Lung Cancer
Cancer is a word that we dread hearing about. While there are some people who have lost loved ones to this nightmare the rest of us feel a sense of death hovering nearby whenever the word cancer is mentioned. Of the many forms of cancer that we hear lung cancer is one that is associated with an external influencing cause.
This cause is related to smoking. The amount of smoke that is consumed plays a large part in the severity of the lung cancer. Since it is necessary to recognize how lung cancer forms we shall take a small trip into this area. The first item that we shall look at is the different forms of lung cancer which are to be found.
These forms are small cell lung cancer and non-small cell cancer. The difference in the growth of these cancers is determined by how the lung cells look under a microscope. Additionally the way that these cancers grow and spread is one which should be considered.
While you may feel that either form of lung cancer is bad for your health, of these small cell lung cancer is the rarer form. This form of cancer in the lungs is also called oat cell cancer. It is known to grow in the lungs quicker. You will also find that the metastasis process is faster and that the cancer has spread to other areas of the lungs.
Non-small cell lung cancer on the other hand – the more common form – grows at a slower rate. The spread rate is also slow. In this form of lung cancer you will find there are three divisions of cancer. These divisions are based on the type of cell in which the cancer forms in and around.
The divisions of non-small cell cancer are squamous cell carcinoma, large cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. For squamous cell carcinoma you will sometimes hear it being referred to as epidermoid carcinoma.
To help prevent the onset of lung cancer there are some early warning symptoms that you can find. These are a constant chest pain, fatigue, a chronic cough that gets worse over time. Additionally sufferers will experience a shortness of breath, hoarseness, or wheezing. You will find that coughing up blood, loss of appetite, swelling of the face and neck, repeated bouts of bronchitis and pneumonia are other symptoms of lung cancer.
If you experience any of these symptoms you may want to see your doctor. By getting medical help early you can prevent lung cancer from becoming even worse. The cures which can be used to halt the spread of lung cancer will help to improve the quality of your life.