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Prognosis of a Bronchoalveolar Carcinoma

Bronchoalveolar carcinoma (BAC) is a rare form of lung cancer. While there are treatments available for people with the disease, the prognosis is generally not a strong one.

  1. Identification

    • BAC is a type of cancer that strikes the alveolar airways in the lungs and always appears in a malignant form.

    Significance

    • BAC begins in the lungs but does not metastasize to other parts of the body. The tumors grow on the outside of the lungs in the cells that create mucus. It then will spread to other parts of the lungs, including the alveolar airways.

    Survival Rate

    • According to the American Cancer Society, people with BAC have a 56% chance of survival after 5 years with Stage 1 BAC and 2% with Stage IV, making it one of the more lethal cancers.

    Incidence

    • Between 2% and 14% of all of lung cancer cases are thought to be of the BAC variety.

    Prevention/Solution

    • Surgery is only recommended for early stages of BAC. In more advanced cases, the cancer may be too widespread to operate. Unfortunately, BAC is not usually diagnosed until later stages, making most treatment ineffective.

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