According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2006, 196,454 people in the United States were diagnosed with lung cancer, and 158,599 sufferers died. Smokers are 10 to 20 times more likely to be diagnosed with lung cancer than nonsmokers.
Causes
The chemicals in tobacco are the cause of most lung cancer cases, according to the Mayo Clinic. This includes secondhand smoke. There are two types of lung cancer, small cell and nonsmall cell. Small-cell lung cancer is found almost exclusively in heavy smokers, according to the Mayo Clinic. Nonsmall-cell lung cancers include squamous cell, carcinoma, adenocarcinoma and large-cell carcinoma. According to the American Cancer Society, causes of nonsmall-cell include secondhand smoke, radon gas, asbestos, radiation treatment to the lungs, arsenic, family history and air pollution.
Signs and Symptoms
Signs and symptoms generally do not emerge in the early stages of lung cancer, appearing only after the cancer has advanced. According to the Mayo Clinic, signs and symptoms can include: a cough that won't go away, changes in a smoker's cough, producing blood when coughing, shortness of breath, chest pain, wheezing, hoarseness, weight loss, bone pain and headache.
Tests and Diagnosis
According to the Mayo Clinic, lung cancer is diagnosed by having the patient go through a series of tests that may include X-rays, a CT scan, lung biopsy and sputum cytology. Once a person is diagnosed with lung cancer, the tests can confirm how far the cancer has spread, which will allow the doctor to determine the stage of the cancer. Stages of nonsmall-cell lung cancer include: In Stage I, the cancer is in the underlying lung tissue but has not spread to the lymph nodes. Stage II is when the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes and possibly the chest. In Stage IIIA, the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes in the center of the chest. In Stage IIIB, the cancer has spread to the heart, blood vessels, trachea and esophagus. In Stage IV, the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
Treatment
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, treatment is based on the type of lung cancer and the stage. Surgery, chemotherapy and radiation can be used to treat lung cancer. With lung cancer, patients will usually have more than one type of treatment. If the person is diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer, surgery, radiation and chemotherapy may be offered or supportive care can be provided. Clinical trials are also suggested at this stage.
Prevention
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 90 percent of men and 80 percent of women diagnosed with lung cancer are smokers. Smoking and tobacco should be stopped to lessen the chances of lung cancer. Avoiding secondhand smoke can also reduce a person's chances for developing lung cancer.
