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Lung Cancer
Medical Questions » Lung Cancer
| Name: Lung Cancer |
| Also known as: Bronchial Carcinoma; Bronchogenic Carcinoma |
| Any of several different types of cancer affecting lung tissue. The incidence is steadily increasing in developed countries, particularly in women, and it is the most common form of internal cancer. |
Causes of Lung Cancer
Smoking causes 90% of all lung cancers, but this effect of smoking is usually delayed until the patient is 55 or older. Other causes of lung cancer include asbestos dust, irradiation and chrome dust.
Types of lung cancer vary depending on the type of cell affected. The common types are:
1. Squamous cell carcinomas: a relatively common form, symptoms usually occur early, it doubles in size every three months on average, and spreads early to lymph nodes.
2. Oat cell (small cell) carcinomas: far more serious, double in size every month on average, spread rapidly to other parts of the body, and are almost impossible to cure.
3. Adenocarcinomas and large cell carcinomas: develop at the edge of the lung, have few symptoms, are not easily detected, double in size every three to six months, but spread early to distant parts of the body.
4. Secondary cancers: spread of cancer from other parts of the body to the lungs is also common, but these cancers are not caused by smoking, and their treatment involves the treatment of the original cancer as well as that in the lung. Many rarer types of lung cancer are known. |
Symptoms of Lung Cancer
The early warning signs are weight loss, a persistent cough, a change in the normal type of cough, coughing blood and worsening breathlessness. Later symptoms include loss of appetite, chest pain, hoarseness and enlarged tender lymph nodes in the armpit. One quarter of patients have no symptoms when the diagnosis is made, often by a routine chest X-ray. Smokers should consider having a routine chest X-ray every few years. |
Tests for Lung Cancer
Diagnosed by chest X-rays, CT scans and sputum examination. Occasionally a biopsy of the tumor is necessary. |
Treatment for Lung Cancer
Prevention is always better than cure, and that means stop smoking. Even in heavy smokers, after five years of non-smoking, the risk of developing lung cancer will return to normal. Treatment involves major surgery, irradiation, and potent drugs, depending on the type of cancer present. Radiation may be used to shrink the original tumor, but is primarily used to treat cancers that have spread to other organs.
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Complications of Lung Cancer of its treatment
Spread of the cancer to other organs, most commonly to bone and the brain, and blockage of the veins draining the head and arms (superior vena cava syndrome). |
Likely Outcome of Lung Cancer
Only 10% of all patients with lung cancer survive more than five years from diagnosis. Those with small cell (oat cell) carcinoma usually die within a year, those with squamous cell carcinoma tend to live a little longer than average. |
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