Archive for January, 2010

The Diagnosis of Lung Cancer

Many patients find that they have lung cancer either because they present symptoms such as persistent coughing and wheezing, sometimes coughing up blood or pain the chest and stomach. This usually prompts further investigation of the chest, typically calling for an x-ray (which may also occur as part of a routine health check) and the testing of sputum samples.

At this point more investigations will be called for dependent upon the results.

Detailed Diagnosis

The purpose of a chest radiograph or x-ray, is to detect enlarged lymph nodes in the chest or the existence of a mass in the lungs. More advanced techniques can be used to provide much more detailed information and include the following:

CAT Scan or CT Scan – a CT Scan is a computer assisted examination which provides a cross-sectional image of the body under examination;

MRI Scan – a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan uses hydrogen ions within the patient’s body which respond to magnetic fields when they are applied to the body or in this case, the chest. A computer then uses the results to create a chest image which allows for precise location of any mass which has been detected and whether it involves the lungs;

Bronchoscopy – this involves an examination of the airways (the windpipe and lung branches) and is usually conducted by a pulmonologist ( a physician who specializes in respiratory diseases). The examination may involve the taking of a swab from these areas or a biopsy (the removal of a tissue sample);

Needle Biopsy – a physician inserts a needle using the results of a CT Scan to guide where the needle, so a sample of tissue may be removed from the mass which has been detected; the tissue samples obtained are then “smeared” on a microscope slide and examined by a histopathologist to detect whether the cells are cancerous; and

Bone Scan – this test may be undertaken to check whether any cancer cells have spread (known as “metastasized”) to the bones from the original tumor.

A technological advancement is the CT/PET fusion imaging scan – this diagnostic tool uses an injected sugar solution which contains a radioactive element to highlight any cancerous mass. Cancer tumors are very fast growing and use a lot of energy so they rapidly absorb the sugar solution which is accumulates around and within the tumor. When a scan is then performed, the concentration of the radioactive sugar is detected and provides the location and detail of the cancer tumor. It should be borne in mind that there are other tissues which will cause the sugar solution to accumulate such as a bacterial infection, so even this test is not conclusive.

Once lung cancer has been diagnosed, the team of oncology physicians treating the patient will review the results to assess the treatment options for the lung cancer and to check whether any spread of the disease has occurred to other parts of the body. Where it is found the disease has not spread to other parts of the body, then a surgical inspection may take place to assess the disease in detail around the lungs, heart, windpipe and tissues of the chest. In addition, extensive blood tests will take place to look for cancer “markers” which are usually proteins that are associated with the development of lung cancer.


Find the rightlung cancer surgeon or mitral valve repair specialist. Early diagnosis can lead to successful results.Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/cancer-articles/the-diagnosis-of-lung-cancer-1701565.html

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Green Tea may help keep lung cancer at bay, new study suggests!

A recent medical study undertaken in Taiwan has found out that drinking a cup of green tea each day dramatically cuts the risk of developing lung cancer.  This finding further bolsters the health credentials of this popular beverage, which is said to be effective in fighting a host of ailments ranging from heart disease to immune deficiency, to diabetes, liver disease, and yes, cancer.

A team headed by Dr. I-Hsin Lin, of Chung Shan Medical University in Taiwan studied the lifestyle habits of 170 people with lung cancer and 340 healthy patients.  The participants were asked questions such as how much they smoked, how much green tea they drank, how much fruits and vegetables they eat, how they cook their food, and whether they have a family history of lung cancer.

Furthermore, the participants underwent genotyping on insulin-like growth factors: IGF1, IGF2, and IGFBP3, all of which have been thought to be related to risk for cancer.

The results of the medical study showed that both smokers and non-smokers who did not take green tea were 5 times more likely to develop lung cancer than those who drank at least one cup of green tea per day.  Smokers who did not drink green tea at all were more than 12 times more likely to develop lung cancer than those who took at least one cup of the beverage per day.

