Lung Cancer : Lung Cancer Types, Causes and Symptoms

Lung Cancer

About Lung Cancer :

Lung cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the lungs. It is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in one or both lungs.Our lungs are two spongy organs in our chest that inhale oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide. Lung cancers can start in the cells lining the bronchi and parts of the lung such as the bronchioles or alveoli.

Cancer Developing

People who smoke have the greatest risk of lung cancer. The risk of lung cancer increases with the time span and number of cigarettes you've smoked. If you quit smoking, even after smoking for many years, you can significantly reduce your chances of developing lung cancer.
Lung cancer claims more lives each year than do colon, prostate, ovarian and breast cancers combined.

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Lung Cancer Types

There are two major types of Lung Cancer: Non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC)and Small cell lung cancers (SCLC.

1. Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)

Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) is the most common type of lung cancer. It accounts for about 85-90 percent of lung cancers.

2. Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC)

Small Cell Lung Cancer SCLC comprise of remaining 10%-15% of lung cancers. It is a fast-growing cancer that spreads rapidly to other parts of the body earlier than non-small cell lung cancer.

Small cell lung cancer is called this because under the microscope the cancer cells look small and are mostly filled with the nucleus (the control center of cells). It is likewise called oat cell cancer.

Signs and Symptoms of lung cancer

Early Symptoms of Lung Cancer

There are usually no signs or symptoms in the early stages of lung cancer, until they have spread too far to be cured. Some of the common Symptoms of Cancer are :

◊ A cough that does not go away after two or three weeks or gets worse

◊ Chest pain that is often worse with deep breathing, coughing, or laughing

◊ Hoarseness

◊ Weight loss and loss of appetite

Prolonged Coughing is a Symptom of Lung Cancer

◊ Coughing up blood or rust-colored sputum even a small amount

◊ Persistent chest infections

◊ Shortness of breath

◊ Feeling tired or weak

◊ Chest pain

◊ New onset of wheezing

◊ Infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia that don’t go away or keep coming back

Other Symptoms of lung cancer that may occur

Less Common Symptoms of Lung Cancer :

ο Muscle wasting (also known as cachexia)Fatigue

ο Headaches, bone or joint pain

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ο Bone fractures not related to accidental injury

ο Neurological symptoms, such as unsteady gait or memory loss

ο Neck or facial swelling

ο General weakness

ο Bleeding

ο Blood clots

ο Swelling of your face or neck

ο Difficulty swallowing or pain when swallowing

ο A hoarse voice

Lung Cancer Causes

♥ Smoking:

People who smoke have the greatest risk of lung cancer. About 90% of lung cancers arising as a result of tobacco. The risk of lung cancer increases with the number of cigarettes smoked over time.

The risk of lung cancer increases with the time span and number of cigarettes you've smoked. If you quit smoking, even after smoking for many years, you can significantly reduce your chances of developing lung cancer.

Passive Smoking can cause Lung Cancer to Non-Smoker

Other products responsible for lung cancer are:

→ cigars

→ pipe tobacco

→ snuff (a powdered form of tobacco)

→ chewing tobacco

♥ Passive smoking

Even If you do not smoke, frequent exposure to other people’s smoking can increase your risk of developing lung cancer.
Research has shown that non-smokers who reside with a smoker have 25% more likely to develop lung cancer than non-smoking women who live with a non-smoking partner.

♥ Radon Gas

Radon is produced by the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water that eventually becomes part of the air you breathe.

Radon gas is a known cause of lung cancer, with an estimated 12% of lung cancer deaths.

♥ Family History of Lung Cancer

People with a parent, sibling or child with lung cancer have an increased risk of Lung Cancer.

♥ Air pollution

Air pollution from vehicles, industry, and power plants, can increase the risk of developing lung cancer. Up to 1% of lung cancer deaths are attributable to breathing polluted air.

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