Lung Cancer and Its Causation, Diagnosis and Treatment

Lung Cancer and Its Causation, Diagnosis and Treatment
By Dick Aronson

INTRODUCTION

Lung cancer may also be the most tragic cancer because in most
cases, it might have been prevented, 87% of cases
are caused by smoking. has long been the most common
cause of cancer death in men and since 1987 it has also become
the most common cause of cancer death in women. is
the second most commonly occurring form of cancer in most
western countries and although the incidence is less
common in developing countries, the rapid increase in the
popularity of smoking will see the number of lung cancer
sufferers in those countries quickly catch up with the western
world.

Lung cancers can arise in any part of the lung, and 90%-95% of
cancers of the lung are thought to arise from the epithelial, or
lining cells of the larger and smaller airways (bronchi and
bronchioles); for this reason, lung cancers are sometimes called
bronchogenic carcinomas or bronchogenic cancers.

The most common type of lung cancers are epidermoid carcinoma,
small cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma and large cell carcinoma.

Most experts agree that is attributable to
inhalation of carcinogenic pollutants by a susceptible host. Who
is most susceptible? Any smoker over the age of 40, especially
if they began smoking before the age of 15, have smoked 20 or
more for 20 years, or worked with or near asbestos. Two other
factors also increase susceptibility: exposure to carcinogenic
industrial and air pollutants (asbestos, uranium, arsenic,
nickel, iron oxides, chromium, radio active dust, and coal
dust.) and familial susceptibility.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

Because early usually produces no symptoms, the
disease is often in an advanced stage when first diagnosed. Late
stage signs are: with epidermoid and small cell carcinoma;
smokers cough, hoarseness, wheezing, dyspnea, hemoptysis and
chest pain. With adenocarcinoma and large cell carcinoma; fever,
weakness, weight loss, anorexia and shoulder pain. In addition,
hormone production which regulates various body functions may
also be affected.

DIAGNOSIS

Firm diagnosis requires chest x rays, sputum cytology, CT
scanning, bronchoscopy the examination of pleural fluid and
biopsies. Other tests to detect metastasis include bone scans,
bone marrow biopsy and CT scans of the brain and abdomen.

METASTASES

Lung cancer most often spreads to the liver, the adrenal
glands, the bones, and the brain. that has
metastasized to the bone causes bone pain, usually in the
backbone (vertebrae), the thighbones, and the ribs. Lung cancer
that

spreads to the brain can cause difficulties with vision and
weakness on one side of the body.

Lung cancer may grow into certain nerves in the neck, causing a
droopy eyelid, small pupil, sunken eye, and reduced perspiration
on one side of the face; together these symptoms are called
Horner's syndrome (see Autonomic Nervous System Disorders:
Horner's Syndrome). may grow directly into the
esophagus, or it may grow near it and put pressure on it,
leading to difficulty in swallowing. may also spread
through the bloodstream to the liver, brain, adrenal glands,
spinal cord, and bone.

TREATMENT

Treatment for depends on the cancer's specific cell
type, how far it has spread, and the patient's performance
status. If investigations confirm lung cancer, CT scan and often
positron emission tomography (PET) are used to determine whether
the disease is localised and amenable to surgery or whether it
has spread to the point where it cannot be cured surgically.
Treatment is usually a combination of surgery, chemotherapy and
radiation therapy.

Surgery is usually the first option. Chemotherapy can be used
as a first line treatment for or as additional
treatment after surgery. Radiation therapy can be directed at
your from outside your body (external beam
radiation) or it can be put inside needles, seeds or catheters
and placed inside your body near the cancer (brachytherapy).
Radiation therapy can be used alone or along with other lung
cancer treatments. Radiation therapy can also be used to lessen
side effects of lung cancer.

Treatment may not be as effective for patients with bone or
liver metastases from lung cancer, excessive weight loss,
ongoing cigarette use, or pre-existing medical conditions such
as heart disease or emphysema. At some point, if you and your
oncologist or primary care physician agree that treatment no
longer is advisable, hospice care can provide comfort.

About the Author: Dick Aronson has been involved in the
healthcare industry for 35 years.He has written numerous
articles on the subject and runs a number of informative
websites,viz: http://www.cancerinformation-online.com ,
http://www.prostatecancerinformation-online.com and
http://www.healthinnovationsonline.com

Source: http://www.isnare.com

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