. The larger it is, the more serious the cough begins.

In some cases, it is found:

  • rise in body temperature,
  • the appearance of shortness of breath,
  • chest pain.

An increase in body temperature is associated with a violation of the ventilation functions of the respiratory system and when an infection is attached to the disease. Shortness of breath is mainly characteristic in situations where the lumen of the bronchi is closed.

Even with a benign tumor, depending on its size, weakness, lack of appetite, and sometimes hemoptysis may appear. Patients themselves note that breathing becomes weaker, voice trembling appears.

Complications of neoplasm

If the disease was not detected in time, then tendencies to the formation of infiltrates and growth may appear. In the worst case, blockage of the bronchus or the entire lung occurs.

Complications are:

  • pneumonia,
  • malignancy (acquisition of the properties of a malignant tumor),
  • bleeding,
  • compression syndrome,
  • pneumofibrosis,
  • bronchiectasis.

Sometimes neoplasms increase to such a size that they compress vital structures. This leads to disturbances in the work of the whole organism.

Diagnostics

If a tumor in the respiratory tract is suspected, laboratory tests must be used. the first allow to reveal elastic fibers, a cellular substrate.

The second method is aimed at identifying the elements of education. It is carried out multiple times. Bronchoscopy allows for an accurate diagnosis.

Held and x-ray examination. A benign formation has an appearance in the pictures in the form of rounded shadows with clear, but not always smooth contours.

The photo shows a benign lung tumor - hamartoma

For differential diagnosis is carried out. It allows you to more accurately separate benign tumors from peripheral cancer, vascular tumors and other problems.

Treatment of a benign tumor in the lung

Most often offered surgery tumors. The operation is carried out immediately after the discovery of the problem. This avoids the occurrence of irreversible changes in the lung, to prevent the possibility of transformation into a malignant formation.

For central localization, apply laser methods, ultrasonic and electrosurgical instruments. The latter are the most popular in modern clinics.

If the disease is peripheral in nature, it is carried out:

  • (removal of a section of the lung),
  • resection (removal of diseased tissue),
  • (removal of education without observing oncological principles).

At the most early stages the neoplasm can be removed through a bronchoscope, but sometimes bleeding becomes a consequence of such exposure. If the changes are irreversible, affecting the entire lung, then only pneumectomy remains (removal of the affected organ).

Alternative treatment

In order to alleviate the condition with a benign lung tumor, you can try folk methods.

One of the most popular herbs is celandine. One spoon must be brewed in 200 ml of boiling water, put in a steam bath for 15 minutes.

Then bring to the original volume. It is taken 100 ml twice a day.

Forecast

If a medical measures were carried out in a timely manner, the repetition of the appearance of formations is rare.

Slightly less favorable prognosis for carcinoid. With a moderately differentiated species, the five-year survival rate is 90%, and with a poorly differentiated species, only 38%.

Video about a benign lung tumor:

It is possible to detect a neoplasm in the lungs, and determine what it may be, with a detailed examination. This disease affects people different ages. Formations occur due to a violation of the process of cell differentiation, which can be caused by internal and external factors.

Neoplasms in the lungs are large group various formations in the lung area, which have characteristic structure, location and nature of origin.

Neoplasms in the lungs can be benign or malignant.

Benign tumors have different genesis, structure, location and various clinical manifestations. Benign tumors are less common than malignant ones, and make up about 10% of the total. They tend to develop slowly, do not destroy tissues, since they are not characterized by infiltrating growth. Some benign tumors tend to transform into malignant ones.

Depending on the location, there are:

  1. Central - tumors from the main, segmental, lobar bronchi. They can grow inside the bronchus and surrounding tissues of the lung.
  2. Peripheral - tumors from surrounding tissues and walls of small bronchi. Grow superficially or intrapulmonaryly.

Types of benign tumors

There are such benign lung tumors:

Briefly about malignant tumors


Increase.

Lung cancer (bronchogenic carcinoma) is a tumor that consists of epithelial tissue. The disease tends to metastasize to other organs. It can be located in the periphery, the main bronchi, it can grow in the lumen of the bronchus, the tissues of the organ.

