Cancer news
Lung Cancer
What is Lung Cancer?
Lung cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in one or both of the lungs. While normal lung tissue cells reproduce and develop into healthy lung tissue, these abnormal cells reproduce rapidly and never grow into normal lung tissue. Lumps of cancer cells (tumors) then form and disrupt the lung, making it difficult to function properly.
More than 87% of lung cancers are smoking related. However, not all smokers develop lung cancer.
How many types of lung cancer are there?
There are two main types of lung cancer. Non-small Cell Lung Cancer and Small Cell Lung Cancer. The names refer to the kinds of cells that make up the tumor rather than the size of the tumor.
About 87% of lung cancers are non-small cell .There are three sub-types of non-small cell lung. The cells in these sub-types differ in size, shape, and chemical make-up.
- squamous cell carcinoma: 25% - 30% of all lung cancers are squamous cell carcinomas and they are located in the bronchial tubes.
- adenocarcinoma: this type accounts for about 40% of lung cancers and it can be
found in the mucus glands - large-cell undifferentiated carcinoma: this type of cancer accounts for about 10% - 15% of lung cancers and it’s found near the surface
The remaining 13% of all lung cancers are the small cell type, named for the small round cells that make up these cancers. Small cell lung cancer is highly associated with smoking and grows and spreads quickly. There are two stages of the disease: limited and
extensive.
What can cause Lung Cancer?
- tobacco use;
- environmental tobacco smoke (second-hand smoke);
- radon and asbestos;
- exposure to certain industrial substances, such as arsenic;
- some organic chemicals;
- radiation exposure from occupational, medical and environmental sources;
- air pollution; and tuberculosis.
How Is Lung Cancer Treated?
Lung cancer can be treated with: Surgery, Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy.
Surgery can offer the greatest chance for a cure for many types of lung cancer, especially if the cancer has not yet spread or metastasized to other parts of the body.
Chemotherapy uses strong chemicals or drugs to prevent the reproduction of cancer cells and stop their growth. Chemotherapy can be used in conjunction with radiation therapy and surgery. These drugs are often given in different combinations to more effectively attack the cancer
Radiation therapy uses high-energy radiation to kill cancer cells. After surgery, radiation therapy can be used to kill very small deposits of cancer that cannot be seen and removed during surgery. Radiation therapy can also be used to palliate (relieve) symptoms of lung cancer such as pain, bleeding, difficulty swallowing, cough, and problems caused by brain metastases.
Lung cancer sites
- Lung Cancer Online - Comprehensive directory of lung cancer information and resources for patients and their families.
- Lung Cancer.org - To build public awareness of lung cancer, four national cancer organizations are uniting to launch a nationwide lung cancer awareness campaign.
- Latest News; More Blacks Refuse Lung Cancer Surgery Than Whites … From the National Institutes of Health; Lung Cancer NIHSeniorHealth (National Cancer …
- The Lung Cancer Alliance - ALCASE is the Lung Cancer Alliance - we simplified our name to better communicate our … Support Lung Cancer Allliance and Raise Awareness - Buy a Pin!
- Lung Cancer - FAQ answers questions like: how common is long cancer in women? Can I develop lung cancer if I don’t smoke? What is my risk for lung cancer if I smoke?
