Lung Cancer Research Paper

What are lung cancers? Lung cancers are the abnormal cells which grow in uncontrolled manner in one or both lungs. They do not function as normal lung cells and do not develop into healthy lung tissue. The abnormal cells can grow, form tumours and interfere with the normal functions of the lung (Lungcancer.org, 2015). Lung cancers can be divided into two major types, namely non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancers (SCLC). NSCLC can be further classified into three main subtypes, namely adenocarcinoma, squamous-cell carcinoma and large-cell carcinoma (Longo & Harrison, 2012). Lung cancers can be diagnosed by chest X-ray, computerised tomography (CT) scan, positron emission tomography-computerised tomography (PET-CT) scan, bronchoscopy and biopsy (Nhs.uk, 2015). Unfortunately, lung cancers are often diagnosed at the later stages. This is due to the unrecognisable symptoms and warning signs at the earlier stages. NSCLC are often diagnosed at stage IV which accounts for 30-40% of cases whereas 60% of SCLC is diagnosed at stage IV. Lung cancer usually originates from the cells lining the bronchi, bronchioles and alveoli. Carcinogens especially tobacco smoke will alter the gene expression of the normal human lung cells, resulting in cell mutation. The proto-oncogenes will be converted to mutated form, oncogenes. Mutation leads to the decreased expression of the tumour suppressor genes. This results in uncontrolled cell proliferation, cell

     Lung cancer is the most common cancer-related cause of death among men and women. Lung cancer can be undetected for many years causing it to become more dangerous and possibly fatal. There is not cure for lung cancer or any cancer, but if detected in an early stage the lung cancer can be detected, treated, and hopefully terminated. There are many new and developing treatments being tested now that may save lives in the future. Through understanding what the lung cancer is, doctors can easily diagnose and assess cancer patients.

However, there are stages in the lives of all humans when the body finds itself in a position where it is no longer able to defend itself against ailments and diseases and eventually may even lose the battle. One such disease which claims many lives every year in this manner is Cancer. So far so, there has been no cure for Cancer but some medicines and treatments are now available which can slow down and in some cases can even alter the effects of Cancer, depending on the stage at which the disease is at that moment. For this paper however we would concentrate on Lung Cancer and its effects.

The topic that was picked for this Pathophysiology paper is lung cancer. This topic was picked because a lot of people in the United States smoke but why? When this most likely will happen. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States including both men and women. The American cancer society estimates 186,000 new cases of lung cancer are diagnosed each year and more than 165,000 deaths are because of it. The biggest cause of Lung Cancer relating it too 85% of cases is tobacco smoke, because of the repeated exposure to the inhaled substance. And don’t forget about second hand smoke! (Ignatavicius- workman Medical surgical nursing book 7th edition) First this paper is going to tell what to assess for in a patient

Cancer, it can affect anyone; it can affect any part of the body but what is it? Cancer results from the abnormality in the body's cells. This occurs when the cells divided and grow. Disruption in the system of the growth and division of a cell results in an uncontrolled division and proliferation of cells that form a mass which leads to cancer. The patient outcome for cancer is different for everyone, but it is also different with each type. In the respiratory department, a major type of cancer we will deal with is lung cancer. Lung cancer, however, has different types and stages, but for this paper, we are going to talk about Stage IIIA non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In the article titled “Stage IIIA Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer” it states

Lung cancer is a very common to be diagnosed with and harmful to anyone who is exposed to many resources around the world: smoking (first hand and second hand) and pollution. Any resource that is made up of chemicals that are exposed into the air that people breathe, give the risk of affecting others with lung cancer. However, since smoking is the most popular way to cause lung cancer, many people are exposed to it from either firsthand or second hand. First hand smoking is when the person being affected is indirect contact with the source that is giving off the toxins, while secondhand is when the one being affected is not directly connected to the main source. Either way the chemicals and toxins that come from harmful resources soon will build up and affect one’s normal body

These changes are “invisible” on an x-ray, as the disease does not initially develop in the form of a tumor like mass. Through the process of metastasis, cancerous cells split, and easily spread through other parts of the body through the lymph system undetected. The lymph system is very similar to veins, however they carry lymph, a clear fluid made of bodily waste. When cancerous cells penetrate this network, the disease can be easily spread at a fast rate. The more the cancer has spread, the less the survival rate. If non-small cell lung cancer is detected in patients early, the survival rate is around 49%. However if the cancer has progressed to “Stage 4” and become spread and advanced before detection, the survival rate is only a mere 1%, which results in almost certain

