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Lung Cancer Facts

Cells are the building blocks that form our lives. We know that cells naturally grow, divide, and multiply to keep out bodies healthy and strong. Occasionally, however, these same cells will divide and multiply when there is no need to do so. This results in a mass of cells known as a tumor, or cancer. An unchecked and rapid growth of cells in the lung is lung cancer. There are two forms of lung cancer: non-small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer.

By Ambrose Hutson

Cells are the building blocks that form our lives.  We know that cells naturally grow, divide, and multiply to keep out bodies healthy and strong.  Occasionally, however, these same cells will divide and multiply when there is no need to do so.  This results in a mass of cells known as a tumor, or cancer.  An unchecked and rapid growth of cells in the lung is lung cancer.  There are two forms of lung cancer: non-small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer.

Lung cancer has been categorized based upon the morphology of the cells as seen under a microscope. Each type of the lung cancer has its own method of treatment since they spread in different ways.

The most common form of lung cancer is non-small cell lung cancer, the type that slowly grows and spreads.  In this class are large cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma, the three major types of non-small cell lung cancer.

Less common are the forms of small cell lung cancer.  This form of cancer can quickly spread and may even affect different organs within the body.  Another term used for this type of lung cancer is oat cell cancer.

Recently lung cancer has been recognized as the deadliest form of cancer in many developed nations, including the USA where 170,000 people die from the disease each year. Even though lung changes start almost immediately upon exposure to carcinogens, lung cancer takes years together to develop.

The main cause of the lung cancer is the inhalation of the carcinogens through cigarette smoke by both smokers and non-smokers. The risk of lung cancer greatens when there is an environmental exposure to radon compounded with smoking. Aside from this, lung cancer is considered to be an occupational hazard among the people who are working in asbestos industry, which is known as mesothelioma lung cancer.

Lung cancer is most prevalent in people over fifty who have been smoking for many years.  Lung cancer symptoms may vary based upon the location of the tumor in the lungs.  Patients may suspect lung cancer when they suffer with chronic cough, wheezing, chest pain and recurring lung infections.

The preliminary diagnosis of lung cancer can easily be done by an experienced health care professional.  This is based on symptoms, smoking history, medical history, earlier family history of lung cancer and exposure to occupational and environmental risk factors.  A second series of tests is performed to confirm the diagnosis.  These can include a chest x-ray, which will diagnose small cell or non-small cell lung cancer and gauge the stage to which the cancer has developed.  Medical professionals can also confirm whether or not the cancer is localized in the lung or has spread to other parts of the body.

There are several treatment options for lung cancer patients.  Chemotherapy is a treatment that uses medications to eliminate the cancerous cells.  Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays and X-Rays for cell elimination.  Surgery is another option in which the cancerous tumor is removed from the body.  There is a moderate success rate of treating early stage lung cancer, although treatment of advanced stage lung cancer is considered to be difficult.

As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. If you smoke, protect yourself from lung cancer by butting out for good.  If you quit smoking now, you can gradually decrease your risk of cancer over the next 10 to 15 years as your lungs recover.

Author Ambrose Hutson loves writing for a variety of Internet magazines, on health product and personal health care subjects.

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