Analysis of Lung Cancer Disease - Essay Example

Lung Cancer This complication accounts for the highest percentage of deaths in US due to its varied and complicated forms. The disease usually affects the epithelial cells of the heart due to their mutation, hence causing a tumor in the lungs. Lung cancer is usually associated with the elderly people due to its first metastasis process within the body (Roth, Cox & Hong 2). Study proves that the number of deaths in United States resulting from Lung cancer is greater than all the other types of cancers combined (Argiris, 118). The most common and highest cause of this predicament is tobacco use mostly through direct or passive smoking. According to Argiris, cigarette-smoking accounts for 94% of cancer reported cases worldwide. In addition, exposure to Radon gas and air pollution also leads to this predicament. There are mainly two types of Lung carcinoma including Non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) and small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) (Falk & Williams 4). NSCLC is most common among the two and usually treated through surgery. Key Words: Metastasis, Small Cell Lung Carcinoma (SCLC), Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma (NSCLC), Passive Smoker, Passive Smoking, Chemotherapy, Radiotherapy, Surgery, Lung cancer, Introduction This is a fatal ailment accountable for high mortality rates currently evident in the world. The disease is mostly associated with the unrestrained cell or tissue development in and around the lungs. If the malady is not spotted and treated at its early development stages, it extents beyond lung to other varied tissues and body parts making, hence becoming worse for the victims (Stewart 109). The ailment is mostly common among the older people with many of the reported cases attributed to those over 60 years. In addition, it is vulnerable to tuning to metastasis, hence turning out to be the most difficult cancer to manage or curb based on its effects as well as medical intervention. Due to its fast metastasizing process, comprise the most deadly form of cancer known for high mortality rates among its victims. According to studies so far contacted, this predicament acts as the principal cause of deaths among survivors not only in US but also globally. This study seeks to explore its varied types, causes, symptoms and signs of lung cancer as it develops in the human body. It also relays varied forms of treatment coupled with ways people can employ in shunning its future complications, which are vital if victims do not take the necessary care. There are two main types of this predicament categorized according to the cells involved. They include Small Cell Lung Carcinoma (SCLC) and Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma (NSCLC) (Holdstock). The latter is the most common type accounting for approximately 88% of all cases currently in the world (Holdstock). Conversely, the other is more aggressive and spreads faster to other body parts. Generally, lung cancer can occur in any part of the lung, though 90% of its infections occur in the epithelial cells of the lung (Falk & Williams 7). The latter comprise cells lining of both the larger and smaller air passages, hence referred their complications referred as Bronchogenic Carcinomas. Tobacco addicts are at a greatest risk of contracting this predicament due to the ingesting large toxic stuff in their bodies. In addition, different studies prove that the risk of one being infected increases with the number cigarettes one takes on daily basis (Roth, Cox & Hong 14). According to the study contacted by University of London regarding abrupt stopping of smoking habit, the victim reduces his or her chances of experiencing cancer complications by a significant margin. Therefore, people ought to try and shun this disastrous habit, which not only makes them vulnerable to contracting the ailment but also those at their vicinity through passive participation/smoking. Passive smoking can also be a contributor to contracting this ailment, resulting to the damaging of one’s breathing system. Passing near smokers or staying with them renders one being an indirect participant due to exposure to tobacco, which is the major causing substance of this predicament globally (Falk & Williams 167). Figure 1: What Causes Lung Cancer? n.d. Web. 21St July 2013. Figure 2: Lung Cancer and its attributive causes. n.d. web. 21St July 2013. Radon gas is another contributor though its results are less severe compared to those of smoking. It is the second highest cause of this predicament whereby its adverse effects are not known by numerous people (Holdstock). Emission of these gases emanate from Radium disintegration, which at certain incidences the affected victim cannot control them without the aid of the respective authorities. Radiations produced ionize genetic material causing alterations responsible for the cause of this predicament. Besides Radon gas and smoking air, pollution also contributes to this predicament especially among the people at the vicinity of gaseous-emitting industries (Roth, Cox & Hong 9). Based on Roth, Cox and Hong argument, air pollution accounts for approximately 2% of all reported cases of this predicament. Figure 3: Picture of industrial emissions. n.d. Web. 21St July 2013. The predicament does not usually exhibit notable symptoms at its early stages until it has spread and affected much of the lungs’ parts, which is at an advanced state. However, the first and most common indication is a dry cough with unrelenting chest pains. In addition, the patient reports of breathing problems and evidence of blood stains while coughing (Falk & Williams 6). Treatment of this malady is mostly via use of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and operation (Falk & Williams 51). If one reports symptoms of this predicament, specialists usually conduct chest radiographs to evaluate the type of tumor as well as the level of complication. It often appears as a solitary pulmonary swelling on a chest radiograph. Treatment also depends on varied factors characterizing the affected; hence oncologists cannot cite to have one specific method. Some of the factors, which oncologists consider include cell type, metastasis process and victim’s performance level, which varies across victims. SCLC management is usually through chemotherapy or radiotherapy whereby the core intention entails prolonging one’s life as well as easing the severity of the malady (Stewart 193). However, NSCC management is only via surgery because it is visible and removal of the tumor becomes easier for the oncologists. In most states, industrial and domestic carcinogens besides tobacco consumption pose a great threat leading to the contracting of lung cancer. Eradicating tobacco use is the most appropriate technique towards this complication’s prevention. In this process, it is vital to apply smoking cessation to achieve proper results. Histology Lung cancer classifications are according to their histological type. This mode of classification is essential for easier management as well as ascertaining of outcomes associated with the illness. The histological taxonomy is fundamentally in patients’ lives since it gives the foundation of therapeutic, diagnosis and epidemiology approach. There are four main histological types of lung carcinoma which are Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC), adenocarcinoma (AD), Smallcell Carcinoma (SCLC) and large cell carcinoma (LCC) (Ganti & Gerber 41). Conclusion This is a contagious predicament responsible for numerous deaths globally. Many people get the disease through extreme cigarettes’ use, inhaling of radon gas and exposure to polluted air either while in indoors or outside (Stewart 85). Elderly people are the most vulnerable to the disease and usually cause death within a very short time. Treatment of the illness is mostly through chemotherapy, operation and radiotherapy (Falk & Williams 51). Regimes have employed several policies in a bid to reduce lung cancer in their states. However, it is essential that more policies be in place to discourage cigarette smoking and therefore reduce its infections. Work Cited Athanassios, Argiris. Lung Cancer. New York: Demos Medical Publishing. 2012. Print. Ganti, Apar K. & Gerber, David, E. Lung Cancer. 2013. Print. Holdstock, Ruth. "Lung Cancer." Practice Nurse. 40. 8 (2010): 17-20. ProQuest. 20 July 2013. Roth, Jack A., Cox James D, & Hong Waun Ki, Lung Cancer. New York: John Wiley & Sons. 2011. Print. Stephen, Falk & Chris, Williams, Lung Cancer. Ohio: Oxford University Press. 2009. Print. Stewart, David, J. Lung Cancer: Prevention, Management, and Emerging Therapies. New York: Springer. 2010. Print. Read More