About Lung Cancer
Lung cancer is a malignant disease that occurs in lung tissue. Lung cancer ranks second leading cause of death of a person from cancer, after breast cancer. Lung cancer contribute to 32% of deaths in men and 25% in women with cancer so that it becomes a major cause of cancer death.
Cancer derived from cells in the lungs could also come from cancer of other body parts, but spread to the lungs. There are 180 thousand people are convicted each year of lung cancer, 86% of them will die within five years since diagnosed (in the U.S. alone).
It is important for us to understand how the structure of the human lung and how it works so that we can understand lung cancer.
Lung anatomy
 |
| image credit: arlinbiocomunity-biocomunity.blogspot.com |
Lung organ located in the chest cavity (thoracic cavity). Collar bone structure protect the lungs. Two walls known as the pleura covering this respiratory organ. Both layers are separated by a layer of air, known as the pleural cavity containing pleural fluid.
Humans breathe to get oxygen. However, not all of the inhaled air can be used by the body because the air is mixed with various types of gas. At the time we breathe, the lungs draw air from the chamber throat. Order ribs pulled towards the inside, and the diaphragm under the ribs move upward as we exhale. When the lungs decreases, the air inside the air sacs gradually pushed out through the windpipe.
Types of Lung Cancer
In general, there are two types of lung cancer, each of which has different behavior and require different handling.
Here are the types of lung cancer:
1. Non Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC):
a.Recurrent squamous cell carcinoma:
This is the most common type of lung cancer occurred. This type of cancer develops in cells that line on the airways. The main cause of recurrent squamous cell carcinoma is the habit of smoking.
b. Adenocarcinoma
This type of cancer develops from cells that produce mucus (sputum) on the surface of the airways.
c. Large cell carcinoma
This form of cancer cells under the microscope as the name implies: a large round cells. Often referred to as undifferentiated carcinoma
NSCLC includes more than 80% of cancer cases.
2. Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC).
3. Mesotheolima is a type of cancer that attacks the mesothelium, the thin membrane lining the chest (pleura) and abdomen (peritoneum). It sometimes occurs in people exposed to asbestos.
Causes of Lung Cancer
Lung cancer has always been synonymous with a smoker. However, many factors can cause lung cancer.
 |
| image credit: http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1379962 |
Lung cancer is caused by many factors. The most numerous and the main cause is smoking. But the environment also influences. Examples are asbestos, has been known to people living with ceiling using asbestos have an increased risk of lung cancer. It is therefore best to avoid asbestos when building a house.
Radon can also contribute as a cause of lung cancer. Radon is a natural gas that is colorless and odorless. This gas is in uranium, in an industrial environment. So, for people who are in a region thought to contain radon, such as industry, can use the masks in anticipation of lung cancer.
Carcinogenic substances that cause lung cancer such as nickel, kronium also present in the environment, such as at work or home.
People who drink lots of alcohol, a potentially taxable as lung cancer, especially if your age is getting older.
Genetic factors is also one cause of lung cancer, but not so large, only 10 to 15 percent. For those who already smoke, stop immediately because of the danger. People who stop smoking reduce the risk of lung cancer.
Symptoms of Lung Cancer
There are some symptoms of lung cancer are:
a. shortness of breath,
b. prolonged cough,
c. coughing of blood,
d. chest pain,
e. sigh,
f. fever,
g. and weight loss.
Usually these symptoms will occur when the cancer is already stepping on the final stage, which means that smokers will not realize that he had cancer at a young age. Lung cancer symptoms that often occur in the community is a long coughing in people who smoke, difficulty breathing, voice changes than usual, and cough for more than two weeks in people who do not smoke.
Lung Cancer Treatment
 |
There are several types of lung cancer treatment, namely surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. The types of treatment tailored to the type of cancer, the level of expansion or spread at the time of diagnosis, and overall health condition of the patient. Surgery is the main treatment measures in the early stages of cancer. Patients who undergo surgery can not switch to radio therapy.
Cure rates of lung cancer is still very good if it is still at an early stage. The problem is, lung cancer is rarely detected at an early stage. If cancer cells have spread to other areas, treatment options are chemotherapy and radio therapy. If cancer is blocking the main air flow, the laser can be used to freeze the tumor, or keep open the flow of air with a stent, or tube.
Lung cancer prevention
The main way to reduce one's risk of lung cancer is to quit smoking. Other cancer prevention efforts known as Chemoprevention. Chemoprevention is the use of natural materials, methods of a particular diet and synthetic chemicals to prevent disease progression such as vitamins, diet, and hormone therapy.
There are many ways and the material being tested with the aim not only to reduce cancer risk, but also to reduce the chance of cancer growth.
source:
