what is the medical term for lung cancer

Can lung cancer be treated with only medicines?

Some people can have treatment with one drug. For both types of lung cancer, you usually have either cisplatin or carboplatin, with one of the following drugs: vinorelbine. Other chemotherapy drugs may also be used. Your doctor or nurse will give you more information.

What problems does lung cancer cause?

of people with advanced lung cancer. It can also cause the buildup of fluid around the lungs, called a pleural effusion. This may result in pain and shortness of breath. Large tumors or pleural effusions may compress the lungs, decrease lung function, and increase your risk of pneumonia. Pneumonia symptoms include cough, chest pain, and fever.

Is lung cancer life threatening?

Since lung cancer tends to spread or metastasize very early after it forms, it is a very life-threatening cancer and one of the most difficult cancers to treat. While lung cancer can spread to any organ in the body, certain locations -- particularly the adrenal glands, liver, brain, and bones -- are the most common sites for lung cancer metastasis.

What are the three stages of lung cancer?

Yours may use the TNM system and numbers to stage your cancer in each of these:

• Occult stage: Cancer cells can be picked up in the mucus you cough up. ...
• Stage 0: Your tumor is very small. ...
• Stage I (“stage 1”): Cancer is in your lung tissues but not your lymph nodes.
• Stage II (“stage 2”): The disease may have spread to your lymph nodes near your lungs.

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What are the other types of lung cancer?

Other lung tumors: Other types of lung cancer such as adenoid cystic carcinomas, lymphomas, and sarcomas, as well as benign lung tumors such as hamartomas are rare.

Why are NSCLC subtypes grouped together?

These subtypes, which start from different types of lung cells are grouped together as NSCLC because their treatment and prognoses (outlook) are often similar. Adenocarcinoma: Adenocarcinomas start in the cells that would normally secrete substances such as mucus.

What is a large cell carcinoma?

A subtype of large cell carcinoma, known as large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma, is a fast-growing cancer that is very similar to small cell lung cancer. Other subtypes: A few other subtypes of NSCLC, such as adenosquamous carcinoma and sarcomatoid carcinoma, are much less common.

Why is the left lung smaller than the right?

The left lung is smaller because the heart takes up more room on that side of the body. When you breathe in, air enters through your mouth or nose and goes into your lungs through the trachea (windpipe). The trachea divides into tubes called bronchi, which enter the lungs and divide into smaller bronchi.

How many people with SCLC have cancer?

About 70% of people with SCLC will have cancer that has already spread at the time they are diagnosed. Since this cancer grows quickly, it tends to respond well to chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Unfortunately, for most people, the cancer will return at some point.

What is the function of the alveoli?

The alveoli absorb oxygen into your blood from the inhaled air and remove carbon dioxide from the blood when you exhale. Taking in oxygen and getting rid of carbon dioxide are your lungs’ main functions. Lung cancers typically start in the cells lining the bronchi and parts ...

Where does lung cancer start?

Lung cancers typically start in the cells lining the bronchi and parts of the lung such as the bronchioles or alveoli. A thin lining layer called the pleura surrounds the lungs. The pleura protects your lungs and helps them slide back and forth against the chest wall as they expand and contract during breathing.

What happens to the alveoli when you inhale?

As the lungs are compressed and distended by the respiratory muscles, the pressure within the alveoli (intra-alveolar pressure) rises and falls. During inhalation the pressure becomes slightly negative (−3 mm Hg) in relation to atmospheric pressure. During exhalation the intra-alveolar pressure rises to approximately +3 mm Hg. The effect of negative pressure within the alveoli is to cause air under atmospheric pressure to flow into the lungs (inhalation). The condition of positive pressure creates the opposite effect, causing air to flow outward (exhalation).

How many lobes are there in the lungs?

The lungs are divided into lobes, the left lung having two (the left upper lobe and the left lower lobe) and the right having three (the right upper lobe, the right middle lobe, and the right lower lobe); these are further subdivided into bronchopulmonary segments, of which there are about 20.

How long do people live after a lung tumor diagnosis?

Survival after diagnosis is poor: only one of seven patients lives for 5 years. However, if detected early (before spreading from the lungs), survival rates rise for most people. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a promising therapy for patients with small lung tumors. Synonym: bronchogenic carcinoma See: illustration.

What are the lungs made of?

The lungs are made of elastic tissue filled with interlacing networks of tubes and sacs carrying air, and with blood vessels carrying blood. The bronchi, which bring air to the lungs, branch out within the lungs into many smaller tubes, the bronchioles, which culminate in clusters of tiny air sacs called alveoli, whose total runs into millions. The alveoli are surrounded by a network of capillaries. Through the thin membranes of the capillaries, the air and blood make their exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide.

