Exploring Lung Cancer

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Exploring Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is the leading cancer killer in both men and women. An

estimated 169,400 new cases of lung cancer and an estimated 154,900

deaths from lung cancer will occur in the United States during 2002.

There are two major types of lung cancer: non-small cell lung cancer

and small cell lung cancer. Non-small cell lung cancer is much more

common. It usually spreads to different parts of the body more slowly

than small cell lung cancer. Squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma,

and large cell carcinoma are three types of non-small cell lung

cancer. Small cell lung cancer also called oat cell cancer, accounts

for about 20% of all lung cancer.

WHAT CAUSES LUNG CANCER?

Smoking is the number one cause of lung cancer. Lung cancer may also

be the most tragic cancer because in most cases, it might have been

prevented -- 87% of lung cancer cases are caused by smoking. Cigarette

smoke contains more than 4,000 different chemicals, many of which are

proven cancer-causing substances, or carcinogens. Smoking cigars or

pipes also increases the risk of lung cancer.

The more time and quantity you smoke, the greater your risk of lung

cancer. But if you stop smoking, the risk of lung cancer decreases

each year as normal cells replace abnormal cells. After ten years, the

risk drops to a level that is one-third to one-half of the risk for

people who continue to smoke. In addition, quitting smoking greatly

reduces the risk of developing other smoking-related diseases, such as

heart disease, stroke, emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

Many of the chemicals in tobacco smoke also affect the nonsmoker

inhaling the smoke, ma...

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...cation.

RADIATION THERAPY is a form of high energy X-ray that kills cancer

cells. It is used:

• In combination with chemotherapy and sometimes with surgery.

• To offer relief from pain or blockage of the airways.

CHEMOTHERAPYis the use of drugs that are effective against cancer

cells. Chemotherapy may be injected directly into a vein or given

through a catheter, which is a thin tube that is placed into a large

vein and kept there until it is no longer needed. Some chemotherapy

drugs are taken by pill. Chemotherapy may be used:

• In conjunction with surgery.

• In more advanced stages of the disease to relieve symptoms.

• In all stages of small cell cancer.

Some patients may also be eligible to participate in clinical trials

or research studies that look at new ways to treat lung cancer.

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