Lung cancer occurs when malignant cells in the lung multiply and migrate. The killer cells cluster together and develop into a tumor. Unlike normal cells, malignant cancer cells grow unchecked or without regulation, destroying surrounding healthy tissue as they go. Although most cases are not fatal, they can spread to other parts of your body, and even to other people. If diagnosed early, this type of cancer can be treated successfully.
Signs and Symptoms of Lung Cancer
There are two main types of lung cancer, both non-small cell and small cell. Non-small cell lung cancer is also called non-small cancer of the lung. It occurs more frequently in smokers, which suggests a strong link between smoking and this disease. It's also found more often in people whose family has a history of the illness. Non-small cell lung cancer accounts for approximately five percent of all lung cancers.
Small cell lung cancer is known by its more specific name, adenocarcinoma. It develops very quickly and typically affects young adults. Malignant cells usually grow uncontrollably, invading the affected area and potentially surrounding healthy tissue. The majority of symptoms in this condition are pain during breathing and shortness of breath.
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Stages
One of the biggest challenges in diagnosing this disease is that it commonly doesn't manifest until it's significantly advanced. Symptoms often develop years after an individual may have been exposed to asbestos. Many of the symptoms related to non-cancerous lung cancer symptoms, such as shortness of breath, do not necessarily indicate the presence of a malignant tumor. They can be caused by many conditions, including chronic bronchitis, emphysema, COPD, asthma, tuberculosis, and minor respiratory conditions such as flu or allergies. Other common symptoms of this disease include weight loss, coughing fits, swelling of the chest, fever, and fatigue.
New Treatments for Lung Cancer
Treatment for lung cancer varies based on whether the tumors grow excessively. In the event that the cancer spreads to other parts of the body, surgery and radiation therapy may be used to attempt to remove the remaining tumors. If the tumor is not malignant, surgery and chemotherapy may also be used to try to kill the remaining cells.
Lung Cancer Survival Rates
This type of cancer develops in both humans and animals. It has no current treatment, and victims often have a difficult time determining whether they have been exposed to asbestos. Physicians generally diagnose this condition based on symptoms alone, so patients must be careful to note any unusual symptoms that may be related. Unfortunately, even with thorough symptom documentation, tumors may be difficult to eliminate, so early detection is extremely important.
Small cell carcinomas are most often responsible for causing respiratory tract symptoms. They can grow on the lining of the lung's tissues and may cause chronic coughs and wheezing as well as shortness of breath and chest pain. As the cancer grows, it may begin to block air passages or even grow into the air sacs that provide a lung's life support. If the cancer continues to spread, the lungs could become completely blocked or become a mass of scar tissue.
Symptoms can also occur in individuals who have never experienced exposure to asbestos, such as employees in industries that used the substance without incident. Individuals with an increased risk of developing cancer include those who smoke, have had exposure to chemicals, or are otherwise exposed to a variety of toxic substances. Those with pre-existing illness or weak immune systems are at the greatest risk of contracting the disease. If you believe that you have developed this type of cancer, you should contact a lung cancer attorney to discuss your case.
Another type of cancer that is more commonly associated with tobacco use and other occupational hazards is patients with stage 4 liver cancer. Exocrine tumors are generally lumpy growths that appear on the outer surface of the lungs or chest cavity. These tumors are not cancerous, but they are not benign either. Instead, they are simply tissue layers that have formed around the affected tissue. This tissue normally dissolves on its own after death, but it can be removed and examined to reveal the cancer beneath. Unfortunately, this type of cancer is difficult to detect at an early stage, which makes it particularly important that if you believe that you might have it that you get a diagnosis before it's too late.
Some lung cancers, however, are easy to detect by either a CT scan or an MRI. If the tumors grow large enough, they can be seen on an x-ray as well. Sometimes these tumors grow slowly over time and no signs or symptoms are noticed until much later. Detecting the condition before it advances to a point where surgical options may be discussed is important. Surgery is the only option for treating these large, growing tumors because chemotherapy is not always successful in shrinking them.
Once a doctor determines that you have advanced lung cancer, there are many treatments available that will either reduce the size of the tumor and lessen your pain or kill the cancerous cells. Treatment options will depend upon the extent of your cancer. For some patients, treatments may include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Your doctor can provide more information about these options and discuss your treatment options with you. The earlier the cancer is detected, the better your chances of surviving the disease. Early detection is key in keeping your lungs are functioning properly so you can breathe easier and sooner.