Cancer is a class of diseases characterized by out of control cell growth. Lung cancer occurs when this uncontrolled cell growth begins in one or both lungs. The lungs are two large spongy organs located inside the chest cavity. Air is breathed into the trachea and moves down two tubes called bronchi, each going to a lung. Lung cancer occurs most often in adults between the ages of 40 and 70 who have smoked cigarettes for at least 20 years.

Over 1,400 victorians are diagnosed with lung cancer every year. Only about 2% of those diagnosed with lung cancer that has spread to other areas of the body are alive five years after the diagnosis, although the survival rates for lung cancers diagnosed at a very early stage are higher with approximately 49% surviving for five years or longer.

There are different types of lung cancer, depending on which cells are affected. The two main types are:

1. Small cell carcinom
Around 15 per cent of lung cancers are small cell carcinomas. This type of cancer spreads early and shows few early symptoms.

2. Non-small cell carcinoma
These cancers affect the cells that line the main bronchi.

Some lung tumors are metastatic from cancers elsewhere in the body. The lungs are a common site for metastasis. Since lung cancer tends to spread or metastasize very early in its course, it is a very life-threatening cancer and one of the most difficult cancers to treat. While lung cancer can spread to any organ in the body.

Symptoms of lung cancer are varied depending upon where and how widespread the tumor is. Warning signs of lung cancer are not always present or easy to identify. Lung cancer symptoms may take years before appearing, usually after the disease is in an advanced stage.

Below is the following symptoms of lung cancer include :

1. Pain in the chest shoulder or back from coughing

2. A cough that does not go away or gets worse over time

3. Breathlessness and swallowing

4. Recurring pneumonia or chest infections

5. Wheezing or hoarseness may signal blockage

6. Unexplained weight loss

Lung cancer is categorized into stages according to its spread. This helps the doctors to decide on appropriate treatments. Lung cancer treatments also depend on the type of cancer, age, health status and additional personal characteristics. As there is usually no single treatment for cancer, patients often receive a combination of therapies and palliative care. More than one type of therapy may be prescribed.

Although the diagnostic techniques provided important information, extracting cancer cells and looking at them under a microscope is the only absolute way to diagnose lung cancer. This procedure is called a biopsy. If the biopsy confirms lung cancer, a pathologist will determine whether it is non-small cell lung cancer or small cell lung cancer.

Small cell lung cancer has two stages which is :

1. In the limited stage, the tumor exists in one lung and in nearby lymph nodes.

2. In the extensive stage, the tumor has infected the other lung as well as other organs in the body.

For non-small cell lung cancer, these stages are labeled from I to IV. The lower numbers indicate earlier stages where the cancer has spread less :

1. Stage I is when the tumor is found only in one lung and in no lymph nodes.

2. Stage II is when the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes surrounding the infected lung.

3. Stage III is when the cancer has spread to lymph nodes around the trachea, chest wall and diaphragm on the same side as the infected lung.

4. Stage IV is when the cancer has spread to lymph nodes on the other lung or in the neck.

5. Stage IV is when the cancer has spread throughout the rest of the body and other parts of the lungs.

As with most cancers, the results are best if the cancer is diagnosed in its earliest stages. However, some lung cancers aren’t diagnosed until they are quite advanced. Treatment may then be limited to easing the symptoms. Treatment decisions in lung cancer depend on whether SCLC or NSCLC. Treatment options for lung cancer include :

1. Chemotherapy is an anti cancer drugs are given to stop cancer cells from multiplying. This treatment is most effective for small cell carcinoma.

2. Surgery to remove the affected part of the lung or an entire lung. This offers the best chance of cure if the cancer has not spread beyond the lungs.

3. Radiotherapy use of x-rays to target and kill cancer cells. It may be used against some early stage lung cancers and to stop cancer in the lymph nodes from spreading further.

4. Targeted therapy is use of small molecules, often in tablet form that may be used after chemotherapy.

5. Clinical trials is a participation in a clinical trial that investigates the safety and effectiveness of novel drugs may be offered.

Cancers that are closely linked to certain behaviors are the easiest to prevent. If you are a current tobacco user, quitting can still greatly reduce your chances of getting cancer. The most important preventive measure you can take to avoid lung cancer is to quit smoking. Many products such as nicotine gum, nicotine sprays, nicotine inhalers have been successfully used to help people trying to quit smoking.

There are common causes of lung cancer :

1. A person who smokes more than one pack of cigarettes per day has a risk of developing lung cancer 20-25 times greater than someone who has never smoked.

