Lung cancer

A malignancy of the lung.


One of the most common types of cancer; the incidence has rapidly been increasing in women. Predisposing factors include smoking and exposure to asbestos, vinyl chloride, coal products, and other industrial and chemical products. Symptoms include cough, difficulty in breathing, blood-tinged sputum, and repeated infections. Treatment depends on the type, site, and extent of the cancer and may include surgery, chemotherapy, and/or radiotherapy.


Cancer that originates in the lung. Lung cancer accounts for only about 15 percent of all new cancers in the United States, but is responsible for 25 percent of all cancer deaths, because it is frequently incurable. Early detection is difficult because symptoms often do not appear until the disease is advanced. Warning signs may include a persistent cough, coughing up blood, shortness of breath, hoarseness, persistent pain in the chest or upper back, and a persistent chest infection, such as pneumonia or bronchitis.


Cancer arising in the epithelium of the air passages ( bronchial cancer) or lung. It is a very common form of cancer and is strongly associated with cigarette smoking and exposure to industrial air pollutants (including asbestos). There are often no symptoms in the early stages of the disease, when diagnosis is made on X-ray examination. Treatment includes surgical removal of the affected lobe or lung (20% of cases are suitable for surgery), radiotherapy, and chemotherapy.


The deadliest form of cancer in the U.S., responsible for about 162,000 deaths a year, according to statistics published by the American Cancer Society in 2008. The term includes four cell types: squamous cell (epidermoid) carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, large cell (anaplastic) cancer, and small cell (oat cell) cancer. The vast majority are caused by carcinogens in tobacco smoke including second-hand smoke. Other risks include exposure to carcinogenic industrial and air pollutants (asbestos, uranium, arsenic, nickel, chromium, iron oxides, coal dust and radioactive dusts), radon gas concentrations, and familial susceptibility. Survival after diagnosis is poor — only one of seven affected persons lives for 5 years. However if detected early (before spreading from the lungs) survival rates rise for most persons. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA), a minimally invasive procedure in which radiofrequency waves are used to heat tumor tissue so that it dies from the high temperatures, is a promising therapy for patients with small lung tumors.


The second most prevalent type of cancer in the UK, following skin cancer.


Tobacco smoking stands as the primary contributor to lung cancer. Additionally, risk factors encompass passive smoking (the inhalation of tobacco smoke by non-smokers) and exposure to environmental pollutants like radioactive minerals or asbestos.


Diverse categories of lung cancer exist, impacting distinct sets of lung cells. The prevalent variants include squamous cell carcinoma and small cell (or oat cell) carcinoma, while other major types encompass adenocarcinoma and large cell carcinoma.


Every type of lung cancer exhibits its unique growth pattern and reaction to therapy. Small cell carcinoma stands out as the most aggressive type of lung cancer, proliferating swiftly and disseminating rapidly throughout the body. On the other hand, squamous cell carcinoma expands at a slower pace compared to other types and typically remains confined to the lung until the advanced stages of the disease.


The most frequent initial sign of lung cancer is a continuous cough. Additional symptoms can be coughing up blood, difficulty breathing, and discomfort in the chest. If the tumor blocks the air passage, it can lead to pneumonia, which is an inflammation of the lung. Moreover, if the tumor affects the pleura—the dual-layered membrane surrounding the lung—it can result in a buildup of fluid known as pleural effusion. A tumor located at the lung’s apex might exert pressure on the nerves that serve the corresponding arm, leading to pain and weakened strength in that arm.


Lung cancer has the potential to metastasize to different regions of the body, notably the liver, brain, and bones. This can result in pain and complications in those areas.


In many instances, lung cancer is detected through a chest X-ray or by identifying abnormal cells in a sample of sputum. A physician might also conduct a bronchoscopy to inspect the airways. To verify the diagnosis, a biopsy, which involves taking a tissue sample, is analyzed under a microscope to check for cancer cells. Blood tests, along with CT scans or MRI, might be utilized to ascertain if the cancer has metastasized to other parts of the body.


When lung cancer is identified in its early stages, treatments such as pneumonectomy (complete lung removal) or lobectomy (removal of the affected lung lobe) might be options. Surgery is typically only a consideration when the tumor remains small and hasn’t extended beyond the lung. To manage the tumor’s spread and address any metastases (cancer cells that have moved to other body parts), anticancer medications and radiotherapy might be employed. Small cell carcinoma is generally addressed with radiotherapy and chemotherapy.


 


Posted

in

by

Tags: