Smoking is the most important factor in causing lung cancer, which we all know, but do you know how to detect lung cancer early? Early signs of lung cancer - clubbing of the fingers!
【Early Signs of Lung Cancer - Clubbing of the Fingers】
The so-called clubbing of the fingers, also known as drumstick fingers, is characterized by thickening and enlargement of the fingertips or toes. The characteristic feature is the obvious widening and thickening of the terminal phalanges, and the nails are arched and raised from the base to the tip, making the angle between the skin on the back of the fingertips and the nail base equal to or greater than 180°.
Doctors say that in the medical field, about 20% of early lung cancer patients show varying degrees of clubbing of the fingers. If the clubbing of the fingers disappears automatically after undergoing curative treatment for lung cancer, it suggests a close connection between lung cancer and clubbing of the fingers.
Research has found that lung cancer patients are prone to long-term hypoxia and endocrine disorders, which may ultimately affect the fingers and lead to abnormal tissue growth around the fingers.
Doctors remind that for people who have been smoking for a long time, they should pay special attention when clubbing of the fingers occurs, because clubbing of the fingers is often an early sign of lung cancer. The earlier it is detected and diagnosed, the better the treatment outcome.
【The Four Common Culprits of Lung Cancer】
1. Smoking
Long-term smoking can cause squamous epithelial cell proliferation, leading to squamous cell carcinoma or undifferentiated small cell carcinoma. Although non-smokers can also develop lung cancer, adenocarcinoma is more common. Carcinogens are released when paper cigarettes burn.
2. Chronic lung diseases
Diseases such as tuberculosis, silicosis, and pneumoconiosis can coexist with lung cancer. The incidence of cancer in these cases is higher than that in normal individuals. In addition, chronic inflammation of the bronchi and fibrous scar tissue in the lungs may cause squamous epithelial metaplasia or hyperplasia. Based on this, some cases may develop into cancer.
3. Intrinsic factors in the body
Such as familial inheritance and decreased immune function, metabolic disorders, and endocrine dysfunction.
4. Occupational factors
Long-term exposure to radioactive substances such as uranium and radium and their derivatives, carcinogenic hydrocarbons such as arsenic, chromium, nickel, copper, tin, iron, coal tar, asphalt, petroleum, asbestos, mustard gas, and other substances can induce lung cancer.