2. Cigar and pipe smoking increases the risk of lung cancer but not as much as smoking cigarettes.

3. Asbestos fibers are silicate fibers that can persist for a lifetime in lung tissue following exposure to asbestos. The workplace is a common source of exposure to asbestos fibers.

4. Radon gas is a natural chemically inert gas that is a natural decay product of uranium. With an estimated 12% of lung-cancer deaths attributable to radon gas.

5. Air pollution from vehicles, industry, and power plants can raise the likelihood of developing lung cancer in exposed individuals

Screening techniques are designed to find cancer at the earliest stage so that the most treatment options are available. Most lung cancers are detected in the late stages of the disease after they have spread and are harder to treat. Possible lung cancer screening tests include analysis of sputum cells, fiberoptic examination of bronchial passages and low-dose spiral CT scans.

Cancer and cancer treatments can make a person feel too tired to exercise. However, studies show that, physical activity can boost the energy levels of a person who has cancer.

Regular exercise improves functioning of the immune system and may increase survival rates in some cases. Aim for five to 20 minutes of moderate intensity exercise on most days of the week. But do not exercise without your doctor’s knowledge and support because inappropriate exercise may be harmful.

Get more info about cancer from this blog, Treatments For Cancer

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/cancer-articles/lung-cancer-symptoms-treatments-1367468.html

Lung cancer is a very deadly disease. The most significant risk factor of this disease is cigarette smoking. Lung cancer proves to be one of the most deadly health problems among Americans.

Studies show that lung cancer account for twenty-eight percent of all cancer deaths among American men and women.

Records further show that lung cancer is the most lethal malignant tumor worldwide causing up to three million deaths annually.

Even with the recognition that cigarette smoking is the major risk factor of lung cancer, it is important to note that not all smokers die of lung cancer but just the same, not all non-smokers are safe from lung cancer.

It is further important to recognize that early symptoms of lung cancer will help ensure proper management of this health risk condition.

Doctors believe that detection of early symptoms of lung cancer will help halt the progression of lung cancer and put the symptoms to remission.

There are various treatments available against this disease but if you will neglect the early symptoms of lung cancer, it may be hard to manage and possibly, it is already impossible to control. This is because advanced stage of the disease already involves secondary cancer sites developed in the other parts of the body.

Various treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, radio immunotherapy and the new lung cancer treatment, photodynamic therapy.

All of these lung cancer treatments will become useless especially if the detection of the cancer is already on its advanced stage.

Thus, it is necessary to recognize early symptoms of lung cancer to ensure you will be able to halt the symptoms and not merely lessen the symptoms.

Early symptom of lung cancer such as persistent coughing is commonly associated with mere itchiness of the throat from smoking. This makes smokers neglect it and set it aside.

Most smokers commonly worry about lung cancer symptoms only when they see blood in the sputum. Do not fall prey to this situation because when you finally see blood in the sputum, this means that you are already on the advanced stage of the lung cancer.

Other common early symptoms of lung cancer that is often neglected are sudden weight loss, chest pain and constant fatigue, when you start feeling all these signs and you are a smoker, you may need to see your doctor and have him test you for possible signs of lung cancer.

The next symptoms of lung cancer, which will point to an advanced stage of the disease are recurring cases of pneumonia or bronchitis, and neck and facial swelling.

Ensure that you will not neglect early symptoms of lung cancer to help you manage the disease properly. Visit your doctor if you are a smoker suffering from persistent coughing and constant fatigue.

Furthermore, if you are working in an environment where you are often exposed to impure air such as chemicals and asbestos ashes, even if you are not a smoker, you may need to check with your doctor when you feel anything similar to the early symptoms of lung cancer.

There is yet no known cure for this disease, thus detection of early symptoms of lung cancer is the only defence you have in order to avoid this lethal cancer from affecting your life.

It will also help to make sure you will not suffer from lung cancer if you minimize smoking or totally eradicate smoking from your life and live a healthy and active lifestyle.

Regular exercise and eating a well-balanced diet will ensure you will not suffer from lung cancer and will not experience even the early symptoms of lung cancer.

About the Author:Mark MacKay is a freelance health columnist. He is also the creator of Lung Cancer Treatments, a web site setup to help people find useful and accurate information on Lung Cancer. Visit his site at http://www.Lung-Cancer-Explained.info
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – How Helpful Is The Recognition Of Early Symptoms Of Lung Cancer

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You’ve probably heard that the antioxidants found in certain foods and red wine can offer some protection from breast cancer, heart disease and stroke. According to new research set to appear in October’s Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, we could soon be adding lung cancer symptoms to that list.

