The majority of lung cancers derived from cells in the lungs, but lung cancer can also originate from cancer in other body parts that spread to the lungs. Lung cancer is the most common cancer in both men and women. Lung cancer is also the leading cause of cancer deaths.
Types of Lung Cancer
More than 90% of lung cancers originated from the bronchi (large airways into the lungs), cancer is called carcinoma bronkogenik, which consists of:
* Squamous cell carcinoma
* Small cell carcinoma or squamous cell wheat
* Large cell carcinoma
* Adenocarcinoma.
Alveolar cell carcinoma derived from air pockets (alveoli) in lungs. This cancer can be a single growth, but often strike more than one area in the lung.
Lung tumors are less common are:
* Adenoma (can be malignant or benign)
* Kondromatous hamartoma (benign)
* Sarcoma (malignant)
Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymph system, which can be derived from the lung or is spread from other organs. Many cancers that originate from other places to spread to the lungs. This cancer usually comes from the breast, colon, prostate, kidney, thyroid, stomach, cervix, rectum, testicles, bone and skin.
CAUSE
Smoking is a major cause of about 90% of cases of lung cancer in men and about 70% in women. The more cigarettes smoked, the greater the risk for lung cancer.
Only a small proportion of lung cancers (about 10% -15% in men and 5% in women) caused by or inhaled substances encountered in the workplace. Working with asbestos, radiation, arsenic, chromate, nickel, chloromethyl ethers, mustard gas and coke oven emissions can cause lung cancer, although usually only occurs in workers who also smoke.
The role of air pollution as a cause of lung cancer is still unclear. Some cases occur because of exposure by radon gas in the household. Sometimes lung cancer (particularly adenocarcinoma and alveolar cell carcinoma) occurred in people who already have lung scarring due to other lung diseases, like tuberculosis and fibrosis.
Smoking is a major cause of about 90% of cases of lung cancer in men and about 70% of cases in women. The more cigarettes smoked, the greater the risk for lung cancer.
Only a small proportion of lung cancers (about 10% -15% in men and 5% in women) caused by or inhaled substances encountered in the workplace. Working with asbestos, radiation, arsenic, chromate, nickel, chloromethyl ethers, mustard gas and coke oven emissions can cause lung cancer, although usually only occurs in workers who also smoke.
The role of air pollution as a cause of lung cancer is still unclear. Some cases occur because of exposure by radon gas in the household. Sometimes lung cancer (particularly adenocarcinoma and alveolar cell carcinoma) occurred in people who already have lung scarring caused by other lung diseases, like tuberculosis and fibrosis.
SYMPTOMS
Symptoms of lung cancer depends on the type, location, and how its spread. Usually the main symptom is a persistent cough. Chronic bronchitis patients who suffer from lung cancer is often noticed that the cough is getting worse. Sputum may contain blood. If the cancer grows into the underlying blood vessels can cause severe bleeding.
Cancer can cause wheezing sound due to the narrowing of the airways in or around the growth of cancer. Bronchial obstruction can cause the collapse of the lungs which is a ramification of the bronchi, the condition is called atelectasis. Another result is pneumonia with symptoms such as cough, fever, chest pain, and shortness of breath.
If the tumor grows into the chest wall can cause persistent chest pain. Symptoms that arise then are loss of appetite, weight loss, and weakness. Lung cancer often leads to accumulation of fluid around the lungs (pleural effusion), so that patients experience shortness of breath. If the cancer spreads in the lungs, shortness of breath can happen is superb, low blood oxygen levels and heart failure.
Cancer can grow into certain nerves in the neck, causing Horner's syndrome, which consists of:
- The closure of the eyelids
- Small pupil
- Sunken eyes
- Reduced perspiration on one side of the face.
Cancer at the top of the lungs can grow into the nerves to the arm so the arm pain, numbness and weakness. Damage can also occur in the nerve cords so that people with a hoarse voice.
Cancer can grow directly into the esophagus, or growing near the throat and squeezed, causing swallowing disorders. Sometimes abnormal channel is formed (fistula) between the esophagus and the bronchi, causing severe coughing during swallowing process takes place, because food and liquids into the lungs.
Lung cancer may grow into the heart and causes:
- Abnormal heart rhythm
- Enlarged heart
- Accumulation of fluid in the pericardial sack.
Cancer can also grow around the superior vena cava. This causes blockage of venous blood flow back to the top, ie into other veins of the upper body:
- Veins in the chest wall will be enlarged
- Face, neck and upper chest wall (including breasts) will swell up and appear purple.
This situation also causes shortness of breath, headache, visual disturbances, dizziness and drowsiness easy. Symptoms usually get worse if the patient bend forward or lie down.
Lung cancer can also spread through the bloodstream to the liver, brain, adrenal glands and bone. This can happen at an early stage, especially in small cell carcinoma. Symptoms of liver failure, confusion, convulsions and bone pain; that could arise before the occurrence of various disorders of the lungs, making early diagnosis difficult to enforce.
Some lung cancer cause effects at a distance from the lungs, such as metabolic disorders, nerve disorders and muscle disorders (paraneoplastic syndrome). This syndrome is not related to the size and location of the cancer and do not necessarily indicate that the cancer has spread beyond the chest; syndrome is caused by the material released by cancer.
Symptoms can be an early sign of cancer or an early indication that the cancer had returned, after such treatment. One example of paraneoplastic syndrome is the Eaton-Lambert syndrome, characterized by muscle weakness incredible. Another example is muscle weakness and pain due to inflammation (polymyositis), which may be accompanied by inflammation of the skin (dermatomyositis).