Why is lung cancer staging important?

Lung cancer is relatively difficult to cure but much easier to prevent. Children and adolescents should be discouraged from smoking tobacco products, and current smokers should be assisted in their efforts to quit, e.g., through referrals to local branches of the ACS, smoking-cessation programs, individual counseling, or group therapy.

How do lungs get inflated?

The lungs are inflated by action of the diaphragm and the intercostal muscles. The diaphragm, a large dome-shaped muscle, forms the bottom of the thoracic cage. As it contracts it flattens, increasing the diameter of the thorax and elevating the lower ribs.

Can a lung abscess be a complication of a drunken person?

It may be a complication of pneumonia or tuberculosis. A lung abscess may also follow a period of excessive drinking by an alcoholic. Infected matter that has been aspirated (usually in a drunken stupor) may lodge in a bronchiole and produce inflammation. Lung cancer may also be responsible for formation of an abscess.

How to prevent lung cancer in children?

Don't smoke. If you've never smoked, don't start. Talk to your children about not smoking so that they can understand how to avoid this major risk factor for lung cancer. Begin conversations about the dangers of smoking with your children early so that they know how to react to peer pressure.

What are the two types of lung cancer?

Your doctor makes treatment decisions based on which major type of lung cancer you have. The two general types of lung cancer include: Small cell lung cancer.

How to reduce the risk of lung cancer?

Eat a diet full of fruits and vegetables. Choose a healthy diet with a variety of fruits and vegetables. Food sources of vitamins and nutrients are best. Avoid taking large doses of vitamins in pill form, as they may be harmful. For instance, researchers hoping to reduce the risk of lung cancer in heavy smokers gave them beta carotene supplements. Results showed the supplements actually increased the risk of cancer in smokers.

What causes pain in the lining of the lung?

Pain. Advanced lung cancer that spreads to the lining of a lung or to another area of the body, such as a bone, can cause pain. Tell your doctor if you experience pain, as many treatments are available to control pain. Fluid in the chest (pleural effusion).

What are the risk factors for lung cancer?

Risk factors for lung cancer include: Smoking. Your risk of lung cancer increases with the number of cigarettes you smoke each day and the number of years you have smoked. Quitting at any age can significantly lower your risk of developing lung cancer.

What is lung cancer?

Lung cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the lungs. Your lungs are two spongy organs in your chest that take in oxygen when you inhale and release carbon dioxide when you exhale. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. People who smoke have the greatest risk of lung cancer, though lung cancer can also occur in people who ...

How to protect yourself from carcinogens?

Avoid carcinogens at work. Take precautions to protect yourself from exposure to toxic chemicals at work. Follow your employer's precautions. For instance, if you're given a face mask for protection, always wear it. Ask your doctor what more you can do to protect yourself at work. Your risk of lung damage from workplace carcinogens increases if you smoke.

What is a bone scan?

Bone scan. A small, safe amount of radioactive substance is put into the vein. This substance builds up in areas of bone that may not be normal because of cancer. These areas show up as dense, gray to black areas, called "hot spots.". These areas may indicate cancer.

What is the tube that is passed through the mouth called?

Bronchoscopy. A lighted, flexible tube (called a bronchoscope) is passed through the mouth or nose and into the large airways of the lungs. This test can help the doctor see tumors, or it can be used to take samples of tissue or fluids to see if cancer cells are present. Learn more about bronchoscopy.

What is a biomarker?

A molecule found in the body that is a sign of a normal or abnormal process, or of a condition or disease. Biomarker testing can provide important information about treatment options.

What is a medical document?

A legal document that tells the doctor and family what a person wants for future medical care should the person later become unable to make decisions for him or herself.

How long do people live with cancer?

Cancer statistics often use an overall five-year survival rate. If the overall five-year survival rate of a certain cancer is 80 percent, that means that of all people diagnosed with that cancer, 80 of every 100 were living five years after diagnosis.

Where is adenocarcinoma found?

Adenocarcinoma. A form of non-small cell lung cancer often found in an outer area of the lung. It develops in the cells of epithelial tissues, which line the cavities and surfaces of the body and form glands.

Where are cancer cells found?

Cancer cells are found only in the innermost lining of the lung. The tumor has not grown through the lining.

How many lung cancers are cured?

Lung cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer. Since the majority of lung cancer is diagnosed at a relatively late stage, only 10% of all lung cancer patients are ultimately cured. Eight out of 10 lung cancers are due to tobacco smoke.