Malignant neoplasms include:

  1. Lung cancer has the following types: epidermoid, adenocarcinoma, small cell tumor.
  2. Lymphoma is a tumor that affects the lower parts of the body. respiratory tract. It may occur primarily in the lungs or as a result of metastases.
  3. Sarcoma is a malignant tumor consisting of connective tissue. Symptoms are similar to those of cancer, but develop more quickly.
  4. Pleural cancer is a tumor that develops in the epithelial tissue of the pleura. It can occur initially, and as a result of metastases from other organs.

Risk factors

The causes of malignant and benign tumors are largely similar. Factors that provoke tissue proliferation:

  • Smoking active and passive. 90% of men and 70% of women who have been diagnosed with malignant neoplasms in the lungs are smokers.
  • Contact with hazardous chemical and radioactive substances due to professional activities and due to contamination environment areas of residence. Such substances include radon, asbestos, vinyl chloride, formaldehyde, chromium, arsenic, and radioactive dust.
  • Chronic diseases of the respiratory tract. The development of benign tumors is associated with such diseases: Chronical bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pneumonia, tuberculosis. The risk of malignant neoplasms increases if there is a history of chronic tuberculosis and fibrosis.

The peculiarity lies in the fact that benign formations can be caused not by external factors, but by gene mutations and a genetic predisposition. Also, malignancy often occurs, and the transformation of the tumor into a malignant one.

Any lung formations can be caused by viruses. Cell division can cause cytomegalovirus, human papillomavirus, multifocal leukoencephalopathy, simian virus SV-40, human polyomavirus.

Symptoms of a tumor in the lung

Benign lung tumors have various signs, which depend on the location of the tumor, its size, existing complications, hormone activity, the direction of tumor growth, impaired bronchial patency.

Complications include:

  • abscess pneumonia;
  • malignancy;
  • bronchiectasis;
  • atelectasis;
  • bleeding;
  • metastases;
  • pneumofibrosis;
  • compression syndrome.

Bronchial patency has three degrees of violations:

  • 1 degree - partial narrowing of the bronchus.
  • Grade 2 - valvular narrowing of the bronchus.
  • Grade 3 - occlusion (impaired patency) of the bronchus.

For a long time, symptoms of the tumor may not be observed. The absence of symptoms is most likely with peripheral tumors. Depending on the severity of the symptoms, several stages of the course of the pathology are distinguished.

Formation stages

1 stage. Runs asymptomatic. At this stage, there is a partial narrowing of the bronchus. Patients may cough with a small amount of sputum. Hemoptysis is rare. On examination X-ray does not detect anomalies. The tumor can be shown by such studies as bronchography, bronchoscopy, computed tomography.

2 stage. Observed valve (valve) narrowing of the bronchus. By this time, the lumen of the bronchus is practically closed by the formation, but the elasticity of the walls is not broken. When inhaling, the lumen partially opens, and when exhaled, it closes with a tumor. In the area of ​​the lung, which is ventilated by the bronchus, expiratory emphysema develops. As a result of the presence of bloody impurities in the sputum, mucosal edema, complete obstruction (impaired patency) of the lung may occur. In the tissues of the lung, there may be the development of inflammatory processes. The second stage is characterized by cough with mucus sputum (often pus is present), hemoptysis, shortness of breath, fatigue, weakness, chest pain, fever(due to the inflammatory process). The second stage is characterized by an alternation of symptoms and their temporary disappearance (with treatment). An x-ray image shows impaired ventilation, the presence of an inflammatory process in a segment, lobe of the lung, or the whole organ.

To be able to make an accurate diagnosis, bronchography, computed tomography, and linear tomography are required.

3 stage. Complete obturation of the bronchus occurs, suppuration develops, and irreversible changes in lung tissues and their death occur. At this stage, the disease has such manifestations as impaired breathing (shortness of breath, suffocation), general weakness, excessive sweating, chest pain, fever, cough with purulent sputum (often with bloody particles). Occasionally, pulmonary bleeding may occur. On examination, an x-ray may show atelectasis (partial or complete), inflammatory processes with purulent-destructive changes, bronchiectasis, volumetric education in the lungs. To clarify the diagnosis, a more detailed study is necessary.