Some lung cancer or hormone releasing hormone-like material, resulting in high levels of hormones. Small cell carcinoma producing corticotropin (causing Cushing's syndrome) or antidiuretic hormone (causing fluid retention and low sodium levels in the blood). Formation of excessive hormone can also cause carcinoid syndrome, namely in the form of redness, wheezing breath sounds, diarrhea and heart valve abnormalities. Squamous cell carcinoma releasing hormone-like material that causes very high blood calcium levels.
Other hormonal syndromes associated with lung cancer are:
- Breast enlargement in men (gynecomastia)
- Excess thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism)
- Changes in the skin (the skin in the armpit become darker).
Lung cancer can also cause changes in the form of fingers and toes and change at the end of long bones, which can be seen on x-rays.
Diagnosis
If someone (especially smokers) experienced a persistent cough that worsens or symptoms or other lung, then there is the possibility of lung cancer. Sometimes the first hint of the discovery of a shadow on a chest x-ray of someone who showed no symptoms. Chest X-rays can find most of lung tumors, although not all the shadows that look is a cancer.
Usually performed microscopic examination of tissue samples, which are sometimes derived from the patient sputum (sputum cytology). To obtain the necessary network, performed bronchoscopy. CT scans may show little shadow that does not appear on chest x-rays and may reveal enlarged lymph nodes. To find the spread to the liver, adrenal glands, or brain, a CT scan of the abdomen and brain.
Spread to the bone can be seen through bone scanning. Sometimes the bone marrow biopsy performed because of small cell carcinoma tends to spread to the bone marrow
Classification (stage) of cancer based on:
- The size of the tumor,
- Spread to nearby lymph nodes,
- Spread to other organs.
This stage is used to determine the type of treatment will be performed and the prediction of disease in patients.
TREATMENT
Bronchial benign tumors are usually removed surgically because it could clog the bronchi and long may become malignant. Sometimes performed surgery on cancer other than small cell carcinoma that has not spread. Approximately 10-35% of cancers can be removed surgically, but surgery does not always bring healing.
Approximately 25-40% of patients with isolated tumor grows slowly and has a life expectancy up to five years after his illness was diagnosed. Patients should perform routine checks for lung cancer recurrence in 6-12% of patients who had undergone surgery.
Before surgery, performed lung function tests to determine whether the remaining lung can still perform its functions properly or not. If the result is ugly, it is not possible to do surgery.
Surgery is not necessary if:
- The cancer has spread beyond the lung
- The cancer is too close to the trachea
- The patient has a serious condition (eg heart disease or lung disease are heavy).
Radiation therapy performed in patients who can not undergo surgery because they have other serious illnesses. The purpose of irradiation is a slow cancer growth, not for healing. Radiation therapy can also reduce muscle pain, superior vena cava syndrome and suppression of the spinal cord. But radiation therapy can cause lung inflammation (pneumonitis due to radiation), with symptoms such as cough, shortness of breath and fever. These symptoms can be reduced by corticosteroids (eg prednisone).
At the time diagnosed, almost always small cell carcinoma has spread to other body parts, so it is not possible to do surgery. These cancers are treated with chemotherapy, radiation therapy is sometimes disetai. Patients with lung cancer who experienced a lot of lung function decline. To reduce respiratory disorders may be given oxygen therapy and drugs that dilate the airways (bronchodilators).
PREVENTION
There is no sure way to prevent lung cancer, but you can reduce the risk if you:
1. Do not smoke. If you have never smoked, do not start. Talk with your children not to smoke so they could understand how to avoid major risk factors of lung cancer. Many smokers start smoking in their teens. Start a conversation about the dangers of smoking with your children early so they know how to react to peer pressure.
2. Stop smoking. Stop smoking now. Quitting smoking reduces the risk of lung cancer, even if you have smoked for many years. Consultation with your doctor about smoking cessation strategies and support that can help you quit. Options include nicotine replacement products, medication and support groups.
3. Avoid cigarette smoke. If you live or work with a smoker, encourage him to stop. At the very least, ask him to smoke outside. Avoid areas where people smoke, such as bars and restaurants, and choose smoke-free area.
4. Your home radon test. Check the levels of radon in your home, especially if you live in an area where radon is known to be a problem. High radon levels can be improved to make your home more secure. For information on radon testing, call the health department.
5. Avoid carcinogens in the workplace. Precautions to protect themselves from exposure to toxic chemicals in the workplace. Your company should notify you if you are exposed to hazardous chemicals at your workplace. Follow these precautions your boss. For example, if you were given masks for protection, always wear it. Ask your doctor what else can you do to protect yourself in the workplace. The risk of lung damage from carcinogens is increased if you smoke.
6. Eating foods containing fruits and vegetables. Choose a healthy diet with a variety of fruits and vegetables. Food sources of vitamins and nutrients the best. Avoid taking large doses of vitamins in pill form, as they may be dangerous. For example, the researchers hope to reduce the risk of lung cancer in heavy smokers gave them beta carotene supplements. The results show supplements actually increase the risk of cancer in smokers.
7. Drink alcohol in moderation, if at all do not. Limit yourself to one drink a day if you're a woman or two drinks a day if you're a man. Any person age 65 or older should drink no more than one drink a day.
8. Sports. Capaiminimal oalh exercise 30 minutes on each day of the week. Check with your doctor first if you have not exercised regularly. Start out slowly and continue to add more activity. Cycling, swimming and walking are good choices. Add exercise throughout your day - time to go work through the park and walk along the road or take the stairs instead of elevators.
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