| Two different types of cancer grow and spread in | | | | the chest area more often than the bronchi are |
| lungs in completely different ways and knowing the | | | | squamous cell carcinomas which are far less common. |
| type becomes important to treatment. In the United | | | | The most uncommon type are large cell carcinomas. |
| States as well as the rest of the world, lung cancer is | | | | A mixture of all three types can be possible. |
| the leading cause of cancer deaths for both women | | | | Symptoms are most likely related to either the original |
| and men. While most individuals with the disease will | | | | tumor, to malignant issues with hormones and blood or |
| eventually experience lung cancer symptoms, some | | | | other systems that have been affected by |
| may never have them until the disease has | | | | metastastatic tumors. A new cough or a persistent |
| progressed to the point when a chest X-ray becomes | | | | one that will not clear up may be initial indicators that |
| necessary. At this stage the prognosis is already poor, | | | | there is a problem. If there is blood associated with the |
| which is one of the reasons lung cancer has such a | | | | cough it is certainly a serious issue. |
| high mortality rate. | | | | Being short of breath, wheezing and chest pain may |
| There are two different types of these cells that may | | | | be important indicators that a problem exists. Pain can |
| be present in the lungs and they are classified by their | | | | be associated with areas other than the lung. |
| appearance under the microscope; they include small | | | | Wheezing and being short of breath may be related to |
| cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) and non-small cell lung | | | | fluid collecting around lungs; called pleural effusion. All of |
| carcinoma (NSCLC). There is the possibility that other | | | | these may also indicate that there is some sort of |
| forms of cancer can appear like bronchial carcinoids, | | | | blockage. Repeated respiratory infections like |
| but the percentage of this type is low and they usually | | | | pneumonia and bronchitis can also be indications. |
| present in individuals under the age of forty. | | | | It may not occur often, but it is possible that a buildup |
| Metastastatic cancers; that have come from other | | | | of fluid between the heart and sac surrounding it may |
| areas can also be found here. | | | | occur and this is called a pericardial effusion. A |
| The small cell type is very aggressive and rapidly | | | | collapsed lung is also a possibility which is called a |
| grows. Unfortunately, they are not usually found until | | | | pneumothorax. If the cancer has metastasized to |
| they have spread to other parts of the body. They | | | | other areas then there will also be associated |
| can also be called oat cell carcinomas and their cause | | | | symptoms with that. |
| is directly connected to smoking cigarettes. Individuals | | | | A group of tests will be performed that should include |
| that do not smoke account for only one percent of | | | | PET scans, X-rays, CT scans and bone scans. The |
| those affected by SCLC. | | | | physician has to make a decision regarding the current |
| Non-small cell is found in three different types and | | | | stage of the disease. The prognosis is typically not |
| makes up approximately eighty percent of cancers | | | | optimistic for this type because the disease is usually |
| that are found in the lungs. Located in the outer areas | | | | advanced by the time the lung cancer symptoms |
| of the lungs are adenocarcinomas and these are | | | | have actually appeared. |
| found in smokers and non-smokers alike. Located in | | | | |