Guide to Cancer

Lung Cancer

There are many types of cell that that the body is comprised of. The normal process consists of the cells growing, dividing and production of yet more cells so that the body can function how it should and remain healthy.

The constant reproduction of cells is a constant cycle throughout a person's life. The growth of cells occur so wounds can be repaired and old tissues can be replaced.

However, sometimes this fails to go to plan and cells can start growing wildly. When they gather into a mass, it's known as a tumor. These can either be malignant or benign.

Cancer is when abnormal cells in both tissues and organs grow wildly out of control. Over time, they grow and increase in great numbers. Cancerous cells enter cells and destroy the surrounding tissue. They separate from a malignant tumor and invade the bloodstream or lymphatic system.

The lymphatic system comprises both the organs and tissues that produce, store, and carry white blood cells. These white blood cells combat infection as well as other diseases.

Metastasis is the name for this process and it basically details how cancer spreads from its first tumor to make new ones on different parts of the body.

Benign tumors are the ones which are not cancerous. Typically, they can be removed and usually don't come back. They also don't spread to other parts of the body and only in rare cases are they life threatening.

Lung cancer begins in the cells which line the main air passages, also known as the bronchi. When they're in their cancerous state, they lack cilia. Cilia being hair like substances which are very small and usually both catch and rid particles of a foreign nature inhaled into the lungs. Mucous becomes trapped which in turn blocks air passages and causes problems with the respiratory system.

There are a variety of different types of cancer which affect the lungs; the main ones are described here,

The first three start in the lining membrane of the airway. They are found in those areas which are more prone to inhaled pollutants.

Squamos cell cancer is the most common form of lung cancer, representing around 42.5% of all lung cancers.

Around 17.5% are small cell cancers. The reason for this is that it spreads quickly from it's central location.

In around 7.5% of the cases of lung cancer, it's found to be large cell undifferentiated cancer.

A lung cancer that accounts for around 27.5% of cases is found flaring up in the lung and is called Adenocarcinoma. This one can be found in both smokers and non smokers alike.

Accounting for less than 5% of cases is Bronchioloavealar cancer and is located in more remote parts of the lung. This can also be found in both smokers and non smokers.

There are there others but these are rare and combined make up less than 5% of the total number of cases of lung cancer.

Lung cancer as a whole is responsible for more deaths than any other form of cancer in the western world. Numerous studies have shown that in most cases. smoking cigarettes is the direct cause.