Lung Cancer: A Serial Killer :: Lung Cancer Essays

&8220Lung malignant neoplastic disease is an uncontrolled, extremely deadly division of cells in the lung (World Book, &8220Lung Cancer). The two major types of lung genus Cancer include small and non-small cell. Many different risk factors contribute to lung cancer. There are numerous symptoms that are difficult to detect in the untimely stages of lung cancer. Doctors use special machines to detect the severity of each stage. Treatments and cures differ in each individual case. Lung cancer is a huge problem be arrive it is the leading cause of cancer death in both men and women (Microsoft, &8220Lung Cancer). Both small cell and non-small cell lung cancer affect different types of cells in the lung and spread in different ways. Small cell lung cancer is limited to a section of the chest known as the hemithorax and regional lymph nodes (World Book, &8220Lung Cancer). Small cell lung cancer usually exists early and spreads out abruptly (Virtual Hospital, 3/23/99). Non-small cell l ung cancer is first confined to the lung, then spreads throughout the chest (MSKCC, &8220Lung Cancer). Small cell lung cancer spreads quickly (World Book, &8220Lung Cancer). In the United States 85 to 90 percent of all lung cancer cases are related to smoking. Cigarette smoking is the main cause of lung cancer (Scientific American, &8220Lung Cancer). Second-hand smoke, inhaled by non-smokers, increases a person&8217s chance of acquiring lung cancer (Beau Halton). Men who smoke increase their chance of dying from lung cancer about 23 times and women increase their chances 13 times (&8220Lung Cancer Awareness Campaign, 3/23/99). However, lung cancer may also be caused by long bourn exposure to radon, a naturally present radioactive gas (SIRS, &8220What is Cancer?). The residue of burned petroleum and coal can contribute to lung cancer (Scientific American, &8220Lung Cancer). The knowledge of lung cancer seems to be also affected by genes. The gene histidine triad blocks the formatio n of tumors, so a defective gene could make one to a greater extent likely to form a tumor (Microsoft, &8220Lung Cancer). In the early stages of lung cancer, symptoms are hard to recognize. Symptoms usually include a persistent cough, coughing up blood, exercising weight loss, chest or shoulder pain, swelling in the face or neck, shortness of breath, and a hoarse voice (Microsoft, &8220Lung Cancer). Repeated cases of pneumonia, a virus in which the lungs become inflamed, or bronchitis, inflammation of the mucous membrane of the bronchia tubes, may be warning signs for lung cancer (Scientific American, &8220Lung Cancer).