Friday, January 22, 2010

Understanding the malignancy of Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is the result of malignant cells, which in the tissues of the lung, usually in the cells, which the airways. The cells in our body constantly divide and multiply. In general, there is an orderly pattern to this reproduction as cells develop and specialize in order to be adapted to special needs. But sometimes a cell is damaged. It is a mutation in the DNA, and instead is aging and dying as normal, he will continue to proliferate uncontrollably. Essentially, this isCancer - uncontrolled reproduction and growth of abnormal cells in the body.

Most lung cancers are believed to start in the epithelial lining of the lungs, too - the lining of the large and small airways, that the tasks of extracting oxygen from the air. For this reason lung cancer is sometimes called bronchogenic carcinoma - cancer of the bronchi. A smaller percentage of lung cancers start in the chest - the thin tissue sac that surrounds the lungs. These cancersare called mesothelioma. The most common form of mesothelioma related to asbestos exposure.

Lung cancer is one of the deadliest cancers. Although it can develop a number of years, the cancer often goes undetected until late in the process. Moreover, it seems to metastasize (migrate to other parts of the body) early, which leaves fewer means to fight the mutated cells with surgery or radiation. When lung cancer does not metastasize, itquickly spreads to the most vulnerable and important organs of the body, particularly the adrenals, liver, brain and bones.

There are basically two types of lung cancer - small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Small cell lung cancer is less common, although far more deadly. It is directly linked to cigarette smoking - less than 1% of SCLC is diagnosed in non-smokers. It is moving very aggressively and quickly, rapidly metastasizingother organs, and often undetected until it is already widespread.

Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer, on the other side, far more combined share of almost 80% of all lung cancers diagnosed. There are three types of non-small cell lung cancer, usually by the size, characteristic shape, and the chemical composition of the cells that form of cancer:

Squamous Cell Carcinoma (also called epidermoid carcinoma "): This accounts for about 25% - 30% of all cases of lung cancer and isassociated with a history of smoking. This cancer is almost always found in the central chest area, near the bronchus.

Adenocarcinoma (also called Bronchioloalveolar carcinoma "): This approximately 40% of all cases of lung cancer and is found in the outer area of the lung. Treating this form of lung cancer often leads to a more successful outcome than the other lung.

Large-Cell Undifferentiated Carcinoma: accounting for only 10% - 15% of cases of lung cancer, theare able to show themselves in all areas of the lung. It tends to spread rapidly and often leads to a poor prognosis.

It is also possible for lung cancer to a combination of non-small cell lung cancer types.

There are other, less common types of lung cancer. For instance, bronchial carcinoids are small tumors often found in people under 40 years. They tend to grow slowly, and the treatment available. Carcinoid tumors account for approximately 5% of lung tumors. Some arenon-cancerous. The others tend to grow slowly and are successfully treated surgically.

Finally, some cancers are detected in the lungs, not cancer at all. Since the metastatic lung cancer from other sites are vulnerable, it is not uncommon to find tumors in other Primärkrebse their way into the lungs. When this happens, the tumors are often discovered in the peripheral tissues of the lung and not in the central tissue.

Please note that theInformation provided in this article for informational purposes only. It should not be in a medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment used for lung cancer. Such situations should always be the expertise of a physician or health care provider.

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