There are about 5 known stages now that are all factors of getting lung cancer. These 5 known stages are non-small cell lung cancer, small-cell lung cancer, adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and large cell carcinoma. Smoking yourself, and being around cigarette smoke, giving you second hand smoke, is another speedy way into lung cancer. “Non-small cell lung cancer accounts for about 85 percent of lung cancer” (cancer care). This source agrees to the other problem source because it shows the factors and the issues with the certain cells inside lung cancer. Second hand smoke giving lung cancer is a problem, this needs a solution because you shouldn’t be able to receive lung cancer from being around smoke and inhaling smoke, being around smokers is second hand smoke. Small-cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer have stages for each (American Society of Clinical Oncology). Like for example, limited stage, is a factor in small-cell lung cancer, and it means cancer is found on one side of the chest, involving just one part of the lung and nearby lymph

The symptoms of lung cancer include a new cough that doesn't go away, changes in a chronic cough or "smoker's cough," coughing up blood (hemoptysis) or rusty-colored phlegm, shortness of breath results from blockage in part of the lung, the spread of tumors, or fluid around the lung (pleural effusion), fatigue, chest pain that is a dull, aching and persistent, wheezing or hoarseness may be a signal for blockage or inflammation, recurrent respiratory infections like bronchitis or pneumonia, unexplained weight loss, bone pain, and

Among all types of cancer, lung cancer is a very common and highly lethal cancer. Lung cancer is an insidious disease not showing symptoms in its early stages, thus the diagnosis in most cases is done in cases of advanced disease. Shows an increase by 2% year on their worldwide incidence. Mortality from this tumor is very high and the prognosis of this disease is related to the phase where it is diagnosed.

From my studies, I have been able to demonstrate several links between lung cancer and smoking. It is indeed scientifically proven, that smoking is one of few factors that develop lung cancer – in fact it is the greatest. There are several pieces of evidence that support this theory, and are included later in this report.

|Specific Purpose: |To inform readers on the causes, effects and treatments of lung cancer. |

The main reason for lung cancer is smoking, sometimes non smokers just breathing in the second hand smoke. The cigarette itself is not only packed with cancerous chemicals but also chemicals that can “disarm” the lungs defense system. There are these tiny hairs the line the airways and they are called cilia. The hairs are suppose to block out toxins, bacteria, and viruses. The smoke from the tobacco stops the tiny hairs from doing their job. When the smoke stops the cilia it allows the cancerous chemicals to build up in the lungs.

Lung cancer, like other cancers is a disease attributed by excessive growth of cells and tissues in the lungs unlike other cancers which occur in different parts. This disorder is typically capable of spreading to other parts of the body and affecting them viciously. Cancers of the lungs are also known as carcinomas. A carcinoma is a strain of cancer that grows from epithelial cells primarily developing from tissues in the inside or outside surfaces of the body. The spread of the uncontrolled growing cells and tissue to the other parts of the body is known as metastasis (Reck et al., 2014). Symptoms of having lung cancer include coughing up blood, panting (short repeated breaths), weight loss, and feeling pain in

Lung Cancer is the second most common cancer found in both men and women. It is formed when an uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in one or both lungs takes place (“Lung Cancer 101” n.d.). Equivalent to all other cancers, lung cancer is able to grow rapidly which can cause it to expand to other parts of the body. “Signs and symptoms of lung cancer, such as coughing and shortness of breath, can take years to develop and they may not appear until the disease is advanced. There are two major types of lung cancer a person could be diagnosed with. Those types are non-small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer. Small cell lung cancer seem to grow more quickly in the body than non-small cell lung cancer. Since lungs are large, tumors are able to grow in them for a long period of time before being discovered. This results in early stage lung cancer (stage I and II) to be difficult to detect” (“Lung Cancer 101” n.d.). Overall, lung cancer is often associated to occur amongst people who tend to smoke. Although smoking contributes a big deal to the development of lung cancer, it is not always the root of the problem. People who are non-smokers are still in risk of lung cancer due to environmental exposures such as radon,wood smoke, and secondhand smoke.