In addition, it also showed that the protection from green tea appeared to be highest for those who carry certain genes.  Smoking and non-smoking green tea drinkers carrying the non-susceptible IGF1 (CA)19/(CA)19 and (CA)19/X genotypes were found to be 66% less likely to develop lung cancer compared with those who also drank green tea but were carrying the IGF1 X/X genotype.

The team thus concludes that the antioxidants and polyphenol content in green tea and specific human genetic variations were together responsible for the probabilities of lung cancer risk in individuals.

The cancer-fighting properties of green tea have long been attributed to its rich content of polyphenols, notably a catechin called epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), which functions as a potent antioxidant.  The EGCC catechin has been credited with its ability to restrict and prevent the growth of cancer cells.

Still, the Taiwanese team stressed the fact that lung cancer cannot be staved off solely by drinking large amounts of green tea.  They reiterated that the best way to prevent lung cancer is still a conscious effort to eat healthy and to stay away from smoking.


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Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/cancer-articles/green-tea-may-help-keep-lung-cancer-at-bay-new-study-suggests-1746382.html

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Green Tea- A New Chance to Reduce Lung Cancer from Smoking

A new study says that drinking green tea could reduce the risk of lung cancer from smoking cigarettes.

“Lung cancer is the leading cause of all cancer deaths in Taiwan,” said I-Hsin Lin, a student at Chung Shan Medical University, Taiwan, who conducted the study.
“Green tea, is considered to be a very good drinking for those that are smoking especially. This Kind of tea has received a great deal of attention because tea polyphenols are strong antioxidants, and tea preparations have shown inhibitory activity against tumor genesis (production of new tumor),” added Lin.

Lin and colleagues have tested 170 patients with lung cancer and 340 healthy patients as controls.

They administered questionnaires to obtain demographic characteristics, cigarette smoking habits, green tea consumption, dietary intake of fruits and vegetables, cooking practices and family history of lung cancer.
Among smokers and non-smokers, those who did not drink green tea had a 5.16-fold increased risk of lung cancer compared with those who drank at least one cup of green tea per day.

So we can already see some differences in drinking and not drinking green tea. This tea is great for all the inside organs, not only for the lungs.

Among smokers, those who did not drink green tea at all had a 12.71-fold increased risk of lung cancer compared with those who drank at least one cup of green tea per day.
These are important numbers that shows us what a big effect green tea has on us.

“Our study may represent a clue that in the case of lung cancer, smoking-induced carcinogenesis could be modulated by green tea consumption and the growth factor environment,” said Lin.

The study was presented at the AACR-IASLC Joint Conference on Molecular Origins of Lung Cancer, being held Jan 11-14.


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Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/cancer-articles/green-tea-a-new-chance-to-reduce-lung-cancer-from-smoking-1742768.html

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Classification of Lung Cancer

Most lung cancers are termed “carcinomas”, which are tumors caused by uncontrolled reproduction of epithelial cells; these are the cells which form the linings and surfaces of most of the bodies organs and internal structures. There are two main types of carcinoma which are classified according to the size and presentation of the cancerous cells.

After a biopsy has been taken (which removes part of the tissue suspected to be cancerous), a laboratory specialist, known as a “histopathologist”, places the biopsy sample under a microscope and is able to determine whether cancer is present and whether it is non-small cell or small cell cancer. The former accounts for the bulk of lung cancers (80%) but whatever classification is accorded, it is important because different treatment regimes are more effective at treating the different types (note that there are other classifications but these two are the major ones).

Non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC) are themselves further classified into three different types though the treatment therapies are very similar for all of them:

Squamous cell lung carcinoma;

Adenocarcinoma; and

Large cell lung carcinoma.

Squamous cell lung cancer occurs in around a quarter of all lung cancer patients and is usually located near the central bronchus, this is the main airway leading into the lungs themselves. Fortunately, these types of cancer are less aggressive and grow slowly.

Adenocarcinoma occurs in approximately 40% of patients and starts in the outer lung tissue and is most closely associated with smoking, though many non-smokers also present this form of the disease. Whether a patient is male or female and whether they have smoked or not will determine different treatment paths for them under this category.

