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In 2006 there will be about 174,470 new cases of lung cancer (both small cell and non-small cell) in the United States. About 162,460 people will die of this disease.
Risk Factors for Lung Cancer- Smoking greatly increases your chances of developing lung cancer.
- Other risk factors include exposure to substances like secondhand smoke, arsenic, some organic chemicals, radon, asbestos, air pollution and tuberculosis.
Quitting Smoking
If you quit smoking, the health benefits begin immediately. For patients with lung cancer, quitting smoking makes treatment more effective.
Quitting smoking also reduces the risks of infections, such as pneumonia, improves breathing, and reduces the risks associated with surgery. To learn how to quit, talk to your doctor or visit www.smokefree.gov.
Symptoms of Lung Cancer
Some signs and symptoms of lung cancer include:- Persistent cough, coughing blood or shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Recurring pneumonia or bronchitis
- Swelling of the neck and face
- Unexplained weight loss, loss of appetite or fatigue
Diagnosing Lung Cancer
A chest X-ray will often reveal a tumor and where it is located. Other tests, such as CT scans, bone scans and PET scans, can provide more detailed information about the tumor and assess other parts of the body for potential spread of the tumor.
To be certain if you have lung cancer, tissue from your lung will be removed and analyzed. This is called a biopsy.
A bronchoscopy is a test where a flexible tube with a light is inserted into your nose or mouth to look at the airways of the lungs.
A biopsy may be done during a bronchoscopy or with a needle inserted through the skin directly into the tumor under CT guidance.
Types of Lung Cancer
Non-small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer are the two main types of lung cancer.- Non-small cell lung cancer is the most common type of lung cancer. (It often grows and spreads less rapidly than small cell lung cancer.) There are three types of non-small cell lung cancer — squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma and large cell carcinoma.
- Small cell lung cancer is less common than non-small cell lung cancer. It grows more rapidly and is more likely to spread to other organs in the body. Lung cancer usually begins in one lung. If left untreated, it can spread to lymph nodes or other parts of the chest, including the other lung. Lung cancer can also metastasize (or spread) throughout the body to the bones, brain, liver or other organs.
Treatment for Lung Cancer
Lung cancer treatment depends on several factors, including the type and size of the cancer, its location, and your overall health. Typically, multiple different treatments and combinations of treatments will be used to combat lung cancer. During treatment, a team of doctors may be involved in your care, including a surgeon, radiation oncologist and a medical oncologist.- Non-small cell lung cancer may be treated first with surgery. Your doctor may also suggest radiation therapy or chemotherapy either alone or in combination.
- Small cell lung cancer is often treated with chemotherapy and radiation therapy either at the same time or one right after the other.
*Statistics provided by the American Cancer Society. Revised 2006.
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