The Characteristics of the Lung Cancer - Essay Example

Lung Cancer by A paper explores the characteristics of the lung cancer. This disease isthe main cause of deaths from cancer in the world. The pathology and diagnosis of lung cancer are discussed. The paper also describes the key aspects of treatment and prevention of the lung cancer. Current issues are explored. 1. Introduction Lung cancer possesses one of the most common cancer disease. It causes about 1.1 million deaths every year. Lung cancer is also known as the deadliest form of cancer. Tobacco smoking is the main cause of the disease. Occupation and family history can also be a cause of the disease (Travis et al., 2004: 15). As it is the most dangerous forms and caused by the effect of the carcinogens, the early detection and treatment are the important issues. The tobacco smoking and limitation of the other carcinogens’ effect should be also taken into account. 2. Description of the disease Lung cancer is a carcinoma or a cancer that develops from the epithelial cells. Lung cancer evokes in the lungs where these cell are genetically damaged. There are three main forms of damages: squamous dysplasia/carcinoma in situ, atypical adenomatous hyperplasia and diffuse idiopathic pulmonary neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia (Kernstine and Reckamp, 2011: 35). These cells start to proliferate creating the tumour. If the tumour remains untreated, the cancer cells can be transported to the other tissues creating the metastases. Typically, 7-15 are necessary for the tumour development (Eckard and Kimmis, 2009: 12). There are two main types of lung cancer: small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) and non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). 10-15 % of the lung cancers are SCLC. The rest is NSCLC In case of small-cell lung cancer small cancer cells create tumours in the lung. These small cell may also penetrate to the other tissues. In case of non–small-cell lung cancer the cancer cells are seen under the microscope as relatively larger. The presented classification is used for the treatment of the disease (Eckard and Kimmis, 2009: 13). The symptoms of the lung cancer can classified on the local and distant effects. Typical local effects are connected with the lung damages and include cough, wheezing, shortened breath and pains in chest. The most common distant effect is weight loss. Some forms of lung cancer may cause hypertrophic osteoarthropathy. The detectable symptoms mean that the disease has already been developed within the body (Churg et al., 2011: 447-450). 3. Causes of lung cancer The effect of the carcinogens is the main cause of lung cancer. Smoking (including second hand smoking) is the common cause of the cancer. The evidence that smoking is a cause of lung cancer was obtained during the studies in 1950-60th. The risk factors in effect of smoking is the duration of smoking and the presence carcinogens in the tobacco smoke. Marihuana smoke also contains substance that cause lung cancer. The main type of cancer caused by tobacco smoke is small cells cancer (Travis et al., 2004: 13-14). The other components, which may cause lung cancer, are asbestos, polycyclic aromatic carbohydrates (especially benzopyrene) and radon. The effect of these substances was determined by different studies. The presence of nitrogen and sulphur oxides, as well as arsenic and beryllium compounds may be the additional factor of lung cancer development. Family history can be the factor that predefines the development of lung cancer. The possibility of lung cancer development increases if the relatives had this disease (Travis et al., 2004: 15) 4. Diagnostics of the lung cancer The proper diagnosis of lung cancer includes several aspects. The lung cancer has to be detected at its early stages. It is also important to determine the stage of the disease. In this case the proper treatment can be used (The diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer (update), 2011: 32-40). The factors, which contribute to the increase of lung cancer development have to be registered. These factors include smoking history, physical state, family history and weight loss records (Peters et al., 2012: 58). Then the methods that does not require the tissue sampling are used. These methods include chest x-ray, computed tomography, positron emission tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. The created picture are analysed to detect the tumours or spread of the metastases in the brain or bones (Eckard and Kimmis, 2009: 17-19). If there is a suspicion that the cancer has been developed, the samples of tissues are taken (Eckard and Kimmis, 2009: 20-22). The most common techniques are needle biopsy and blood count. The other invasive methods are bronchoscopy, mediastinoscopy and thoracoscopy. A part of the techniques are used in case that the patient is suspected for having lung cancer. The other techniques are used to confirm the preliminary diiagnosis (The diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer (update), 2011: 32-40). If the cancer is detected, the important issue is to determine the stage of the cancer. This process is called staging. The required tests include bone biochemistry, hematology and hepatic function (Peters et al., 2012: 58). The tests on non–small-cell lung cancer use the TNM approach. In this case, tumour, lymph nodes and metastasises are analysed. The invasive procedures are also used to detect whether the treatment of lung cancer is effective (The diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer (update), 2011: 32-40). 5. Treatment and prevention The treatment of lung cancer includes effect on the cancer cells or the removal of the tumour. The treatment depends on the stage of the disease. The main types of procedures are chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery. The surgery can be used in case if the patient is fit for the procedure (it includes about 54 different tests). The common procedure is lobectomy. The other sigical techniques are sub-lobar resection, bronchoplastic resection and Lung volume reduction surgery (The diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer (update), 2011: 57-59). The chemotherapy foresees the use of medicines that sensitise or kill cancer cells. It can be used in complex with other treatment. The chemotherapy may also improve the health state after the surgery. The drugs used for the chemotherapy are carboplatin, cisplatin and etoposide (Eckard and Kimmis, 2009: 25-31). The radio therapy is the important part of treatment. It can be used in complex with the chemotherapy. The radiotherapy foresees the irradiation of the chest or the direct effect of radiation on the sites where the tumours are located. The chemotherapy makes cancer cells more sensitive. The prophylactic cranial irradiation is used for the prevention of the metastases in brain (the most common form of matastases). All measures are used in complex (Eckard and Kimmis, 2009: 25-31). Prevention of the lung cancer foresees that a person should avoid the effect of carcinogens (tobacco smoke, asbestos, and radon). The early diagnosis and tests may help to detect lung cancer at the early stages. The special attention should be paid to the risk groups: smokers and persons exposed to the carcinogens. The shortage of smoking or its non-smoking increases the chance to avoid lung cancer (Kernstine and Reckamp, 2011: 25-45). 6. Conclusion Lung cancer remains the main cause of cancer deaths in the world. It symptoms are usually the signs of the developed tumours in the lung. It is caused mostly by the effect of the carcinogens (especially tobacco smoke). The treatment of lung cancer is multidisciplinary and includes chemotherapy together with the radiotherapy or surgery. The prevention of lung cancer foresees the removal of the carcinogens’ effect and diagnosis on the early stages. Despite the progress in the methods of the therapy, the anti-smoking measures and development of the new diagnostic techniques are the important issues of fighting lung cancer. Bibliography Churg, A.M. et al. 2011. Thurbeck’s Pathology of the Lung 3rd Ed., New York: Thieme Medical Publisher, Inc. Eckard, J.R. and Kimmis, J.A. 2009. Understanding Lung Cancer: a Guide for Patients and Their Families 2nd Ed. Darien, CT: CMP Healthcare Media, LLC Kernstine, K.H. and Reckamp, K.L. 2011. Lung Cancer: A Multidisciplinary Approach to Diagnosis and Management, New York: Demos Medical Publishing, LLC The diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer (update). 2011. Cardiff: National Collaborating Centre for Cancer Travis, W.D. et al. (Eds.) 2004. Pathology and Genetics of Tumours of the Lung, Pleura, Thymus and Heart, Lyon: IARCPress Peters, S. et al. 2012. “Metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC): ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up”, Annals of Oncology. 23: 56-64. Read More