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Last Updated: Dec 27th, 2006 - 19:07:47 |
It is very sad to read news like this: Dana Reeve, the widow of the late actor Christopher Reeve who got famous for his role in the movie "Superman", died Monday night of lung cancer at age 44, according to the Christopher Reeve Foundation.
Dana Reeve, a terrific woman who spent almost all her time taking care of her disabled husband, was diagnosed with the disease last August less than a year after her husband's death. She had not smoked for her entire life, and it’s unknown how the disease was caused.
We publish below some basics about lung cancer, and we hope our readers can learn something so they can better take care of their health.
Basics about lung cancer
Lung cancer is the deadliest cancer, and one in ten diagnosed with the disease can survive for the next five years after diagnosis, causing up to 3 million deaths annually. It kills more people than any other cancer, accounting for 28 percent of all cancer deaths each year. Lung cancer accounts for 14 percent of new cancer cases.
During the 1990s, lung cancer incidence and death rates declined among males of all racial and ethnic groups except American Indians/Alaska Natives. During 1990 to 1996, male lung cancer incidence rates decreased on average 2.6 percent per year, largely due to the decreased active smoking and exposure to environmental tobacco smoke.
However, lung cancer incidence and death rates increased among women, even though the rate of increase has slowed in recent years. Among females during the 1990s, the average annual percent increase was 0.1 percent per year for incidence and 1.4 percent for mortality.
Smoking is believed to attribute to 90 percent of lung cancer cases in men and 80 percent in women. The prevalence of cigarette smoking among adults has declined over the past 25 years, but this trend has stalled during the past four to five years. Experts warn that unless this trend can be reversed, the lung cancer rates that are currently declining may rise again.
Symptoms
Symptoms that suggest lung cancer include dyspnea (shortness of breath), hemoptysis (coughing up blood), chronic cough, wheezing, chest pain, cachexia (weight loss), fatigue and loss of appetite, dysphonia (hoarse voice), and clubbing of the fingernails (uncommon).
If the cancer grows into the lumen it may obstruct the airway, causing breathing difficulties. This can lead to accumulation of secretions behind the blockage, predisposing the patient to pneumonia.
Many lung cancers have a rich blood supply. The surface of the cancer may be fragile, leading to bleeding from the cancer into the airway. This blood may subsequently be coughed up.
Depending on the type of tumor, so-called paraneoplastic phenomena may initially attract attention to the disease. In lung cancer, this may be Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (muscle weakness due to auto-antibodies), hypercalcemia and SIADH. Tumors in the top (apex) of the lung, known as Pancoast tumors, may invade the local part of the sympathetic nervous system, leading to changed sweating patterns and eye muscle problems (a combination known as Horner's syndrome), as well as muscle weakness in the hands due to invasion of the brachial plexus.
In many patients, the cancer has already spread beyond the original site by the time they have symptoms and seek medical attention. Common sites of metastasis include the bone, such as the spine (causing back pain and occasionally spinal cord compression) and the brain.
Diagnosis
Performing a chest X-ray is the first step if a patient reports symptoms that may be suggestive of lung cancer. This may reveal an obvious mass, widening of the mediastinum (suggestive of spread to lymph nodes there), atelectasis (collapse), consolidation (infection) and pleural effusion. If there are no X-ray findings but the suspicion is high (e.g. a heavy smoker with blood-stained sputum), bronchoscopy and/or a CT scan may provide the necessary information. In any case, bronchoscopy or CT-guided biopsy is often necessary to identify the tumor type.
If investigations have confirmed lung cancer, scan results and often positron emission tomography (PET) are used to determine whether the disease is localised and amenable to surgery or whether it has spread to the point it cannot be cured surgically. PET is not useful as screening, as not all malignancies are positive on PET scan (such as bronchoalveolar carcinoma), and lung infections may be positive on PET Scan.
Blood tests and spirometry (lung function testing) are also necessary to assess whether the patient is well enough to be operated on. If spirometry reveals a very poor respiratory reserve, as may occur in chronic smokers, surgery may be contraindicated.
Types of lung cancer
There are two main types of lung cancer categorized by the size and appearance of the malignant cells seen by a histopathologist under a microscope: small-cell (roughly 20%) and non-small cell (80%) lung cancer. This classification although based on simple pathomorphological criteria has very important implications for clinical management and prognosis of the disease.
