Lung cancer has two major kinds and this is determined by the appearance of the cancer cells. Small cell lung cancers are termed as oat cell carcinoma. This sort of carcinoma of the lung is less frequent and often affects heavy cigarette smokers. Non-small cell lung carcinoma, however, refers to the various kinds of cancers in the lungs. Some examples are adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and large cell carcinoma. The signs of lung cancer in men may also vary depending on the sort of carcinoma of the lung that is identified.
Reasons for Lung Cancer
In almost 90% of carcinoma of the lung cases, cigarette smoking is considered as the primary cause. Both cigarette smokers and people exposed to smoke are at high risk to developing carcinoma of the lung. Smoking cigarettes can cause various changes in the lung cells and destroy it. Due to repeated and too much exposure to cigarette smoke, the damage it can cause to the cells within the lungs results to abnormal growth. The lungs include numerous lymph and blood vessels and from this point, the cancer cells may easily travel to parts of the human body.
As stated, cigarette smoking is the major factor on the growth of lung cancer. Nevertheless, female smokers are at higher risk in comparison with male smokers. Other risks include exposure to secondhand cigarette smoke, too much exposure to asbestos, radon and other hazardous chemical substances and a history of carcinoma of the lung in the family.
Symptoms of Lung Cancer
The seriousness of the signs or symptoms usually varies from one person to another. In some instances of this disorder, people affected by small cell lung cancer normally have unseen signs or symptoms until lung cancer diagnosis is conducted by using a CT scan or chest x-ray. The growth and intrusion of cancer cells within the tissues of the lungs can result in various signs or symptoms including the following:
Constant pain in the chest
Constant and persistent coughing
Coughing up blood
Repeated respiratory infections like bronchitis and pneumonia
Shortness of breath, wheezing and hoarseness
Weight loss and loss of appetite
Inflammation of the neck and face
Tiredness
Lung cancer may reach different parts of the body, including the bones, adrenal glands and brain. Metastasis signs or symptoms rely on where the cancer is situated. Nevertheless, metastatic carcinoma of the lung does not have signs or symptoms, particularly when it is within the adrenals or liver, and may only be confirmed through proper diagnosis. The cancer cells may reach the brain too, and this may result in other signs or symptoms like seizures, headaches, stroke signs or symptoms and fuzzy vision.
Medical Diagnosis and Treatment
Cancer of the lungs is often discovered based on physical examination and thru numerous diagnostic tests including x-ray, PET scan, MRI scan, biopsy, CT scan, bone scan, sputum cytology, thoracentesis, bronchoscopy, blood testing and fine needle aspiration. These diagnostic tests can also help determine the cancer stage. For non-small cell carcinoma of the lung, the stages range from Stage 1 to stage 5, on the other hand small cell lung carcinoma has minimal stages but they are extensive.
Managing this condition relies on the sufferer’s overall fitness condition and the cancer stage. There are numerous treatments available including chemotherapy, radiation therapy and targeted drug therapy. Surgical treatments are also available for such condition, such as wedge resection, pneumonectomy and lobectomy. Nevertheless, if you are diagnosed with a certain form of cancer, like squamous cell carcinoma of the lung, you may perform a research regarding this or simply go to this site.