Lung Cancer
What Is Lung Cancer?
Lung cancer is a type of malignancy that develops within the lungs or bronchi. There are three lobes in the right lung, and two lobes in the left lung. The lining of the lung, called the pleura, serves to protect the lungs and allow them to move easily while a person breathes. The trachea, or the windpipe, carries air from the outside of the body into the lungs. This tube then divides into two branches called main bronchi. The bronchi divide and narrow into ever-smaller branches. Located at the end of the smallest bronchi are tiny air sacs called alveoli. Lung cancer can develop in the lining of the bronchi or in the lungs and can take many months to years to develop. There are two main types of lung cancer: non-small cell and small cell lung cancer. Non-small cell lung cancer occurs more frequently and accounts for 80% of all cases. Small cell lung cancer accounts for 20% of lung cancer cases and is faster growing than non-small cell lung cancer.
Lung cancer is the most frequent cause of cancer death and the second most common cancer among men and women in North America. In the past, more men than women were diagnosed with lung cancer, however, those numbers are getting closer to equal every year. Lung cancer death rates are slightly higher among black men as compared to white men, but are similar for black and white women. The greatest risk factor for lung cancer is tobacco smoking, with 90% of all lung cancer cases thought to be caused by smoking. Other risk factors include asbestos and radon exposure.
Treatment of Lung Cancer
Treatment for lung cancer depends on the type of tumor, the stage of the disease, and the patient's overall health status. Staging defines the extent of spread of the cancer from its original, or primary location, in the lung to other parts of the body. Often, lung cancer treatment involves a combination of the following types of treatment:
· Surgery – There are various procedures to remove or destroy cancerous tissue.
· Radiation therapy - X-rays or other types of radiation are used to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors.
· Chemotherapy - May be taken by mouth or through IV.
Learn more about lung cancer at the Comprehensive Cancer Center of Wake Forest University. As a national leader in cancer care & research and ranked among the best treatment facilities in the country, it is one of only 38 cancer centers in the nation designated by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) as a Comprehensive Cancer Center. NCI designation is an assurance of excellent care and comprehensive treatment options, including access to the latest clinical trials.
Lung Cancer
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