Lung Cancer Causes Treatment

The most common of all cancers is lung cancer, which is caused due to sudden improper and rapid growth in the tissue cells of the lungs. Lung cancer alone is responsible for 1.2 million deaths annually.

The number of people suffering from lung cancer has increased which can be accredited to the changing lifestyle of the general population. Shortness of breath, coughing, bleeding while coughing and weight loss, are some of the common symptoms of lung cancer.

Cigarette smoking is regarded the most common cause of lung cancer. According to various studies, the risk of developing lung cancer increases with the number of cigarettes smoked in due course. Pipe and cigar smoking also cause lung cancer however; the threat is not the same as with cigarette smoking.

Apart from cigarette smoking high levels of pollution, radiation and asbestos exposure can also increase the possibility of contracting lung cancer.

The two basic types of lung cancers can be:

• Small Cell Lung Cancer: Smoking is one of the most common cause for SCLC.

• Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: NSCLC can of four types, they are Squamous cell carcinoma (also called epidermoid carcinoma), Large Cell Carcinoma, Adenocarcinoma and Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Characteristically, cancer develops over a period of many years and if identified at an early stage can be eliminated by treatment. There are no specific signs or symptoms in the early stages as they only occur in the advanced stages. Therefore, its treatment must be based on the specific type of cell, the location of the lung tumor, the stage of the disease with probable metastasis (spread to other parts of the body) keeping in mind the general health of the person in question.

Some of the common methods in which lung cancer can be detected include chest radiography and computed tomography (CT). Once lung cancer is detected it is only confirmed with a biopsy. Biopsy refers to a medical test based on removing cells from a living tissue and thereby examining the same. One of the important factors for the treatment of lung cancer is histopathology, that is, the identification of the location and stage of the diseased tissue type of tumor. Some other treatment plans may include radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and/or surgery.

Acupuncture, massage therapy, herbal products, nutritional supplements, vitamins and special diet plans are some alternative treatments which have found their way in recent times.

Copyright 2009