Lung Cancer Health Information

Top : Conditions and Diseases : Lung Cancer



Lung cancer is the leading cancer killer among both men and women. There are two major types of lung cancer: non-small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer. Non-small cell lung cancer is much more common. It usually spreads to different parts of the body more slowly than small cell lung cancer. Squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, and large cell carcinoma are three types of non-small cell lung cancer. Small cell lung cancer also called oat cell cancer, accounts for about 20 percent of all lung cancer.

Besides only harming the smokee, a person who smokes can also affect a nonsmoker nearby who is inhaling the smoke. "Secondhand" smoking, thus, is another important cause of lung cancer and had become responsible for about 3,000 deaths annually.

Lung cancer can take many years to develop, but changes in the lung start to begin almost as soon as a person is exposed to cancer-causing substances.

Causes of Lung Cancer:

Lung cancer is primarily caused by smoking which makes this type of cancer very preventable. While cigarette smoke contains more than 4,000 different chemicals, smoking cigars or pipes also increases the risk of lung cancer.

Besides smoking, lunng cancer can also be caused by certain jobs in which you are exposed to certain types of insulation, working in cove ovens, or repairing breaks.

Symptoms of Lung Cancer:

Chronic cough, hoarseness, coughing up blood, weight loss & loss of appetite, shortness of breath, fever without a known reason, wheezing, repeated bouts of bronchitis or pneumonia, chest pain

Cures / Preventions for Lung Cancer:

The longer you smoke and the greater amount you smoke, the greater your risk of lung cancer. However, if you stop smoking, the risk of lung cancer decreases each year as normal cells replace abnormal cells. After ten years, the risk drops to a level that is one-third to one-half of the risk for people who continue to smoke. Also, quitting smoking greatly reduces the risk of developing other smoking-related diseases, such as heart disease, stroke, emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

Treatment for Lung Cancer:

Doctors decide on the type of treatment based on the type of lung cancer, the size, location and extent of the tumor, and your general health. Some treatments include:
  • Surgery: Used in limited stages of the disease and the type of surgery depends on where the tumor is located in the lung.
  • Radiation Therapy: A form of high energy X-ray that kills cancer cells. It is used together with chemotherapy and sometimes surgery.
  • Chemotheraphy: Use of drugs that are effective against cancer cells. Chemotherapy may be injected directly into a vein or through a catheter. Some Chemotherapy drugs are taken by pill. It may be used together with surgery, in more advanced stages of the disease, and in all stages of small cell cancer.

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