Characteristics of Lung Cancer

A lung cancer diagnosis can definitely knock the wind out of someone. It is the deadliest form of cancer, yet awareness and funding for lung cancer research are much lower than for more common cancer types, such as breast and prostate cancer.

Prevelance

• Annually, over 7 million people are diagnosed with lung cancer worldwide. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an estimated 160,000 people in the United States die each year from lung cancer. Furthermore, lung cancer accounts for more deaths than breast, prostate and colon cancers combined.

Risk Factors

• Smoking is the number one risk factor for lung cancer, even in those who have quit. Exposure to environmental hazards, such as radon, asbestos or air pollution; other lung conditions, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or emphysema; or a family history or genetic factor may make you more susceptible to lung cancer.

Symptoms

• The following are symptoms of lung cancer: persistent cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, wheezing, chest pain, coughing up blood, recurring pneumonia or bronchitis, appetite and weight loss, hoarse voice and facial and neck swelling.

Types

• There are two main types of lung cancer: small cell carcinoma and non-small cell carcinoma. Small cell carcinoma is less common and typically grows rapidly. Non-small cell carcinoma is classified into four different stages based on the malignancy of the tumor.

Survival Rates

• The survival rate for lung cancer is greatly reduced the later the stage at diagnosis. Eighty-eight percent of patients diagnosed with stage I lung cancer will survive at least 10 years. However, only 16 percent of lung cancer is diagnosed at its earliest and most curable stage.