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is much less common and usually presents itself in the larger airways (the “bronchi”), but while less common they are unfortunately, much more aggressive. While this form lends itself to treatment by chemotherapy or radiation treatment, however, in many patients by the time it has been diagnosed the cancer has frequently spread (or “metastasized”) to other parts of the body. The prognosis for SCLC is usually quite poor and is the type of lung cancer which is most commonly associated with smoking.

No matter what type of lung cancer a patient presents, it is vital that it is diagnosed as soon as is possible in order to maximize the chances of a positive outcome. Diagnosis and classification of the type of cancer is the first stage in the process of delivering effective treatment for patients, and as quickly as lung cancer has been diagnosed, it must then be “staged”. Staging is the process by which the degree of spread and size of a cancer has gotten to; there are four stages, I through IV, with stage I being the best assessment and IV the worst. Staging is important because it directly impacts upon the treatment regime which must be delivered as well as classification of the cancer type. Being educated about your condition is key to choosing the right treatment.

Find the right doctor for lung cancer treatments or mitral valve disease. Early diagnosis can lead to successful results.Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/cancer-articles/classification-of-lung-cancer-1701524.html

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Basic Information on Lung Cancer Surgery

Early stage lung cancer (Stage I & II) is usually treated by surgical intervention and a combination of chemotherapy and radiation treatment. Stage II cancer may treated by surgery in certain instances, though generally later stage cancer is treated by chemotherapy alone or by combination of chemotherapy and radiation treatment – it is possible for tumors to be shrunk in size so a re-staging of the patient is warranted and surgery becomes a viable option.

The process of removing the cancer tumor is known as “resection”, or the cutting away of the cancer mass and suspected diseased tissue. There are a variety of surgical options available but the standard techniques are:

Thoracotomy – an incision is made through the chest wall; and

Median Sternotomy -where the surgeon cuts through the breastbone to access the chest cavity and the lungs.

As both of these techniques involve considerable recovery periods and pain for the patient, alternatives have been devised to provide access to lung cancer tumors and allow for less discomfort for the patient;

Anterior Limited Thoracotomy – known as “ALT” is performed on the front of the chest and involves a much smaller incision than thoracotomy or median sternotomy;

Anterioraxilary Thoracotomy – known as “AAT” involves an incision on the front of the chest close to the underarm; and

Posterolateral Thoracotomy – known as”PLT” involves an incision through the back or side of the chest area of the patient.

ALT in particular provides a less invasive option than a standard thoracotomy, and certainly results in reduced blood loss for the patient with a much reduced recuperation period and pain.

Video-Assisted Thoracoscopy or Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery (VATS)

VATS is a state-of-the-art surgical technique which allows for resection of tumors without the need for invasive, full-surgery. A video camera allows the surgeon to see the interior of the patient’s chest and the location of cancer tumors using a high-powered television screen. This provides a skilled surgeon with the ability to operate without actually opening up the patient and involves a much smaller set of incisions.

As the incisions and surgical-invasion is significantly reduced, the patient experiences far less pain and enjoys a much reduced recuperation period post-operation. The technique is not universally employed for two main reasons – firstly, the level of surgical skill required is very high and only highly skilled surgeons can utilize the technique successfully. In addition, as the surgeon is not provided with a full view of the area where the diseased tissue is located, it is possible to miss other cancer tumors or evidence of diseased tissue which a standard operation may uncover.

VATS is usually most appropriate for early stage lung cancer where there is no evidence that the disease has metastasized to other parts of the body or lungs themselves.

The Use of Other Therapies

Depending on the nature of the disease and the overall health of the patient, it is common for patients to undergo treatment pre and post-operation with chemotherapy and radiation treatment. In certain instances, where surgery is not advisable, a patient may undergo such alternative therapies in combination or as stand-alone treatments, but the exact treatment regime which is advised for a patient depends on individual circumstances and the findings of the oncology team providing treatment.


Find the right doctor for lung cancer treatments or mitral valve surgery. Early diagnosis can lead to successful results.Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/cancer-articles/basic-information-on-lung-cancer-surgery-1701481.html

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