Lung cancer is the result of the formation of malignant cells in lung tissue, usually in the cells of the respiratory tract. The cells of our body are constantly multiply and divide. There is usually an orderly pattern to reproduce the cells grow and specialize to meet certain needs. However, sometimes a cell is damaged. It is a mutation in the DNA, and rather than maturing and dying is normal, it will reproduce disabled. In essence, what the cancer – uncontrolled reproduction and growth of abnormal cells in the body.

Most lung cancers are thought

start in the epithelium of the lungs – the linings of the respiratory tract, large and small performing the task of extracting oxygen from the air. For this reason, cancer, lung cancer is sometimes called – cancer of the bronchi. A small percentage of lung cancer begins in the pleura – the thin cloth bag that surrounds the lungs. These cancers are called mesothelioma. The most common form of mesothelioma is asbestos.

Lung cancer is one of the deadliest forms of cancer. While it can develop a number of years, cancer often goes undetected until the end. He also tends to metastasize (migrate to other parts of the body) early, so that fight fewer opportunities to protest at the mutated cells with surgery or radiotherapy. For metastatic lung cancer, it spreads rapidly to the organs most vulnerable and important body, especially the adrenal glands, liver, brain and bone.

There are two major forms of cancer – small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Small Cell Lung Cancer is rare, but much more deadly. It is directly related to cigarette smoking – less than 1% of SCLC is found in non-smokers. It is also very aggressive and quickly spread to other organs rapidly and often unknown until it is already widespread.

Non-small cell lung carcinoma, on the other hand, is much more frequently, which diagnosed almost 80% of all lung cancer cases. There are three main types of lung cancer in non-small, usually on the size, shape and chemical composition characterized by cancer cells that form:

Squamous Cell Carcinoma (also known as squamous cell carcinoma) is over 25% – 30% of all lung cancer cases and is associated with smoking history. This cancer is almost always found in the central region of the chest, near the bronchus.

adenocarcinoma (also called bronchioloalveolar carcinoma) represents about 40% of all lung cancer cases and in the outer region of the lung is removed. The treatment of this form of lung cancer often leads to a result more effective than other lung cancer.

large cell undifferentiated carcinoma: representing only 10% – 15% of lung cancer can occur in any portion of this form of the lung. It tends to spread quickly and often leads to poor prognosis.

It is also possible for lung cancer with a combination of non-small cell lung cancer types.

There are other less common types of lung cancer. For instance, bronchial carcinoids, small tumors are common in people under 40. They tend to develop slowly, and a treatment available. Carcinoid tumors make up about 5% of lung tumors. Some are not malicious. The others are usually slow growing and can be successfully treated by surgery.

Finally, some types of cancer found in the lungs are not lung cancer at all. Since the lungs are prone to metastatic cancers from other sites, it is not unusual to find that tumors from other primary tumors on the way into the lungs. If this happens, the tumors are often detected in the peripheral tissues of the lung tissue as a key.

Please note that

provided the information in this article, for information only. It should not be during a medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment used for lung cancer. Such situations should always use the expertise of a physician or health care provider.


Lung Cancer