Lung malignancies, or lung cancers, are aggressive lesions that threaten a person's health and life. Lung malignancies can originate from cells of the lungs or occur from the spread of cancer cells originating from other parts of the body. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, lung malignancies are the most common cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. Weight loss is a common symptom associated with malignancies.
Types of Lung Malignancies
Lung malignancies are categorized into two main groups: bronchogenic cancers, or lesions that originate from the windpipes and lungs, and metastatic cancers, or lesions that spread to the lungs from other sites, such as the breasts, colon, testicles and kidneys. According to "Pocket Medicine," bronchogenic cancers constitute 75 percent of lung malignancies, and metastatic cancers constitute 20 percent of lung malignancies.
Weight Loss
Weight loss in relation to malignancies is the loss of total body mass without dietary changes or higher than normal levels of physical activity; weight loss, in this case, is an indicator of increased energy demand in the body. Lung malignancies are composed of foreign cells that do not behave like normal cells; the immune system activity increases upon recognition of foreign cells. The increased immune system activity also results in increased energy consumption. Lung malignancies grow rapidly, and to do so, they must consume energy at the expense of normal body processes.
Risk Factors for Lung Malignancies
The incidence of lung malignancies increases with age; lung cancer is more prevalent in people over the age of 65. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, smoking is the most common risk factor for lung malignancies in the United States. Other risk factors for lung malignancies include personal or family history of lung malignancies, exposure to secondhand smoke, prior exposure to asbestos and a history of radiation treatment.
Weight Control
To prevent weight loss, a person with lung cancer must make dietary changes that accommodates the increased consumption of energy in the body. Adequate nutrition not only helps to maintain weight, it also maintains strength and energy, decreases the risk for infection and improves recovery time. A diet consisting of a variety of foods helps to provide the range of nutrients required by the body. A person with lung cancer should increase the intake of protein, which provides energy and sustains growth; protein is necessary for tissue repair. Fats provide twice as much energy per gram in comparison to proteins and carbohydrates; in a person experiencing weight loss as a result of cancer, moderate increases in fat intake help meet energy requirements and prevent weight loss. Certain fats are better than others; the consumption of saturated and trans-fats should be avoided due to potential adverse effects on the heart. Carbohydrates provide readily available energy for shorter periods of time in comparison to proteins and fats.
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: NPCR Education and Training Series, Series 8 -- Lung Cancer
- "Pocket Medicine"; Solitary Pulmonary Nodule; Marc S. Sabatine M.D., M.P.H.; 2004
- Cancer.org: Benefits of Good Nutrition
- "Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine"; Dennis L. Kasper, M.D., Eugene Braunwald, M.D. and Anthony S. Fauci, M.D.; 2005
