Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is an uncontrolled, extremely deadly division of cells in the lung. In most developed countries, it kills more men and woman than any other form of cancer. The   death rate is high because many lung cancers have spread through the body by the time symptoms appear. Widespread cancer is extremely difficult to cure.

Smoking causes most cases of lung cancer. The risk of developing lung cancer increases according to the length of time and the amount a person smokes. Exposure to second hand smoke also increases risk. Other causes include long-term exposure to a radioactive gas called radon or to airborne asbestos fibers.

Symptoms of lung cancer include persistent cough, weight loss, shortness of breath, coughing up blood, chest pain, or a hoarse voice. If lung cancer is suspected, doctors may begin their examination by examining patients “sputum” for cancer cells. Patients may also have chest x-ray to reveal suspicious masses or other signs of lung disease.

Doctors can sometimes cure patients whose cancer has not spread.  If cancer appears confined to the lung and the patient is otherwise healthy, surgeons usually remove lymph nodes and test them for cancer cells. Few patients whose cancer has spread can be cured. Treatment of these patients aims at extending life and reducing pain. Doctors will prescribe drug treatments.