Lung cancer

What is lung cancer? Lung cancer is one of the most common types of cancer. The good news is that it can be cured if it is caught early. Meanwhile, the bad news is that the disease is often diagnosed at a late stage. This means that cancer has spread to other parts of the body, making treatment more difficult and less effective. Always check your health by visiting a doctor for regular check-ups. Always keep an eye out for any changes in your health. If you notice any new symptoms, or if they get worse, contact your doctor. The purpose of this brief is to give you information about lung cancer.

To help you better understand lung cancer, here is a brief explanation of what to expect. Moreover, the following sections contain more information about the disease, including causes, symptoms, and treatment options. That is, it is meant to serve as a resource for your research. With that being said, you may want to refer back to the sections that are relevant to you. Furthermore, this brief will provide you with some tips on how to detect lung cancer early.

Lung cancer is a malignant tumor arising on the pulmonary epithelium of the lung. The most common types of lung tumors, adeno-carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma account for approximately 85% of cases. Lung cancer develops when cells in either type change to a malignant state and grow uncontrollably, leading to a fatal disease unless it is treated promptly. Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer deaths in both men and women. Lung cancer occurs most commonly in the smokers between ages of 50 years and 70 years. Although it is uncommon, very rare lung cancers are also seen in children, teenagers, young adults, and elderly persons.

On average there are 1 million new cases of lung cancer diagnosed each year. If left untreated, dying from this disease occurs within 15 to 18 months after diagnosis with a 5-year survival rate of less than 5%. Approximately 75% of people diagnosed with lung cancer survive for five years after their diagnosis. However, statistics also show that early detection can increase survival rates by 5 to 40%. Cigarette smoking is responsible for 90% of lung cancer cases in the United States.

Incidence in the US in 2010 was about 222,200, with 160,950 deaths. Males are 40% more likely to develop this disease than females. Lung cancer is the most common cancer in both men and women. Approximately 16% of all cancer deaths are due to lung cancer. For more information, see below Lung Cancer Facts & Figures 2010 from the American Cancer Society.

Lung cancer is a malignant tumor, which is a solid growth or mass of abnormal cells. A tumor can grow anywhere in the body and can be either benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Malignant tumors can invade and destroy nearby normal tissue. They also have the ability to travel from their original site to other body areas through blood or lymph vessels or by direct extension into adjacent structures. Although rare, cancer may spread from the lungs to other organs such as the brain, liver, kidneys, bones, and adrenal gland. This process is called metastasis.

Lung cancer starts when cells begin to change and grow uncontrollably. The abnormal cells can invade nearby tissues and can find ways to spread (metastasize) throughout the body. A tumor is composed of all types of cells in an abnormal mass with one or more abnormal cell characteristics. These may include changes in the way they grow, divide, or act in response to chemical or physical factors. Some tumors contain areas where different types of cells are mixed together.

All cancers start with a single abnormal cell that undergoes changes resulting in rapid multiplication and growth into a mass containing multiple abnormal cells. The abnormal growth is called malignant (cancerous). The most common types of lung cancer are squamous cell carcinoma and adeno-carcinoma. What distinguishes them is their appearance under the microscope. (See "Types of Lung Cancer" below.)

The term carcinoma means tumor and refers to a type of cancer that can spread to other parts of the body. The most common types of lung cancers are adeno-carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Lung cancer is classified as (1) primary, where cancer originates in the lungs; (2) secondary, where it originates elsewhere and spreads to the lungs; or (3) metastatic, where it spreads elsewhere after it first arises elsewhere in the body.

A person develops lung cancer when abnormal cells within the lining of the air sacs called bronchi spread from one region to another. The abnormal cells (or tumors) continue to grow and can infiltrate surrounding tissue. As the tumor grows, it becomes an invasive mass that may invade nearby blood vessels or lymphatic channels. Tumor cells may metastasize (spread to other parts of the body) through the bloodstream or lymphatic system, to other organs (for example, the brain, bones, or liver).

Tumor cells do not invade every cell in the lung; if they did, this would be fatal within days. Instead, they form microscopic tumors locally within areas of air sacs called bronchioles. These tumors then invade nearby tissue and spread into nearby blood vessels and lymphatics. As the tumor grows, it may penetrate and destroy adjacent lung tissue and may eventually invade nearby tissues such as the brain or bones, body cavities (for example, the liver), and skin.

A tumor is formed when abnormal cells spread from their original site to other areas of the body through blood or lymph channels. A primary tumor appears in one area of the body (for example, in one part of the chest) and spreads to surrounding tissues. A secondary tumor appears elsewhere in the body (for example, another part of the chest, abdomen, or another part of the body).

