Lung Cancer - Stages
Lung Cancer is a type cancer that forms in the tissues of the lung, usually in the cells which are lining the air passages. Lung cancer is usually a very aggressive type of cancer and if not diagnosed early enough, can have a very poor prognosis.
Most lung cancers start in the lining of the bronchi. However in addition to this, lung cancer can also form in the glands below the lining of the bronchi, frequently in the periphery of the lungs.
Lung cancer disease is categorised according to four stages, with Stage 1 being the mildest (and least life threatening) form of the disease, and Stage 4 being the most severe (and most life threatening) form of the disease. It should be remembered though that all stages of lung cancer are serious.
The 4 stages are as follows:
Stage I: the lung cancer is confined to the lung tissue alone (This stage has the highest hope of recovery)
Stage II: the lung cancer is confined to the lung tissue and lymph nodes in lung,
Stage III: the lung cancer is confined to the lung tissue and lymph nodes inside and outside of the lung
Stage IV: the lung cancer has spread to the liver, adrenal glands, bone, brain, and/or other sites.
The stage of development and the type of lung cancer, such as Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) and Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC), determine the treatment options, as does the patient's general health.
The likely treatments and approximate cure rates for each stage of lung cancer are as follows:
Stage I Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)
Main Treatment: Surgery
Cure Rate: 67%
Stage II Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)
Main Treatment: Surgery
Cure Rate: 40-50%
Stage III Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)
Main Treatment: Chemotherapy + Radiation
Cure Rate: Less than 60%
Stage IV Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)
Main Treatment: Chemotherapy + Radiation
Cure Rate: Less than 80%
Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC)
Main Treatment: Chemotherapy + Radiation
Cure Rate: Varies
Researchers around the world continue to study the causes of lung and other cancers and to search for ways to prevent or cure them. Clearly, however, there is still a long way to go and further research is required as there is a very poor prognosis attached to a diagnosis of lung cancer.
Lung Cancer - Overview
Lung Cancer is a type of cancer that forms in tissues of the lung, usually in the cells lining air passages. Many lung cancers begin in the bronchi though others can start in other parts of the lungs. Lung cancer also has a tendency to form in the glands below the bronchi.
Lung Cancer - Probabilities
Lung cancer causes up to 30% of all cancer related deaths, and it is the 2nd leading cause of death among both men and women in western society. 85% of all lung cancers are caused by a person's smoking habit or just by breathing in the second-hand smoke of others.
Lung Cancer - Screening
At this moment in time, there is no particularly useful single test that can be considered 100% reliable for the early detection of lung cancer. Unfortunately unless someone is undergoing a health screen for something completely unrelated, lung cancer is very often only discovered in the later stages of the disease when it is often too late to do anything but offer palliative treatment.
Lung Cancer - Symptoms
The most common indicators and symptoms of lung cancer include the following: Fatigue Shortness of breath and wheezing (dyspnoea) A cough that doesn't go away and gets worse over time Repeated problems with pneumonia or bronchitis Constant chest pain Coughing up blood (bloody sputum) (haemoptysis) Swelling of the neck and face Fever Loss of appetite and Weight loss (anorexia) Hoarse voice
Lung Cancer Treatment Options - Radiation
In many cases of lung cancer, surgery is not an option. This may be because of the advanced stage of the cancer, the location of the tumor or tumors, or because of the overall general health of the patient. In those cases, the oncologist may suggest radiation therapy to treat lung cancer. Even if surgery is an option, the doctor may suggest irradiation either before therapy to shrink the tumor or after surgery to destroy any remaining cancer cells.
Lung Cancer - Trends by Ethnicity, Sex and Race
In the USA and many other western countries, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death. Lung cancer has been found to be the leading cancer killer among Caucasians, African-Americans, Asians and Hispanic males.