Deborah Heart and Lung Center-Pulmonary

What Causes Lung Cancer?
Cigarette smoking is the number one cause of lung cancer.The risk of developing lung cancer increases with the number of cigarettes smoked and the length of time spent smoking. The risk decreases each year after smoking has ceased. Other causes of lung cancer include exposure to radon, asbestos, uranium and arsenic.

Different Types of Lung Cancer
There are two major types of lung cancer: Small cell lung cancer accounts for approximately 25 percent of all lung cancers and exhibits rapid cell growth and spread. It is treated primarily with chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Non-small cell cancer is much more common, accounting for 75 percent of all lung cancers and is treated primarily with surgery and radiotherapy. Non-small cell lung cancers consist of three major types: squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma and large cell carcinoma. Of these three, squamous cell cancer is more responsive to radiation therapy.

How is Lung Cancer Treated?
Surgery remains the treatment of choice. Prompt evaluation and diagnosis is encouraged for individuals with abnormal symptoms. Other types of treatment include chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Nowadays, tumors can be precisely targeted with radiation.

How Does Lung Cancer Spread to Other Parts of the Body?
Cancer cells divide without control or order. They can invade and destroy the tissue around them, break away from a malignant tumor and enter the bloodstream or lymphatic system. This is how cancer spreads from the original tumor other parts of the body.

How Fast Does Cancer Spread?
The rate of lung cancer spread varies greatly with each individual and with cell type. However, tumor growth is typically seen over months rather than days or years.

continued...

How Can I Find Out More?
To find out more information, please contact the Pulmonary Medicine department at Deborah Heart and Lung Center at (609) 893-1200 ext. 5708 or 5364.
If you would like to be evaluated by one of our pulmonary specialists for an abnormal pulmonary symptom, all you need is a telephone referral by your physician. The referral line is 1-800-214-3452. All types of pulmonary conditions are treated.

Lung Cancer

COPD

Are You Interested in Being Contacted for an Appointment?
Questions or Comments? Email Us Here