UN
CANCER
November is National Lung Cancer
Awareness Month
November is National Lung Cancer Awareness month.
Lung Cancer is a disease that begins in the tissue of the
lungs. The lungs are sponge-like organs that are part of the
respiratory system. During breathing, air enters the mouth
or nasal passage and travels down the trachea. The trachea
splits into two sets of bronchial tubes that lead to the left
and right lung. The bronchi branch off into smaller and smaller
tubes that eventually end in small balloon-like sacs known
as alveoli. The alveoli are where oxygen, carbon dioxide,
and other substances are exchanged between the lungs and the
blood stream.
“The vast majority of Lung
Cancer cases fall into one of two different categories,”
says Dr. M. Maitland DeLand, FACRO,
FACR, President of Lafayette, Louisiana based OncoLogics,
Inc. "Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer and Small Cell Lung
Cancer."
“Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer is the most
common type of Lung Cancer, making up nearly 80% of all cases.
This type of Lung Cancer grows and spreads more slowly than
small cell lung cancer. Non-small cell lung cancer is divided
into three different subcategories. Squamous cell carcinoma
originates in the thin, flat cells that line the passages
of the respiratory tract. Adenocarcinoma begins in the cells
that form the lining of the lungs. Large cell carcinomas make
up a group of cancers that look large and abnormal under a
microscope.”
“Small Cell Lung Cancer makes up nearly
20% of all Lung Cancer cases. It is associated with cancer
cells smaller in size than most other cancer cells. These
cells may be small, but they can rapidly reproduce to form
large tumors. Their size and quick rate of reproduction allows
them to spread to the lymph nodes and to other organs of
the body. This type of Lung Cancer is almost always caused
by smoking or second hand smoke.”
“Symptoms of lung cancer vary
depending on the type, location, and size of the tumor. Many
people with lung cancer have no symptoms until the disease
has advanced into late stages,” say DeLand. “Some
lung cancer symptoms are similar to those of other common
illnesses. Advise your physician of your medical and social
history at each physical examination to assist in a prompt
and accurate diagnosis.
“When lung cancer does cause symptoms,
they can include coughing (most common), shortness of breath,
fatigue, wheezing, pain in the chest, shoulder, upper back,
or arm, coughing up blood, repeated pneumonia or bronchitis,
loss of appetite (anorexia) and weight loss, and more.”
“Some symptoms occur when the cancer spreads
to other parts of the body, metastasis,” says DeLand.
“Lung cancer can metastasize to the liver, the brain
or the bones. I would strongly suggest to anyone who is a
smoker or has a friend or loved one who smokes, to immediately
discontinue that activity. The Great American Smokeout is
held on the 15th of November."
Last Updated on 11/07/07
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