A tumor is the abnormal multiplication of cells that grows into a mass. The term primary lung cancer refers to tumors that start in the lungs, and secondary lung cancer refers to tumors that spread to the lungs from another part of the body. Malignant cells can invade surrounding tissues and create tumors in other locations, such as the rib cage and lymph nodes. Lung cancer may begin either in or outside of a lung and spread to the other lung by metastasis. This is called bilateral metastasis.

What are the Symptoms of Lung Cancer? The symptoms of lung cancer depend on where cancer has spread.

And then there are some symptoms that may not be caused by cancer at all. For example, when someone develops a cough, especially one that does not go away, he or she should see a doctor. A cough may be a symptom of many different problems, including pneumonia, bronchitis, asthma, heart problems, or other diseases. A cough may also be a symptom of cancer, but it can also be a symptom of something else. It is important to know whether the cough is caused by cancer or not. Symptoms of Lung Cancer What Are the Symptoms of Lung Cancer? Lung cancer is one of the most common types of cancer.

And then, there is the risk that it will spread to other parts of the body. If you have symptoms, you should see your doctor right away. Symptoms include A cough that doesn't go away; A persistent cough; A hoarse voice; Coughing up blood; Chest pain; Difficulty breathing; Fatigue; Fever; Hoarseness; Loss of appetite; Weight loss; Wheezing.

What are the Causes of Lung Cancer? The causes of lung cancer are not known. There are some factors that may increase your risk of developing lung cancer. Cancers rarely start without some environmental "insult" or triggering factors, such as radiation, viruses, chemicals, or other substances. The lung may also be at risk for developing cancer with certain genetic factors or if a tumor begins in the chest wall. These include: Being a smoker or a former smoker. Having a family history of lung cancer. A history of other cancers, such as breast cancer or prostate cancer. Having chronic bronchitis, emphysema, asthma, or some other chronic lung disease. Having occupational exposure to asbestos or radon. Living within 2 miles of a power plant that burns coal, oil, or gas. These factors are not the only ones that can raise your risk of developing lung cancer.

Risk Factors: Radiation is the most common cause of lung cancer. Genetic factors may increase your risk. Environmental factors such as smoking, asbestos, and radon gas also increase the risk of lung cancer. Also, occupational factors, namely exposure to silica dust, are linked to lung cancer.

As I have said, there are many risk factors for lung cancer. This does not mean that you will definitely develop lung cancer. It just means that you have a higher risk of getting it than someone else who does not have these risk factors. If you have a combination of risk factors, your chance of getting lung cancer will be even higher. 

Treatments: Lung cancer is a disease that is often treated with chemotherapy, radiation, or both. However, there are other treatments that can be used to treat the disease. These include surgery, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and even alternative treatments. The primary treatment for lung cancer is surgery. Surgeons can remove a tumor through surgery, but it may return. Radiation therapy is another treatment option for lung cancers. This form of therapy uses high-energy rays to destroy cancer cells. A doctor will direct the rays from a machine to the cancerous cells. Chemotherapy is another common treatment for lung cancers. In this case, chemotherapy drugs are injected into a patient's bloodstream where they travel throughout the body and fight against cancer cells wherever they find them.

Targeted therapy works in two ways: it can work to stop or slow down cell growth in a specific manner, or it can work by targeting specific molecules that are very unique to lung cancer tumors. Immunotherapy is a relatively new treatment that works by training the patients' immune system to fight against cancer cells. Finally, alternative treatments include herbal remedies as well as diet and exercise changes that can help patients suffering from lung cancer.

Epidemiology: The majority of all lung cancers (more than 85%) are carcinomas, roughly evenly split between small-cell carcinoma (40%) and non-small cell carcinoma (45%). The remaining 15% are large cell carcinomas. There is an association between smoking and lung cancer, with about 90% of cases occurring in smokers (current or past) or ex-smokers.

In conclusion, there are many risk factors for developing lung cancer. However, not all people who have these risk factors will develop lung cancer. That said, there are effective treatments for the disease. Cancer is a general term that refers to any uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells. In the United States alone, there are over one million new cases of cancer each year. More than half a million people die of the disease every year. Cancer is not a single disease, but rather a group of diseases with similar characteristics. Different types of cancer can affect any part of the body. Many different types of cancer can affect the same organ or part of the body. For instance, both breast cancer and prostate cancer can occur in men. There are different ways of classifying cancer. There are many different types of tumors, and cancer is classified by the tissue in which it starts. Some common types of cancer include: Leukemia: The most common type of leukemia. It begins in the bone marrow and affects blood cells. It often causes fever and fatigue. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia is the most common form of leukemia in children. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia is the most common form of leukemia in adults. Breast cancer: This cancer begins in breast tissue.