as of November 21, 2009
Lung Cancer Corner
OVERVIEW
Lung cancer is cancer that begins in the lungs, the two organs found in the chest that help you breathe.
There are two main types of lung cancer:
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common type of lung cancer.
Small cell lung cancer makes up about 20% of all lung cancer cases.
If the lung cancer is made up of both types, it is called mixed small cell/large cell cancer.
If the cancer started somewhere else in the body and spread to the lungs, it is called metastatic cancer to the lung.
CAUSES/RISK FACTORS
Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer. The more cigarettes you smoke per day and the earlier you started smoking, the greater your risk of lung cancer. There is no evidence that smoking low-tar cigarettes lowers the risk. However, lung cancer has occurred in people who have never smoked.
Secondhand smoke (breathing the smoke of others) increases your risk of lung cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 3,000 non-smoking adults will die each year from lung cancer related to breathing secondhand smoke.
The following may also increase one's risk of lung cancer:
-High levels of air pollution
-High levels of arsenic in drinking water
-Radon gas
-Asbestos
-Family history of lung cancer
-Radiation therapy to the lungs
-Exposure to cancer-causing chemicals such as uranium, beryllium, vinyl chloride, nickel chromates, coal products, mustard gas, chloromethyl ethers, gasoline, and diesel exhaust
SYMPTOMS
Early lung cancer may not cause any symptoms. Many times, lung cancer is found when an x-ray is done for another reason.
Symptoms depend on the specific type of cancer you have, but may include:
-Cough that doesn't go away
-Coughing up blood
-Shortness of breath
-Wheezing
-Chest pain
-Loss of appetite
-Losing weight without trying
-Fatigue
Additional symptoms that may also occur with lung cancer:
-Weakness
-Swallowing difficulty
-Nail problems
-Joint pain
-Hoarseness or changing voice
-Swelling of the face
-Facial paralysis
-Eyelid drooping
-Bone pain or tenderness
These symptoms can also be due to other, less serious conditions, so it is important to talk to your health care provider.
CARE/TREATMENT
There are many different types of treatment for non-small cell lung cancer:
-Surgery - part or all of the lung is removed
-Radiation therapy - uses powerful x-rays or other radiation to kill cancer -cells
-Chemotherapy - uses drugs to kill cancer cells and stop new ones from growing
-Laser therapy - a small beam of light burns and kills cancer cells
-Photodynamic therapy - uses a light to activate a drug in the body, which kills cancer cells
-Watchful waiting - in rare cases, the person may only be monitored until symptoms change
-Treatment depends upon the stage of the cancer
Because small cell lung cancer spreads quickly throughout the body, treatment must include cancer-killing drugs (chemotherapy) taken by mouth or injected into the body. Chemotherapy may be combined with high-powered x-rays (radiation therapy).
Surgery is rarely used to treat small cell lung cancer. It is only considered if it is limited small cell lung cancer with only one tumor that hasn't spread. Chemotherapy or radiation will be needed after surgery. However, because the disease has usually spread by the time it is diagnosed, very few patients with small cell lung cancer are candidates for surgery.
PREVENTION
If you smoke, stop smoking. It's never too early to quit. Try to avoid secondhand smoke.
Routine screening for lung cancer is not recommended. Many studies have been done to look at the idea, but scientists have concluded that, at this time, screening would not help improve a person’s chance for a cure.
Real Stories, Expert Advice
Health Corner Videos: Lung Cancer
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Resources
American Lung Associatio
National Cancer Institute
LungCancer.org
MedlinePlus: Lung Cancer
In the News: Lung Cancer
ASCO Releases Updated Treatment Guidelines For Patients With Stage 4 Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Tue, 17 Nov 2009 03:00:00 PST
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171133.php
New recommendations on the use of chemotherapy to treat patients with stage 4 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) were issued today by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). The evidence-based clinical practice guideline indicates a patient's physical age should not determine the cancer treatment he/she is given.
Poniard Pharmaceuticals Announces Pivotal Phase 3 SPEAR Trial Of Picoplatin In Small Cell Lung Cancer Did Not Meet Primary Endpoint
Tue, 17 Nov 2009 01:00:00 PST
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/171105.php
Poniard Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: PARD) announced that its pivotal Phase 3 SPEAR (Study of Picoplatin Efficacy After Relapse) trial of picoplatin in the second-line treatment of small cell lung cancer (SCLC) did not meet its primary endpoint of overall survival. The analysis, based on 320 evaluable events (patient deaths), showed a hazard ratio of 0.82 with a p value of 0.089. "We are disappointed that the trial did not meet the primary endpoint.