Lung CancerLung cancer results when there is cell disruption in creating new cells. As the new cell growth becomes disrupted, a tumor is eventually formed which leads into serious problems. A tumor on the lung can be either benign, or malignant. Tumors that are non-cancerous can be removed, and cause no further problems. Cancerous tumors are trouble though, and can easily spread out to other areas in the body. Tumor cells get into the bloodstream or lymph nodes, and do what is referred to as metastasis. Any carcinoma of the lung does this easily, even early on in the course. Tumors which metastasize are made from the same type of cells as the original tumor. People that have had this type of lung carcinoma and gone into remission, are likely to have this cancer return another time. This is true in those that have had small cell lung cancers. What causes lung cancer? Air pollution that comes from power plants, vehicles, and other types of industry can lead to this condition. Also, smoking is the biggest cause of all as it destroys healthy growing lung cells. Lung cancer known as bronchogenic carcinomas are in the form of two types. These are either called small cell or non-small cell carcinomas. Through laboratory testing, they can tell through the microscopic testing with the appearance of the cells themselves. Small cell lung carcinomas are in about 20-25% of cases. These are the most dangerous and related to smoking cigarettes. This cancer will spread quickly to other body sites. They are usually not found until having metastasized. They appear as oat cells under a microscope. Non small cell lung carcinomas are of the more found types, usually around 75-80%. This carcinoma type is separated into three groups, and named according to what type of cells that are located within a tumor. There are: Squamous cell carcinomas These are found within the central chest area in the bronchi. Adenocarcinomas which is the most common non-small cell carcinoma, is often found with smokers, as well as those who don't smoke. These tumors develop within the outer or peripheral areas of the lungs. Large cell carcinomas This type of carcinoma is the least common cancer which is a non-small cell carcinoma. Symptoms of lung cancer can vary. It all hinges on where and how aggressive the tumor is. There may not always be symptoms. A person may first discover they have a problem when they take a routine chest x-ray or a cat scan for some other medical reason. These lung cancers appear as a lesion on the x-ray. Symptoms As the cancer becomes more aggressive,there will problems likely with breathing. Wheezing may be present and a cough. Chest pain is a frequent symptom as well. Coughing up of blood is not uncommon as the cancer advances. If the lung condition has reached into the nerves, you may have shoulder pains that travel down the arm, and paralysis of the vocal cords. If the cancer is into the esophagus, trouble swallowing may also occur. Metastasis to the bones and brain is not unheard of with this type of carcinoma. This is in a very advanced stage at this point. Diagnosis Diagnosis is done in a number or ways with a number of certain medical tests. A chest x-ray is the first thing done to look at any areas in the lungs that do not appear normal. Sometimes the areas that appear on the x-ray may be a benign tumor, and not malignant. This will be ruled out with other tests. A CAT scan will be done testing not just the area of the chest, but other places for metastastic areas. These x-rays pick up multiple views of the body. They can also use a technique called low-dose helical CT scan. This is a type of ct scanner that is often used in picking up cancers in the chest area. MRI and PET scans give details about a tumor's location. The PET scan procedure is an imaging technique which will use a radioactive drug which is short-lived. These radioactive drugs produce three-dimensional colored images of those substances within the body. The PET scan can tell whether or not the tumor is growing and picks up on what type. The radioactive drug discharges pisitrons that are particles wherever they are used in the body sites. Gamma rays recorded through a scanner will tell the areas where the drug is located. This clearly shows whether or not there is a growing tumor. Bone scans might be done to see whether or not the cancer is within the bones. Sputum ctyology is done through taking a sample to find out if the cancer cells are present. Tumor cells may or may not be present in this test, and the other tests provide more definitive proof in the scans. Doctors might do a bronchoscopy which is an exam of airways. This is a thin fiberoptic tube which is put in through the nose or mouth. Tumors may be biopsied this way. Needle biopsies are also done which is using a fine needle through the skin. This uses radiological imaging, and picks up on cells for diagnosis from any tumors in the lungs. Sometimes surgery is needed if no test is affirmative, which is usually not the case. But sometimes this is needed. The chest area can be seen with a surgical instrument similiar to a laser, where the tumors, or lymph nodes can be seen. A thoracotomy is usually done to remove a tumor for biopsy purposes. Hospitalization is required. Treatment for lung cancers is usually radiation and/or chemo. The outlook depends upon how far the cancer is advanced.
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