Can lung cancer be diagnosed by sputum?

Persistent cough and bloody sputum can be symptoms of lung cancer. Lung cancer can be diagnosed based on examination of sputum, or tissue examination with biopsy using bronchoscopy, needle through the chest wall, or surgical excision. CONTINUE SCROLLING OR CLICK HERE.

What Now?

In many cases, it can develop as a result of exposure to hazardous materials that should never have been around in the first place. In this situation, the patient may be sick as a result of corporate negligence.

What percentage of lung cancer is caused by cigarettes?

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) makes up about 20 percent of lung cancer diagnoses. This cell type is almost always caused by the carcinogens found in cigarettes. The common subtypes of SCLC include:

How many people died from lung cancer in 2018?

Subsequently, lung cancer is now the most common form of cancer in the world, killing an estimated 1.8 million people in 2018. Still, most of the public is unaware of the full extent of the disease, the causes and risk factors, or that there are different types like non-small lung cancer and small cell lung cancer.

What is the second most common cause of lung cancer?

A radioactive gas that is found naturally in soil, radon is the second-highest cause of lung cancer after cigarettes. As an invisible, odorless, and tasteless gas, as many as one out of 15 homes in the U.S. is subject to a lethal amount of radon build-up. Radon is responsible for nearly 21,000 deaths from lung cancer each year.

How many stages of lung cancer are there?

There are four primary stages of lung cancer. While there is some variation depending on the type and subtype, oncologists generally use stages 1, stage 2, stage 3, and stage 4 to determine how far the disease has spread and what treatments would work best. The staging process only occurs after a patient receives a positive diagnosis (i.e. test results indicate the presence of cancer).

What is the result of mutations in the lungs?

Cancer, in any form, is the result of the mutation of healthy cells. This process can sometimes be prevented, but there are multiple factors that can trigger this mutation, including chemical exposure, environmental factors, and substance abuse. Lung cancer is the result of mutations that occur within or on the exterior tissue of the lungs.

What are the causes of lung damage?

Exposure to a number of chemicals and hazardous materials can cause mutations that trigger lung damage. This list includes common minerals that the United States used in the construction of buildings and products leading up to the 1980s, as well as radioactive materials that would not typically be used by the public. Some occupations at risk for harmful exposure include miners, steelworkers, powerplant employees, shipyard crews, longshore and harbor workers, railroad crews, plumbers, and first responders like firefighters to name a few.

What is the name of the immunotherapy drug that is used to treat non-small cell lung cancer?

One type of immunotherapy drug, called “anti-PD-1” has been shown to cause significant tumor regression in a quarter of patients who receive it after a round of chemotherapy.Three immunotherapy drugs—pembrolizumab, atezolizumab and nivolumab—have been approved to treat certain non-small cell lung cancers.

What is neoadjuvant treatment?

Neoadjuvant treatment refers to having radiation or chemotherapy before surgery. Having one or both of these before surgery may help shrink the tumor, as a smaller tumor is easier to take out in surgery. Chemotherapy or radiation soon after surgery is called adjuvant treatment. The goal of adjuvant treatment is to kill any cancer cells ...

What are the different types of lung surgery?

Types of surgery include: 1 Segmental or wedge resection: Removal of only a small part of the lung 2 Lobectomy: Removal of an entire lobe of the lung 3 Pneumonectomy: Removal of an entire lung 4 Sleeve resection: Removal of a piece of bronchus, after which the lung is reattached to the remaining part of the bronchus

What is targeted therapy?

Targeted Therapy. Targeted therapy is like chemotherapy in that it goes throughout the body in search of tumor cells. These are drugs that target specific parts of cancer cells or nearby cells that help them grow. So far, these drugs have only been found to be useful for some non-small cell lung cancers.

What is the treatment for lung cancer?

Depending on its type and stage, lung cancer may be treated with surgery, chemotherapy or other medications, radiation therapy, local treatments such as laser therapy, or a combination of treatments. Combination treatment or multimodality treatment refers to having more than one type of treatment. Treatment for lung cancer includes one or more ...

What is the treatment for cancer after surgery?

Chemotherapy or radiation soon after surgery is called adjuvant treatment. The goal of adjuvant treatment is to kill any cancer cells that may be left after the surgery. Even if there is no sign of cancer cells, your doctor may suggest adjuvant treatment, as it may lower the risk that the cancer will come back or spread.

How does chemotherapy work?

Chemotherapy is given through an IV infusion, in most cases. chemotherapy works by interfering with the cancer cells’ ability to grow or reproduce.

What does it mean if my report says typical carcinoid or atypical carcinoid tumor?

