Lung Cancer Treatment at CritiCare Asia Hospitals, Malad
Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers, and for many families it starts with sudden, worrying symptoms in someone they love. It develops when cells in the lung begin growing and dividing in an uncontrolled way, forming a tumour that can make breathing difficult and may spread to other organs if left untreated. Some lung cancers grow slowly over years, others move faster, which is why identifying the exact type matters early on. At CritiCare Asia Hospitals, our team provides lung cancer treatment in Malad, Mumbai, walking families through each step together, from first diagnosis to ongoing care.
Symptoms of Lung Cancer
Early lung cancer often causes no symptoms at all, which is one reason it's frequently found late. If someone in your family shows these signs, it's worth getting them checked:
- A persistent cough that gets worse over time
- Coughing up blood (haemoptysis), meaning blood mixed with sputum or mucus
- Chest pain or discomfort, especially when breathing
- Shortness of breath or wheezing
- A hoarse voice that doesn't go away
- Unexplained weight loss and tiredness
- Chest infections that keep coming back
If cancer has spread beyond the lungs, it can also cause bone pain or nervous-system symptoms such as headaches and weakness, depending on where it has travelled.
Types of Lung Cancer
Lung cancer falls broadly into two types, and knowing which one a loved one has shapes almost every decision that follows.
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) accounts for about 85% of cases and includes a few subtypes:
- Adenocarcinoma
the most common subtype, usually found in the outer part of the lung, and the type most often seen in people who have never smoked. - Squamous cell carcinoma
develops closer to the central airways and is strongly linked to smoking. - Large cell carcinoma
less common, but tends to grow and spread faster than other subtypes.
Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC) makes up the remaining 10 to 15% of cases. It grows quickly, spreads earlier, and is almost always linked to a long smoking history. Because it's often found at a later stage, treatment is approached differently from the start. Our lung cancer specialists in Malad are happy to walk families through the diagnosis in plain terms.
Risk Factors of Lung Cancer
Smoking is by far the biggest risk factor, both active smoking and long-term exposure to someone else's smoke. Other things that raise risk include radon gas in homes, asbestos exposure at work, and long-term air pollution. A family history of lung cancer, previous chest radiation, and conditions such as COPD or pulmonary fibrosis add to the risk as well.
Screening of Lung Cancer
For families with a relative who is a long-term heavy smoker over 50, low-dose CT screening can catch suspicious spots early, when treatment options are still wide open. Our team at our lung cancer hospital in Malad can help you understand whether screening makes sense for your family member.
How is Lung Cancer Diagnosed?
Diagnosis usually begins with imaging, followed by a tissue sample to confirm the diagnosis. Common tests include bronchoscopy, CT-guided biopsy for spots near the edge of the lung, and PET-CT scans to check how far the disease has spread. For NSCLC, biomarker testing, checking for markers such as EGFR, ALK, and PD-L1, is now a standard part of diagnosis, since the results decide whether a patient qualifies for targeted therapy or immunotherapy.
Treatment Options for Lung Cancer
Treatment depends on the type of cancer, its stage, and the biomarker results from diagnosis.
- Surgery
removing part or all of the lung (lobectomy or pneumonectomy) for cancer that hasn't spread, using minimally invasive techniques such as VATS where suitable. - Radiation therapy
used alone or with other treatments, especially for tumours that aren't suitable for surgery. - Chemotherapy
medicines that treat cancer cells throughout the body, central to SCLC treatment and used for NSCLC when surgery isn't an option. - Targeted therapy
medicines matched to specific genetic changes found through biomarker testing. - Immunotherapy
treatment that helps the body's own immune system fight cancer cells, guided by PD-L1 test results.
Speak to our surgical oncology team to understand if lung cancer surgery in Malad is right for your family member.
Preventive Care for Lung Cancer
- Quitting smoking is the single most effective step, along with avoiding secondhand smoke.
- Testing homes and workplaces for radon, the leading risk factor after smoking.
- Using protective measures in jobs with asbestos or other industrial exposure.
- Limiting long-term exposure to air pollution where possible.
Lung Cancer Treatment at CritiCare Asia Hospitals, Malad
Families dealing with a lung cancer diagnosis need more than a treatment plan, they need people who stay involved throughout. At CritiCare Asia Hospitals, the best cancer hospital in Malad, the same oncology team supports a patient from the first consultation through diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up, so relatives aren't repeating the same history at every visit. Diagnosis begins with imaging, biopsy, and biomarker testing to understand both the stage of disease and its biology, which then guides whether surgery, radiation, targeted therapy, or a combination fits best. Our team talks through each option with the whole family, weighing treatment intensity against overall health and daily life. If a family member has persistent respiratory symptoms or risk factors worth checking, speak with our team about screening and next steps.