Lung cancer is a disease characterized by uncontrolled cell growth in tissues of the lung.

If left untreated, this growth can spread beyond the lung in a process called metastasis into nearby tissue and, eventually, into other parts of the body. Most cancers that start in lung, known as primary lung cancers, are carcinomas that derive from epithelial cells. The main types of lung cancer are small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC), also called oat cell cancer, and non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). The most common cause of lung cancer is long-term exposure to tobacco smoke.[1] Nonsmokers account for 15% of lung cancer cases,[2] and these cases are often attributed to a combination of genetic factors,[3][4] radon gas,[5] asbestos,[6] and air pollution[7][8][9] including secondhand smoke.[10][11] The most common symptoms are coughing (including coughing up blood), weight loss and shortness of breath.[12] Lung cancer may be seen on chest radiograph and computed tomography (CT scan). The diagnosis is confirmed with a biopsy. This is usually performed by bronchoscopy or CT-guided biopsy. Treatment and prognosis depend on the histological type of cancer, the stage (degree of spread), and the patient's general wellbeing, measured by performance status. Common treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. NSCLC is sometimes treated with surgery, whereas SCLC usually responds better to chemotherapy and radiation therapy. This is partly because SCLC often spreads quite early, and these treatments are generally better at getting to cancer cells that have spread to other parts of the body.[13] SySymptoms

of Lung Cancer

LPulmonary symptoms The symptoms of lung cancer that are clearly and directly related to lung function are: Coughing, the most common symptom, experienced by 74 percent of patients Bloody sputum (phlegm; 57 percent) Shortness of breath (37 percent) Chest pain (25 percent) Hoarseness (18 percent) Paralysis of the diaphragm, either symptomless or perceived as shortness of breath Wheezing or vibrating breathing noises (stridor) Recurrent pneumonia or bronchitis Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)uSy mptoLung cancer, formally called bronchogenic carcinoma, is not one disease, but a collection of diseases that affect the same organ and often cause similar symptoms Symptoms in other organs Non-respiratory symptoms associated with lung cancer might be associated with pressure of a tumor on another organ or with spread of disease (metastasis) outside the lungs or bronchial tubes. The symptoms listed below have been associated with spread of disease in many patients. Unlike the list for pulmonary symptoms, the order of this list is not indicative of frequency of occurrence. In some cases, several of these symptoms might occur together.
1

Tobacco Tobacco use is the leading cause of lung cancer. More than 85% of lung cancers are caused by smoking. To prevent lung and other cancers, do not use tobacco. If you do use tobacco, you can reduce your risk of lung cancer by quitting. Your risk will gradually decrease with time as your lungs recover. Quitting smoking reduces your risk for cancer, and your risk continues to decrease as long as you do not smoke. The benefit of quitting smoking is greater the younger you quit.11 Even cutting down how much you smoke may reduce your risk (but not as much as quitting completely). In one study, cutting in half the number of cigarettes smoked each day significantly reduced the risk of getting lung cancer during a 5- to 10-year period.12 Exercise. Aim for at least 150 minutes a week of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes a week of vigorous aerobic activity. You can also do a combination of moderate and vigorous activity. Check with your doctor first if you aren't already exercising regularly. Start out slowly and continue adding more activity. Biking, swimming and walking are good choices. Add exercise throughout your day park farther away from work and walk the rest of the way or take the stairs rather than the elevator. Strength training is also important. Try to do strength training exercises at least twice a week.