The lungs are used to breathe in vital air for respiration. When they cannot perform this duty, your whole body can suffer. Smoking is a habit that can make this job difficult and it can ultimately lead to lung cancer. Adenocarcinoma is a form of lung cancer that is classified as a non-small cell lung cancer.
Risks
Smoking is already a known risk factor for adenocarcinoma, but secondhand smoke can also cause it. Consistent breathing in of carcinogens and gases can also increase your risks. Examples of these include radon, arsenic, uranium, mustard gas, vinyl chloride and asbestos.
Symptoms
The symptoms that are seen with adenocarcinoma are the same as those seen with other forms of cancer that take place in the lungs. Coughing up blood, chronic coughing, wheezing, hoarseness, pain in the chest and weight loss are all examples. Complications can also develop like fluid in the lungs, metastasizing and in the worst of cases, death.
Tests
Diagnosing adenocarcinoma is done using several methods. A sputum sample can be taken and inspected for cancerous cells. A biopsy is done by taken actual tissue from the lungs and inspecting it for cancer. When fluid has built up in the chest, a thoracentesis procedure is performed, where fluid is extracted and inspected for cancer cells.
Treatments
The main treatment option for all non-small lung cancers is surgery. There are actually three different procedures that can be done. A wedge resection involves removing a small portion of the lung. Lobectomy is a more involved procedure where a lobe of the lung is removed. In the most severe cases, the whole lung can be removed in a procedure called a "pneumonectomy." After surgery has been performed, chemotherapy and radiation are often done to prevent the cancer from spreading.
Prevention/Solution
Preventive measures can be taken to ensure you steer clear of adenocarcinoma. If you currently smoke, quit. If you are constantly exposed to secondhand smoke or toxic gases, avoid them at all costs, or at least wear protective gear when around them. Exercise for 30 minutes a day and include lots of fruits and vegetables in your diet.