“An antioxidant component in red wine may help to prevent lung cancer,” according to lead researcher Chun Chao a research scientist with the Kaiser Permanente Southern California Department of Research and Evaluation. “The findings provide an impetus for further research to find out if there is something in red wine that may help to either prevent or treat lung cancer.”

Scientists believe that antioxidants, like those found in red wine and other foods, are somehow able to protect cells from oxidative damage that comes from free radicals and can strike any part of a cell, proteins, the membrane, even the DNA itself. Cellular damage caused by free radicals has been implicated in the development of cancer.

Researchers used the California Men’s Health Study to identify 210 lung cancer patients from the 45 to 69 year old men who were members of a large, prepaid health plan in California. The researchers looked at cancer rates and consumption of red and white wine, beer and other liquor. They found that, on average, there was a 2% lower risk of lung cancer associated with each glass of red wine a subject drank per month. So… a man who drinks 30 glasses each month would lower his risk of lung cancer by 60%.

Of course, any smoker’s risk of lung cancer is higher than a non smoker’s risk. We all know that, right?

The team found the biggest effect on risk seemed to come to male smokers who drank one to two glasses of red wine per day. Makes you wonder if the red wine somehow… rises to the challenge of the toxic chemicals in the smoke?

You notice the emphasis on red wine? There are two reasons for this…

1. The study found no reduction in risk in men who drank the same amounts of white wine, beer or liquor. Only red wine had the effect.

2. Red wine uses the whole grape, seeds, skins and all, which keeps vital antioxidants known as polyphenols in the wine, in a form ready to be absorbed and used by the body.

Of course, many are quick to point out that one study doesn’t prove that red wine has any protective effects. Sometimes early work like this, on further research, doesn’t stand up. And the researchers themselves are quick to insist that this study doesn’t mean smoking is something you should continue to do, or that red wine will protect a smoker from developing lung cancer.

“Clearly, we aren’t recommending that smokers go out and start consuming large amounts of red wine as a potential protection from getting lung cancer,” says Dr. Leonard Lichtenfeld, deputy chief medical officer of the American Cancer Society, “There are other research reports that show any alcohol, including red wine, can increase the risk of other cancers such as breast cancer.”

And of course you don’t have to rely on red wine to increase your levels of anti-oxidants each day. Eating 5 – 9 portions of fruit and vegetables will mean you’re giving your body the right kind of fuel to fight free radicals helping to minimize the risk of lung cancer symptoms.

About the Author:Over 14,000 people have joined Kirsten’s popular (and sometimes controversial) Daily Health Bulletin, so why not join them and stay up to date with the latest protection against lung cancer symptoms and other health news daily.
You also get 5 health reports free when you join – giving you all you need to treat common ailments, lose weight, look younger and feel healthier.
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – The Wine That Might Offer Protection Against Lung Cancer Symptoms

The preliminary of lung cancer symptoms include persistent coughing and chest pain, which are often mistaken for common ailments. Identify early lung cancer symptoms with helpful information from this free video.

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Lung cancer is one of the top killers in developed and of late developing countries. More than a million deaths are reported worldwide. Smoking still remains the number one risk factor for lung cancer. Other risk factors include passive or second-hand smoke, Asbestos exposure, Radon exposure, and genetic mutations. Lung cancer remains one of the most preventive cancers and yet many people are falling prey to this deadly cancer.

Early diagnosis still remains the mainstay in helping people with lung cancer have a longer life expectancy. There are some unusual symptoms of lung cancer that you should be aware of to help in an early diagnosis.

1. Shoulder or upper back pain: Shoulder or upper back pain is an often unnoticed symptom of lung cancer caused by the tumour pressing on the lining of the lungs.

2. Swelling of the face and neck: The venous drainage of the upper part of the body is Superior Venacava. Pressure from the tumour can lead to impaired venous and lymphatic drainage leading to swelling of the face and neck.

3. Frequent pneumonia and other lung infections: The tumour cells can trap bacteria and this results in frequent lung infections and pneumonia.

4. Male breast development: Gynacomastia is the name for development of breasts in men. Breast growth is due to the presence of Oestrogen and some lung cancers can produce amounts of Oestrogen that stimulate breast development.

5. Hoarseness of voice: The tumour can press upon important organs like the voice box or nerves involved in speech and this results in hoarseness of voice.

If you know someone who has developed these symptoms then there is a possibility that they have lung cancer and it needs to be checked by a doctor.

Want more updates on the various types of cancer, their symptoms and treatment? Read more about cancer at http://www.usefulcancerinfo.blogspot.com, bookmark the site and check daily for some great information on cancer.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Raj_Iyer

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