Symptoms

Symptoms of malignant tumors also vary depending on the size, location of the tumor, the size of the bronchial lumen, the presence of various complications, metastases. The most common complications include atelectasis and pneumonia.

At the initial stages of development, malignant cavity formations that have arisen in the lungs show few signs. The patient may experience the following symptoms:

  • general weakness, which increases with the course of the disease;
  • increased body temperature;
  • fast fatiguability;
  • general malaise.

Symptoms initial stage development of neoplasms are similar to signs of pneumonia, acute respiratory viral infections, bronchitis.

Progression malignancy accompanied by symptoms such as cough with sputum, consisting of mucus and pus, hemoptysis, shortness of breath, suffocation. When the neoplasm grows into the vessels, pulmonary bleeding occurs.

A peripheral lung mass may not show signs until it grows into the pleura or chest wall. After that, the main symptom is pain in the lungs that occurs when inhaling.

In the later stages of malignant tumors are manifested:

  • increased constant weakness;
  • weight loss;
  • cachexia (exhaustion of the body);
  • occurrence of hemorrhagic pleurisy.

Diagnostics

To detect neoplasms, the following examination methods are used:

  1. Fluorography. Prophylactic diagnostic method x-ray diagnostics, which allows you to identify many pathological formations in the lungs. read this article.
  2. Plain radiography of the lungs. Allows you to identify spherical formations in the lungs, which have a round contour. On the x-ray, changes in the parenchyma of the examined lungs are determined on the right, left, or both sides.
  3. CT scan. Using this diagnostic method, the lung parenchyma is examined, pathological changes lungs, each intrathoracic lymph node. This study prescribed when differential diagnosis of rounded formations with metastases, vascular tumors, peripheral cancer is necessary. Computed tomography allows you to make a more correct diagnosis than x-ray examination.
  4. Bronchoscopy. This method allows you to examine the tumor, and conduct a biopsy for further cytological examination.
  5. Angiopulmonography. Involves an invasive x-ray of blood vessels using contrast agent to detect vascular tumors of the lung.
  6. Magnetic resonance imaging. This diagnostic method is used in severe cases for additional diagnostics.
  7. Pleural puncture. Research in pleural cavity with a peripheral location of the tumor.
  8. Cytological examination sputum. Helps to determine the presence of a primary tumor, as well as the appearance of metastases in the lungs.
  9. Thoracoscopy. It is carried out to determine the operability of a malignant tumor.

Fluorography.

Bronchoscopy.

Angiopulmonography.

Magnetic resonance imaging.

Pleural puncture.

Cytological examination of sputum.

Thoracoscopy.

It is believed that benign focal formations lungs have a size of no more than 4 cm, larger focal changes indicate malignancy.

Treatment

All neoplasms are subject to surgical treatment. Benign tumors are subject to immediate removal after diagnosis in order to avoid an increase in the area of ​​affected tissues, trauma from surgery, the development of complications, metastases and malignancy. For malignant tumors and for benign complications, a lobectomy or bilobectomy may be required to remove a lobe of the lung. With the progression of irreversible processes, pneumonectomy is performed - removal of the lung and surrounding lymph nodes.

Bronchial resection.

Central cavity formations localized in the lungs are removed by resection of the bronchus without affecting the lung tissue. With such localization, removal can be performed endoscopically. To remove neoplasms with a narrow base, a fenestrated resection of the bronchus wall is performed, and for tumors with a wide base, a circular resection of the bronchus is performed.

For peripheral tumors, the following methods are used surgical treatment as enucleation, marginal or segmental resection. With a significant size of the neoplasm, a lobectomy is used.

Lung masses are removed by thoracoscopy, thoracotomy and videothoracoscopy. During the operation, a biopsy is performed, and the resulting material is sent for histological examination.

For malignant tumors surgical intervention not performed in the following cases:

  • when it is not possible to completely remove the neoplasm;
  • metastases are at a distance;
  • impaired functioning of the liver, kidneys, heart, lungs;
  • the patient's age is over 75 years.

After removal of the malignancy, the patient undergoes chemotherapy or radiation therapy. In many cases, these methods are combined.