Lung Caner Biography
(Source google.com)
Lung cancer (also known as
carcinoma of the lung) is a disease characterized by uncontrolled cell growth
in tissues of the lung. If left untreated, this growth can spread beyond the
lung by process of metastasis into nearby tissue or other parts of the body.
Most cancers that start in the lung, known as primary lung cancers, are
carcinomas that derive from epithelial cells. The main types of lung cancer are
small-cell lung carcinoma (SCLC), also called oat cell cancer, and
non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). The most common symptoms are coughing
(including coughing up blood), weight loss, shortness of breath, and chest
pains. The most common cause of lung
cancer is long-term exposure to tobacco smoke,[which causes 80–90% of lung
cancers. Nonsmokers account for 10–15% of lung cancer cases, and these cases
are often attributed to a combination of genetic factors, and exposure to;
radon gas, asbestos, and air pollution including second-hand smoke. Lung cancer
may be seen on chest radiographs and computed tomography(CT) scans. The
diagnosis is confirmed by biopsy which is usually performed bybronchoscopy or
CT-guidance. Treatment and long-term outcomes depend on the type of cancer, the
stage (degree of spread), and the person's overall health, measured byperformance
status. Common treatments include
surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. NSCLC is sometimes treated with
surgery, whereas SCLC usually responds better to chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Overall, 15% of people in the United
States diagnosed with lung cancersurvive
five years after the diagnosis. Outcomes are worse in the developing world.
Worldwide, lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer-related death in men
and women, and is responsible for 1.38 million deaths annually, as of 2008. Signs and symptoms which may suggest lung cancer include, respiratory symptoms: coughing,
coughing up blood, wheezing or shortness of breath systemic symptoms: weight loss,
fever, clubbing of the fingernails, or fatigue symptoms due to local compress:
chest pain, bone pain, superior vena cava obstruction, difficulty swallowing If the cancer grows in the
airways, it may obstruct airflow, causing breathing difficulties. The
obstruction can lead to accumulation of secretions behind the blockage, and
predispose to pneumonia. Depending on the type of tumor,
so-called paraneoplastic phenomena may initially attract attention to the
disease. In lung cancer, these phenomena may include Lambert–Eaton myasthenic
syndrome (muscle weakness due to autoantibodies), hypercalcemia, orsyndrome of
inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH). Tumors in the top of the lung,
known as Pancoast tumors, may invade the local part of the sympathetic nervous
system, leading to Horner's syndrome (dropping of the eyelid and a small pupil
on that side), as well as damage to the brachial plexus. Many of the symptoms of lung
cancer (poor appetite, weight loss, fever, fatigue) are not specific. In many
people, the cancer has already spread beyond the original site by the time they
have symptoms and seek medical attention. Common sites of spread include the
brain, bone, adrenal glands, opposite lung, liver, pericardium, and kidneys.
About 10% of people with lung cancer do not have symptoms at diagnosis; these
cancers are incidentally found on routine chest radiography.
Cancer develops following genetic damage to DNA and epigenetic changes. These changes affect the normal functions of the cell, including cell proliferation, programmed cell death (apoptosis) and DNA repair. As more damage accumulates, the risk of cancer Smoking, particularly of cigarettes, is by far the main contributor to lung cancer.[ Cigarette smoke contains over 60 known carcinogens, including radioisotopes from the radon decay sequence, nitrosamine, and benzopyrene. Additionally, nicotine appears to depress the immune response to cancerous growths in exposed tissue. Across the developed world, 90% of lung cancer deaths in men during the year 2000 were attributed to smoking (70% for women). Smoking accounts for 80–90% of lung cancer cases. Passive smoking—the inhalation of smoke from another's smoking—is a cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers. A passive smoker can be classified as someone living or working with a smoker. Studies from theUS , Europe, the UK , and Australia have consistently shown a
significantly increased risk among those exposed to passive smoke. Those who
live with someone who smokes have a 20–30% increase in risk while those who
work in an environment with second hand smoke have a 16–19% increase in risk. Investigations of sidestream smoke suggest it
is more dangerous than direct smoke.
Passive smoking causes about 3,400 deaths from lung cancer each year in
the USA .
Cancer develops following genetic damage to DNA and epigenetic changes. These changes affect the normal functions of the cell, including cell proliferation, programmed cell death (apoptosis) and DNA repair. As more damage accumulates, the risk of cancer Smoking, particularly of cigarettes, is by far the main contributor to lung cancer.[ Cigarette smoke contains over 60 known carcinogens, including radioisotopes from the radon decay sequence, nitrosamine, and benzopyrene. Additionally, nicotine appears to depress the immune response to cancerous growths in exposed tissue. Across the developed world, 90% of lung cancer deaths in men during the year 2000 were attributed to smoking (70% for women). Smoking accounts for 80–90% of lung cancer cases. Passive smoking—the inhalation of smoke from another's smoking—is a cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers. A passive smoker can be classified as someone living or working with a smoker. Studies from the
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