Lung cancer overview
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief: Kim-Son H. Nguyen, M.D., M.P.A., Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston MA, Cafer Zorkun, M.D., Ph.D. [2]
Overview
Lung cancer, or carcinoma of the lung, is a disease where epithelial (internal lining) tissue in the lung grows out of control. This leads to metastasis, invasion of adjacent tissue and infiltration beyond the lungs. Lung cancer, the most common cause of cancer-related death in men and the second most common in women,[1][2] is responsible for 1.3 million deaths worldwide annually.[3] The most common symptoms are shortness of breath, coughing (including coughing up blood), and weight loss.[4]
The main types of lung cancer are small cell lung carcinoma and non-small cell lung carcinoma. This distinction is important because the treatment varies; non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) is sometimes treated with surgery, while small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) usually responds better to chemotherapy.
The most common cause of lung cancer is exposure to tobacco smoke. The occurrence of lung cancer in non-smokers, who account for fewer than 10% of cases, appears to be due to a combination of genetic factors.[5][6] Radon gas, asbestos, and air pollution[7][8][9] may also contribute to lung cancer.
Lung cancer may be seen on chest x-ray and computed tomography (CT scan). The diagnosis is confirmed with a biopsy. This is usually performed via bronchoscopy or CT-guided biopsy.
Treatment and prognosis depend upon the histological type of cancer, the stage (degree of spread), and the patient's performance status. Possible treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. With treatment, the five-year survival rate is 14%.[4]
References
- ↑ WHO (2004). "Deaths by cause, sex and mortality stratum" (PDF). World Health Organization. Retrieved 2007-06-01.
- ↑ "Lung Cancer Facts (Women)". National Lung Cancer Partnership. 2006. Retrieved 2007-05-26.
- ↑ WHO (February 2006). "Cancer". World Health Organization. Retrieved 2007-06-25.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Minna, JD (2004). Harrison's Principle's of Internal Medicine. McGraw-Hill. pp. 506–516. doi:10.1036/0071402357. ISBN 0071391401.
- ↑ Gorlova, OY (Jul 2007). "Aggregation of cancer among relatives of never-smoking lung cancer patients". International Journal of Cancer. 121 (1): 111–118. PMID 17304511. Unknown parameter
|coauthors=ignored (help) - ↑ Hackshaw, AK (Oct 1997). "The accumulated evidence on lung cancer and environmental tobacco smoke". British Medical Journal. 315 (7114): 980–988. PMID 9365295. Retrieved 2007-08-10. Unknown parameter
|coauthors=ignored (help) - ↑ Kabir, Z (Feb 2007). "Lung cancer and urban air-pollution in dublin: a temporal association?". Irish Medical Journal. 100 (2): 367–369. PMID 17432813. Unknown parameter
|coauthors=ignored (help) - ↑ Coyle, YM (Sep 2006). "An ecological study of the association of metal air pollutants with lung cancer incidence in Texas". Journal of Thoracic Oncology. 1 (7): 654–661. PMID 17409932. Unknown parameter
|coauthors=ignored (help) - ↑ Chiu, HF (Dec 2006). "Outdoor air pollution and female lung cancer in Taiwan". Inhalation Toxicology. 18 (13): 1025–1031. PMID 16966302. Unknown parameter
|coauthors=ignored (help)