what is lung cancer

What is Lung Cancer Survival Rate

Two types of lung cancer are small cell lung cancers (SCLC) and non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC). Non-small cell lung cancers are more often diagnosed. About 80 percent of lung cancer cases account to non-small cell lung cancers. They are divided into three types: adenocarcinomas, squamous cell carcinomas, and large cell carcinomas. Small cell lung cancers arise in the lung tissue. They spread more rapidly than most non-small cell lung cancers. About 20 percent of lung cancers account to small cell lung cancer. Prognostic factors in non-small cell lung cancer include the presence of pulmonary symptoms, cancer size, histology, staging, the extent of metastases, and vascular invasion. Patients who are considered inoperable, have lower lung cancer survival rate. Such prognostic factors include performance status, gender, cancer stage, and involvement of the central nervous system (liver) upon diagnosis. Prognosis for non-small cell lung carcinoma is generally poor.

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What is Adenocarcinoma lung cancer

Non-small cell lung cancers are grouped together because they display similar prognosis and management options. These sub-types are adenocarcinoma lung cancer, squamous cell lung cancer, and large cell lung cancer. Adenocarcinoma is a cancer that arises in a glandular tissue. The tissue is also part of a larger category, the epithelial. Adenocarcinomas, do not have to be part of the gland. As long as they have secretory properties, they can be classified as adenocarcinomas. Such form of carcinoma occurs in few higher mammals including man. Through biopsy, a pathologist determines if the tumor is an adenocarcinoma or another type of cancer. Adenocarcinoma can originate in many tissues of the body. Each gland does not secrete the same substance but for as long as there is an exocrine function to the cell, it is considered glandular. A malignant form therein is named “adenocarcinoma”. Abnormal tissue that is considered benign (not malignant) [...]

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What are the stages of Lung Cancer

The lungs lying above the diaphragm and under the rib cage make up one of the largest organs in the body. The lungs take carbon dioxide from the bloodstream in exchange for oxygen. This vital process is largely affected when infections and diseases, including cancer, occur, making it difficult to breathe. Lung cancer is the second most diagnosed cancer for both males and females. Smoking is the main risk factor for a person’s chance of developing the disease. Lung cancer limits the patient’s ability to perform daily activities. Treatment options must be discussed carefully with healthcare providers with the goal of minimally disrupting lifestyle. Oncologists work alongside practitioners from different medical disciplines to provide medical support to patients helping them to remain healthy and active as much as possible. Naturopathy, nutrition, and pain management are usually integrated with conventional lung cancer treatments like chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery.

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Small Cell Lung Cancer Treatment

Small cell lung cancer or small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC), also known as the oat cell carcinoma, is less common. It usually originates in larger airways and rapidly grows allowing it to become large. This lung cancer type is strongly associated with smoking. It tends to start in the primary and secondary bronchi (larger airways) and grows quickly, becoming enlarged. The “oat” cell has dense vesicles containing neuroendocrine hormones (neurosecretory granules) that give it an endocrine or paraneoplastic syndrome association. Small cell lung carcinoma initially responds to chemotherapy but carries a worse prognosis. Often, it is of metastatic presentation. The most effective small cell lung cancer treatment is chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is the treatment of disease with the use of chemicals. Such chemicals for medication kill cells, good and bad, but are targeted to micro-organisms or cancerous tumors. Popularly, chemotherapy refers to the use of antineoplastic drugs or a combination of [...]

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Lung cancer chemotherapy – what is lung cancer

The lungs are located above the diaphragm and under the rib cage making up one of the largest organs in the body. Breathing is the vital process affected by a malignant growth in the lungs or lung cancer. Lung cancer is the second most diagnosed cancer wherein most cases are associated with smoking. Small cell lung cancers (SCLC) and non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC) are the two types of lung cancer. Non-small cell lung cancers (adenocarcinomas, squamous cell carcinomas, and large cell carcinomas) are more common than small cell lung cancers. Small cell lung cancers spread more rapidly than non-small cell lung cancers and are generally more dangerous. Lung cancer treatment depends on the type and stage of the tumor, how far it has spread, and the patient’s performance status.

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Lung Cancer Symptoms – What is Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancerous deaths. Most people diagnosed with it die within one year of diagnosis. Cigarette smoking is the leading etiology. At the time of diagnosis, distant metastasis is common. Most primary lung tumors are bronchogenic or of the airway epithelium. Small-cell carcinomas grow rapidly and invade tissue early while non-small-cell carcinomas are less rapid and invasive. Regardless, bronchogenic cancers tend to be aggressive, locally invasive, and have widespread metastatic lesions. Usual metastases grow in the brain, bone, or liver via lymph channels. Superior Vena Cava Syndrome occurs when the enlarged tumors obstruct the superior vena cava. Up to a quarter of people with lung cancer may not experience symptoms when it is diagnosed. Lung cancer is usually identified incidentally when chest x-rays are preformed for other reasons. Majority of patients, however, experience symptoms. These are cause by the effects of the primary tumor, effects [...]

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What is Lung Cancer

To understand what is lung cancer, we need to explain tumors. Tumor markers are substances produced by cancer cells. They reflect the presence or absence of cancer, and indicate whether a cancer returns (recurs) after treatment. Tumors in the lungs are divided into two types: non-small lung cancer (including large cell lung cancer , squamous cell carcinoma , and adenocarcinoma ) and small cell lung cancer . Non-small lung cancer is by far the most common type of lung cancer. Tumor that has spread outside to other pars of the body is classified as Stage 4 (IV). Tumors that attack normal tissue and eventually spread to other parts of the body are considered malignant (cancerous). Also it is important to warn to all of you searching what is lung cancer , that smokers are at much greater risk of getting lung cancer and passive smoking has also been linked to [...]

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