Lung cancer description
-Lung cancer starts when abnormal cells grow out of control in the lungs. When the abnormal cells grow, they form a tumor. A tumor can be benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous). A lung tumor can begin anywhere in the lung.
-Most cells in the lung are epithelial cells. There are two major types of lung cancer: non-small cell and small cell. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) comes from epithelial cells and is the most common type. Small cell lung cancer begins in the nerve cells or hormone-producing cells.
- When a cancer cell moves into a lymph node or goes through the bloodstream, it's called metastasis.
-Most cells in the lung are epithelial cells. There are two major types of lung cancer: non-small cell and small cell. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) comes from epithelial cells and is the most common type. Small cell lung cancer begins in the nerve cells or hormone-producing cells.
- When a cancer cell moves into a lymph node or goes through the bloodstream, it's called metastasis.
Metastasis
|
NSCLC
|
Risks/ Causes
-Smoking tobacco is responsible for about 80% of lung cancer cases. The more you smoke and the lenght of timeyou have been a smoker determins your risk of getting lung cancer. Second hand smoke can also increase your risk of lung cancer.
-A family history of lung cancer
Researchers are looking into the history of lung cancer in families. It is possible that there is at least one lung cancer gene that can be passed down in families, regardless of whether you smoke or not.
-Previous lung disease or smoking related cancers
If you have had lung cancer before, you may develop another type of lung cancer. Tuberculosis and pneumonia can leave scars on the lungs. The scarring is a risk factor for lung cancer. People who have had a head and neck cancer,have an increased risk of lung cancer.
-Exposure (air pollution, asbestos, silica, radon gas)
A number of things where you work can cause lung cancer. Asbestos, radon gas, silica, and diesel exhaust can all cause lung cancer. Asbestos worker are 7 time more likely to develop and die from lung cancer.Long term exposure to air pollution can also increase your risk of lung cancer.
-A family history of lung cancer
Researchers are looking into the history of lung cancer in families. It is possible that there is at least one lung cancer gene that can be passed down in families, regardless of whether you smoke or not.
-Previous lung disease or smoking related cancers
If you have had lung cancer before, you may develop another type of lung cancer. Tuberculosis and pneumonia can leave scars on the lungs. The scarring is a risk factor for lung cancer. People who have had a head and neck cancer,have an increased risk of lung cancer.
-Exposure (air pollution, asbestos, silica, radon gas)
A number of things where you work can cause lung cancer. Asbestos, radon gas, silica, and diesel exhaust can all cause lung cancer. Asbestos worker are 7 time more likely to develop and die from lung cancer.Long term exposure to air pollution can also increase your risk of lung cancer.
Symptoms
-Cough
-Wheezing
-Shortness of breath
-Coughing up blood (hemoptysis)
-Shoulder pain that travels down the outside of the arm
-Fatigue
-Unexplained weight loss
-Recurrent respiratory infections
-Hoarseness
-Wheezing
-Shortness of breath
-Coughing up blood (hemoptysis)
-Shoulder pain that travels down the outside of the arm
-Fatigue
-Unexplained weight loss
-Recurrent respiratory infections
-Hoarseness
Treatment
The treatments chosen depend on the individual, location and stage of the cancer, and the health of the patient.
Surgery
-surgery removes a tumor
-offers the greatest chance for survival
-mostly used in the early stages of the cancer, when it hasn't spread (I, II)
-pain after the surgery
-infection after the surgery
Chemotherapy
-chemotherapy uses chemicals or drugs to kill cancer cells
-chemotherapy can kill cancer cells that have metastasized from the original tumor because it travels in the blood
through the whole body
-may be given daily, weekly, or monthly, and can continue for months or years.
-chemotherapeutic drugs affect normal cells
-nausea
-vomiting
-weakened immune system
-hair loss
-fatigue
-bleeding
-infections
Radiation
-uses high-energy rays to kill or shrink cancer cells
-some healthy cells will be damaged by the radiation.
-radiation therapy is usually spaced over a number of weeks or months
-fatigue
-loss of appitite
-nausea
-hair loss
-skin reactions
Surgery
-surgery removes a tumor
-offers the greatest chance for survival
-mostly used in the early stages of the cancer, when it hasn't spread (I, II)
-pain after the surgery
-infection after the surgery
Chemotherapy
-chemotherapy uses chemicals or drugs to kill cancer cells
-chemotherapy can kill cancer cells that have metastasized from the original tumor because it travels in the blood
through the whole body
-may be given daily, weekly, or monthly, and can continue for months or years.
-chemotherapeutic drugs affect normal cells
-nausea
-vomiting
-weakened immune system
-hair loss
-fatigue
-bleeding
-infections
Radiation
-uses high-energy rays to kill or shrink cancer cells
-some healthy cells will be damaged by the radiation.
-radiation therapy is usually spaced over a number of weeks or months
-fatigue
-loss of appitite
-nausea
-hair loss
-skin reactions
progression/ stages
Doctors use certain tests to stage lung cancer including..
blood tests
X-rays
CT scans
bone scans
PET scans
Lung cancers are assigned a stage from I to IV in order of severity.
In stage 1, the cancer is only in the lung
In stage 2 and 3, the cancer is in the lung and possibly the lymph nodes.
In stage 4, the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
blood tests
X-rays
CT scans
bone scans
PET scans
Lung cancers are assigned a stage from I to IV in order of severity.
In stage 1, the cancer is only in the lung
In stage 2 and 3, the cancer is in the lung and possibly the lymph nodes.
In stage 4, the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
Lifestyle changes
-temporary or long-term assistance if you're not able to manage everyday skills
-mobility assistance or portable oxygen
-qualify for a handicapped parking sticker
-speech therapy
-good nutrition and exercise
-emotional support and counseling
-mobility assistance or portable oxygen
-qualify for a handicapped parking sticker
-speech therapy
-good nutrition and exercise
-emotional support and counseling
Shocking statistics
-The survival rate of greater than 5 years for lung cancer it's less than 16%. And for small cell lung cancer it's less than 5 %.
-Every 2 minutes someone is diagnosed with lung cancer.
-Every 2 minutes someone is diagnosed with lung cancer.
|
|
