Definition
Lung cancer is cancer that begins in the lungs, the two organs found in the chest that help you breathe.
The lungs are made up of areas called lobes. The right lung has three lobes; the left lung has two, so there's room for the heart. When you breathe, air goes through your nose, down your windpipe (trachea), and into the lungs where it spreads through tubes called bronchi. Most lung cancer begins in the cells that line these tubes.
There are two main types of lung cancer:
Keep reading...
Definition
Lung cancer is cancer that begins in the lungs, the two organs found in the chest that help you breathe.
The lungs are made up of areas called lobes. The right lung has three lobes; the left lung has two, so there's room for the heart. When you breathe, air goes through your nose, down your windpipe (trachea), and into the lungs where it spreads through tubes called bronchi. Most lung cancer begins in the cells that line these tubes.
There are two main types of lung cancer:
Keep reading...
Symptoms
Early lung cancer may not cause any symptoms. Many times, lung cancer is found when an x-ray is done for another reason.
Symptoms depend on the specific type of cancer you have, but may include:
Additional symptoms that may also occur with lung cancer:
Keep reading...
Causes
Lung cancer is the deadliest type of cancer for both men and women. Each year, more people die of lung cancer than breast, colon, and prostate cancers combined.
Lung cancer is more common in older adults. It is rare in people under age 45.
Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer.
The more cigarettes you smoke per day and the earlier you started smoking, the greater your risk of lung cancer. There is no evidence that smoking low-tar cigarettes lowers the risk.
However, lung cancer has occurred in people who have never smoked.
Secondhand smoke (breathing the smoke of others) increases your risk of lung cancer. According to the American ...
Keep reading...
Treatment
Treatment depends on the specific type of lung cancer. Each type is treated differently. Chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery may be needed.
See the individual articles on the different types of lung cancer:
Keep reading...
Possible Complications
The cancer may spread to other parts of the body (metastasis). Cancer treatment can cause significant side effects.
Outlook (Prognosis)
How well a patient does depends on the following:
- Type of lung cancer
- Whether or not the cancer has spread
- Your age
- Your overall health
- How well you respond to treatment
The earlier the cancer is found, the better the chances of survival. Lung cancer is a deadly disease. Nearly 60% of people with lung cancer die within a year. However, some people are cured and go on to live many years.
Keep reading...
Prevention
If you smoke, quit. It is never too late to stop smoking. You should also avoid breathing in the smoke from other people's cigarettes, cigars, or pipes.
Eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables may help prevent some cases of lung cancer.
Exams and Tests
The health care provider will perform a physical exam and ask questions about your medical history. You will be asked if you smoke, and if so, how long you have smoked.
When listening to the chest with a stethoscope, the health care provider can sometimes hear fluid around the lungs, which could (but doesn't always) suggest cancer.
Tests that may be performed include:
In some cases, the health care provider may ...
Keep reading...
References
Mason RJ, Murray J, VC Broaddus, Nadel J. Textbook of Respiratory Medicine . 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders; 2005:1311-1409.
Gallus S. Smoking high tar cigarettes increases risk of death from lung cancer, but no differences in risk for smokers of very low, low and medium tar cigarettes. Evidence-based Healthcare . Aug 2004; 8(4); 207.
Sugimura H. Long-term survivorship in lung cancer: a review. Chest . Apr 2006; 129(4): 1088-97.
