Lung cancer is one of the most common
malignancies in both genders. In terms
of new cancer cases each year, it ranks second only to breast cancer in women
and second to prostate cancer in men.
There are approximately 170,000 new lung
cancer cases annually, and each year about
160,000 deaths are attributed to it.
As a result, says Dr. Jay M. Lee, Surgical
Director of the Thoracic Oncology Program at the David Geffen School of
Medicine at UCLA, “Lung cancer is the
deadliest malignancy and the leading cause
of cancer-related mortality in both women
and men.”
Smart Business spoke with Lee about
lung cancer, how it is detected and what
steps can be taken to reduce the odds of
getting this form of cancer.
What are the different types of lung cancer?
Lung cancer is a malignancy where cancer cells grow in the tissues of the lung.
There are two major types of lung cancer,
nonsmall-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and
small-cell lung cancer (SCLC). NSCLC is
much more common and accounts for 80
percent of lung cancer cases. By the
appearance of the cancer cells under the
microscope, several histologic subtypes
have been classified for NSCLC. The common subtypes include adenocarcinoma,
squamous cell carcinoma, large cell carcinoma and carcinoid tumors.
What are the possible signs of lung cancer?
Lung cancer can be present with no
symptoms, particularly in its early stages.
However, when symptoms do occur, they
can include nonspecific and often subtle
symptoms such as:
- Chronic cough
- Hoarseness
- Hemoptysis (coughing up blood)
- Unexpected weight loss or
loss of appetite - Difficulty breathing
- Wheezing
- Bronchitis or pneumonia
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Fatigue
Because these symptoms are also present in other lung problems, you should
consult your doctor to find out the cause of
the condition.
How is lung cancer detected?
Patients with suspected lung cancer are
detected in two scenarios: 1) The onset of
symptoms prompts a visit to the doctor or
2) in the case of asymptomatic individuals,
a routine examination and radiologic testing leads to the finding of an abnormal spot
[tumor] in the lung. In both situations, the
doctor will evaluate a person’s medical history, assess risk factors and obtain a family
history of cancer. The doctor will also perform a physical examination and may
order a chest X-ray or a specialized X-ray
called a chest CT scan. Although the radiologic studies allow the detection of abnormal spots in the lung, they do not provide
tissue confirmation of lung cancer.
Therefore, to make a diagnosis of lung cancer, the doctor will need to obtain a sample
or biopsy of the lung tumor. If you are diagnosed with lung cancer, the doctor will do
further radiologic testing to find out
whether the cancer has spread outside of
the chest and to other parts of the body.
This information will help the doctor stage
the lung cancer and plan the most effective
treatment.
How can lung cancer be treated?
Individual treatment plans are generated
on the basis of several factors, including
the type of lung cancer, stage and the overall health of the patient. Treatment strategies may be used in varying combinations
to treat or palliate lung cancer. There are
three main treatment modalities: surgery,
chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
What steps can one take to decrease their
chances of getting lung cancer?
The most common risk factors associated with lung cancer development are
smoking, secondhand smoke, radon exposure and asbestos exposure. Smoking cigarettes or cigars is the most common cause,
resulting in almost 90 percent of lung cancer cases. Secondhand smoke is also a risk
factor and is attributed to about 3,000 lung
cancer deaths annually. Thus, smoking cessation and avoidance of secondhand
smoke are obvious lifestyle modifications
to reduce cancer risk.
Radon is a natural radioactive gas and a
known lung cancer carcinogen and cannot
be seen, smelled or tasted. However, its
presence in your home or workplace can
pose a danger to your health. Radon has
been shown to be the leading cause of lung
cancer among nonsmokers, accounting for
approximately 20,000 lives annually. Testing for excessive levels is encouraged.
Asbestos is a mineral fiber that was once
used in building construction materials.
Although its use has been banned, asbestos
can be found in older homes, in pipe and
furnace insulation materials, paints and
other coating materials. It’s a well-known
carcinogen that can cause lung cancer and
mesothelioma. Avoidance or safe handling
of asbestos fibers is important.
DR. JAY M. LEE is Surgical Director of the Thoracic Oncology
Program at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. Reach
him at [email protected] or (310) 794-7333. For
more information, visit www.lungcancer.ucla.edu.