Lung cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer in the United States. It develops when abnormal cells grow uncontrollably in either one or both lungs. These cells do not turn into healthy lung tissue, but rather form tumors and affect lung function. While there are many hazards that affect the lungs, lung cancer is most notably caused by smoking.
In addition to smoking, exposure to asbestos may also lead to the development of lung cancer later in life. Like those of pleural mesothelioma, symptoms of asbestos-induced lung cancer can take several decades to arise from the time of initial exposure, resulting in a late diagnosis for many patients. Asbestos exposure most often occurs after disturbing asbestos-containing materials and releasing microscopic asbestos fibers into the air. Once airborne, those nearby can inhale the toxic fibers.
Lung Cancer Symptoms, Treatment and Diagnosis
Symptoms of lung cancer may consist of a variety of conditions. Some of the more common symptoms of lung cancer include coughing, chest pain, shortness of breath, coughing up blood and wheezing. Additional symptoms that tend to be less common include fatigue, loss of appetite, bleeding, neck or facial swelling and blood clots. Other symptoms may also arise throughout a patient’s battle with lung cancer.
Treatment options for lung cancer will vary from patient to patient. The type and stage of lung cancer at the time of diagnosis will likely play a strong role in determining an effective treatment regimen. The three most common forms of treatment for lung cancer include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. All three of these options may be used individually or in conjunction with one another.
Diagnosing lung cancer may require the use of several initial tests, which often relay information to physicians in the form of X-rays. The first tests usually associated with diagnosing lung cancer include chest X-rays, computer tomography scans, positron emission tomography scans and magnetic resonance imaging scans. A bronchoscopy test or sputum cytology may also be used. Nevertheless, biopsies are considered the only definitive test for diagnosing lung cancer.
Sources
- http://www.lungcancer.org/reading/about.php
- http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/lung
- http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/lungcancer.html
Posted in: Lung Cancer
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