Radiotherapy Lung Cancer

In the UK 38,000 people are diagnosed with lung cancer every year. There are two types of lung cancer; small cell which occurs in 20% of cases and non-small cell which occurs in 80% of cases. Small cell lung cancer is the most dangerous as it travels through to other parts of the body early on and can get into the bloodstream or lymph system quite quickly. Non small cell lung cancer travels more slowly and if caught early can be successfully cured.

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The most commonly used treatments for lung cancer are surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. The exact treatment a lung cancer patient receives will depend on several factors. These include the type of cancer, the stage or extent to which it has spread at the time of diagnosis, and the overall health of the patient.

Cancer is uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells. Growth of abnormal cells in one or both lungs could be indicative of lung cancer. These abnormal cells have a tendency to grow but do not develop into healthy tissue of lungs. Research has shown that 87% of lung cancer is related to smoking. Risks are considerably reduced if the person quits smoking.

Your treatment of lung cancer will rely on many factors like its type, where it is in your body and whether and how far the cancer has extended. Sometimes the entire cure is likely by way of surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy or a combination of these. In other cases, where a cure isn't achievable, your treatment will intend to provide you as much quality of life as possible.

Lung cancer may be treated by a variety of therapies including surgery, but chemotherapy and radiation treatments are used extensively to treat the disease whether surgery takes place or not. Chemotherapy Chemotherapy involves drug medication which is designed to kill fast growing cells in the body - cancer cells are fast growing and it is this uncontrolled growth which causes tumors to develop.

Mesothelioma is nothing but a cancer of mesothelium. It affects the abdominal cavity, chest cavity and the region surrounding the heart. It is basically the covering structure of most of the internal organs of the body. Mesothelioma is typically difficult to diagnose and treat due to its uncommon nature.

Lung cancer claims millions of lives each year. It is one of most common causes of death among all diseases. There is no cure for the ailment; however, treatments are available, which can extend your life for five years or even longer, depending on the cancer's severity. At the first hint of lung cancer, you should consult your doctor, immediately. The earlier you receive treatment, the bigger your chances of surviving.

Approximately 80 percent of people with lung cancer have non-small cell lung cancer. Depending on the type of cancer cell present, non-small cell cancer is in turn divided into several subtypes. Squamous cell carcinoma begins in thin, flat surface cells that line the respiratory tract, and is the most common type. Adenocarcinoma forms in cells that have a secretory or glandular function. Adenosquamous carcinoma begins in flattened cells that also have secretory properties. In sarcomatoid carcinoma, cells look markedly abnormal under the microscope. Carcinoid tumors grow slowly, and release hormones when stimulated by the nervous system. Cells in salivary glands in larger airways can also become cancerous.