Lung Cancer Signs

Lung cancer is a particularly devastating form of cancer with a relatively low 5-year survival rate. More people die from lung cancer than any other form of the disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Smoking is the primary cause of lung cancer, but working in certain industries can also increase lung cancer risk.

Identification

• Lung cancer occurs when abnormal cells begin to grow in one or both lungs. The abnormal cells reproduce faster than normal lung tissue cells and form lumps, or tumors. The tumors make it difficult for the lungs to function normally.

Features

• Coughing is one of the more common signs of lung cancer. The cough may be a new cough that just won't go away or an existing cough that has started to get worse. You may cough up blood or experience chest pain. Due to the compromised state of the lungs, bronchitis or other respiratory infections can develop and wheezing or shortness of breath may occur. If you have lung cancer, you may feel tired all the time because your lungs are not working as they should.
  Some people have no symptoms and the cancer is discovered while they are evaluated for another medical condition. A sudden weight loss may be the only symptom; rapid weight loss is always a concern if you are not trying to lose weight.

Types

• Small cell lung cancer (SLSC) is a fast-growing type of cancer that can rapidly spread to other parts of the body. Also called "oat cell cancer," SLSC is found in approximately 13 percent of lung cancer patients.
  Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the more common form of the disease, accounting for over 80 percent of all cases. This form spreads more slowly and includes three subtypes: adenocarcinoma, large cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Adenocarcinoma is found in the outer part of the lung and is responsible for about 40 percent of lung cancer cases. Large cell carcinoma can start anywhere in the lung and spreads more rapidly, accounting for 10 to 15 percent of all cases. Squamous cell carcinoma is usually related to smoking and can be found in the middle of the lungs. Approximately 25 to 30 percent of lung cancer cases are of this type.

Considerations

• Smoking is the primary cause of lung cancer, with 80 percent of female and 90 percent of male lung cancer patients reporting that they are or were cigarette smokers. Breathing secondhand smoke consistently increases your chance of developing lung cancer by 20 to 30 percent.
  Radon exposure is the second leading cause of lung cancer. Radon is an odorless gas produced by decaying uranium in the soil. High levels of radon may be found in basements and lower levels of buildings. If your basement is found to have radon, a venting system can be installed to lower the levels to safe limits.
  If your job involves working with uranium, nonferrous metal dust, silica or asbestos, your chance of developing lung cancer is increased. Exposure to coke, a type of fuel used in foundries and blast furnaces, can also increase your risk.
  Some people develop lung cancer even though they have never smoked, never been around secondhand smoke on a regular basis and never worked with cancer-causing agents. Non-smoking women seem to be slightly more at risk of developing lung cancer than non-smoking men, and doctors think that this difference may be due to the role of hormones.

Effects

• The 5-year survival rate for lung cancer is 49 percent if the cancer is still limited to the lungs when it is detected. The problem is that most cases of lung cancer are not discovered at this early stage. If the cancer has already spread, the 5-year survival rate is 3 percent.
  Radiation, surgery and drug therapy is most helpful to patients who are diagnosed in the early stages of the disease. Avoiding smoking and hazardous jobs are the easiest ways to reduce your chances of developing lung cancer. Research is ongoing to find new treatment protocols to increase the survival rate for this very deadly type of cancer.