Carcinoid tumors are a special type of tumor. They start from cells of the diffuse neuroendocrine system . This system is made up of cells that are like nerve cells in certain ways and like hormone-making endocrine cells in other ways. These cells do not form an actual organ like the adrenal or thyroid glands. Instead, they are scattered throughout the body in organs like the lungs, stomach, and intestines.

What if my report mentions margins?

The margin is the edge or the boundary of the specimen that was removed by the surgeon. It is where the surgeon has sectioned across the lung to remove the tumor.

What does it mean if my report mentions special tests such as CD56, chromogranin, or synaptophysin?

These tests are sometimes used to help see if a lung cancer is a small cell carcinoma (small cell lung cancer). They can also be helpful in diagnosing a typical carcinoid or atypical carcinoid tumor.

What does it mean if my report says that there is metastatic carcinoma to the lung?

Cancers that start in other organs often spread (metastasize) to the lung. Cancers that spread to the lung are still named after where they started — they are not considered lung cancers. For example, if an adenocarcinoma of the colon (colon cancer) spreads to the lung it is still a colon cancer, and not a lung cancer. This is important because chemotherapy for an adenocarcinoma of the lung is different from that used for adenocarcinoma of the colon.

What is the normal structure of the lung?

When you breathe in, air enters through your mouth or nose and goes into your lungs through the trachea (windpipe). The trachea divides into 2 tubes called the bronchi (singular, bronchus), which divide into smaller branches called bronchioles. At the end of the bronchioles are tiny air sacs known as alveoli or acini.

What is carcinoma?

Carcinoma is a type of cancer that starts in the cells that line organs. In the lung, carcinomas can start in the cells that line the inside of the bronchi, bronchioles, and alveoli. Carcinoma is the most common kind of lung cancer. In fact, when someone says they have lung cancer, they usually mean that they have a carcinoma.

What does infiltrating or invasive mean?

Carcinomas can start in the cells that line the inside of the bronchi, bronchioles, or alveoli. If the carcinoma cells are only in the top layer of cells lining these structures, it is called in-situ carcinoma (or carcinoma in situ ). This is considered a pre-cancer.

What is MET?

MET gene amplification means that there are extra copies of the gene MET in the body. Since MET is a growth receptor , having extra copies of the MET gene means that there are extra growth signals being sent to the cancer. Having extra copies of the MET gene is relatively uncommon in lung cancer, but MET amplification is a predictive biomarker for some patients. That means if you a very high number of copies of the MET gene, you might respond better to a MET targeted therapy.

How do you know if you have a MET alteration?

The best way to detect MET exon 14 skipping is through comprehensive next-generation sequencing (NGS). This type of testing places tissue from a patient’s tumor (gathered from a biopsy) in a machine that looks for a large number of possible biomarkers at one time. MET amplification can also be detected through NGS, but in some cases, a special test called FISH may be used to calculate the number of extra MET copies in cancer cells. There may be some situations where a patient can’t undergo the biopsy needed to perform NGS, and so liquid biopsy is recommended. A liquid biopsy can look for certain biomarkers in a patient’s blood. Talk to your doctor to make sure one of these tests was performed.

What is the course of treatment like for someone with a MET alteration?

Standard of care for first-line treatment of MET exon 14 skipping in lung cancer that has spread is a targeted therapy MET inhibitor drug called capmatinib or tepotinib. Other lines of treatment may include clinical trials of other MET inhibitors, immunotherapy with or without chemotherapy, or off-label use of a targeted therapy called crizotinib.

Where can I get support?

Join our free Lung Cancer Survivors online support community on Inspire.

What is the exon 14 of the Met gene?

When the MET protein is no longer needed, there is a protein called CBL that helps break it down. Where CBL joins with MET is encoded by a part of the MET gene called exon 14. Mutations in the MET gene that cause exon 14 to be removed (or skipped) prevent CBL from binding. This allows the MET protein to hang around longer and send growth signals that can promote cancer.

What are the two biomarkers that physicians look for in non-small cell lung cancer?

Extra copies of the MET gene and errors in the MET protein are two biomarkers that physicians look for in non-small cell lung cancer. If you have non-small cell lung cancer, it is important to talk to your doctor about comprehensive biomarker testing to see if you have a biomarker with an approved targeted treatment. To learn more about biomarker testing, visit Lung.org/biomarker-testing .

What cancers have MET alterations?

MET alterations tend to appear most in adenocarcinoma non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but they can also be seen in squamous NSCLC. About 5% of lung cancer patients have MET exon 14 skipping. A lower percentage of patients have MET amplification.

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