Non-small cell lung cancer
The non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC) are grouped together because their prognosis and management is roughly identical. When it cannot be subtyped, it is frequently coded to 8046/3. The subtypes are:
Large cell carcinoma is a fast-growing form that grows near the surface of the lung. It is primarily a diagnosis of exclusion, and when more investigation is done, it is usually reclassified to squamous cell carcinoma or adenocarcinoma.
Small cell lung cancer
(M8041/3) Small cell carcinoma (SCLC, also called "oat cell carcinoma") is the less common form of lung cancer. It tends to start in the larger breathing tubes and grows rapidly becoming quite large. The oncogene most commonly involved is L-myc. The "oat" cell contains dense neurosecretory granules which give this an endocrine/paraneoplastic syndrome association. It is more sensitive to chemotherapy, but carries a worse prognosis and is often metastatic at presentation. This type of lung cancer is strongly associated with smoking.
Other types
(M8240/3) carcinoid (the main representatives in this group)
(M8200/3) adenoid cystic carcinoma
cylindroma
mucoepidermoid carcinoma
Metastatic
The lung is a common place for metastasis from tumors in other parts of the body. These cancers, however, are identified by the site of origin, i.e., a breast cancer metastasis to the lung is still known as breast cancer. The adrenal glands, liver, brain, and bone are the most common sites of metastasis from primary lung cancer itself.
Causes
Exposure to carcinogens, such as those present in tobacco smoke, immediately causes cumulative changes to the tissue lining the bronchi of the lungs (the bronchial mucous membrane) and more tissue gets damaged until a tumour develops.
There are four major causes of lung cancer (and, actually, cancer in general):
Carcinogens such as those in cigarette smoke
Radiation exposure
Genetic susceptibility
Viral infection
The role of smoking
Smoking, particularly of cigarettes, is believed to be by far the main cause of lung cancer, which at least in theory makes it one of the easiest diseases to prevent. In the United States, smoking is estimated to account for 87% of lung cancer cases in the U.S. (90% in men and 79% in women). There are hundreds of known carcinogens—such as polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons, nitrosamines, and radioactive heavy metals—present in cigarette smoke. Additionally, nicotine appears to depress the immune response to malignant growths in exposed tissue. The length of time a person continues to smoke as well as the amount smoked increases the person's chances of contracting lung cancer. If a person stops smoking, these chances steadily decrease as the lung damage is repaired.
Passive smoking—the inhalation of smoke from another's smoking—has recently been identified as a much larger cause of lung cancer in non-smokers than previously believed. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1993 concluded that about 3,000 lung cancer-related deaths a year were caused by passive smoking, however since this report was declared null and void by a federal judge in 1998, the true extent is still contested by scientists.
Asbestos
Asbestos can cause a variety of lung diseases. It increases the risk of developing lung cancer. There is a synergistic effect between tobacco smoking and asbestos in the formation of lung cancer.
Asbestos can also cause cancer of the pleura, called mesothelioma (which is distinct from lung cancer).
Radon gas
Radon is a colorless and odourless gas generated by the breakdown of radioactive radium, which in turn is the decayed product of uranium, found in the earth's crust. Radon exposure is the second major cause of lung cancer after smoking. The radiation ionizes genetic material, causing mutations that sometimes turn cancerous. Radon gas levels vary by locality and the composition of the underlying soil and rocks. For example, in areas such as Cornwall in the UK (which has granite as substrata), radon gas is a major problem, and buildings have to be force-ventilated with fans to lower radon gas concentrations. In the US, the EPA estimates that one in 15 homes has radon levels above the recommended standard.
Genetics and viruses
Oncogenes are genes that are believed make people more susceptible to cancer. Proto-oncogenes are believed to turn into oncogenes when exposed to particular carcinogens. Viruses are also suspected of causing cancer in humans, as this link has already been proven in animals. Genetic susceptibility and viral infection are not of major importance in lung cancer, but they may influence pathogenesis.
Treatment
Treatment for lung cancer depends on the cancer's specific form, how far it has spread, and other factors such as the patient's age and general medical state. Common treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.
Surgery
Surgery is only an option in NSCLC and if the disease is limited to one lobe and has not spread beyond its confines. This is assessed with medical imaging (computed tomography, positron emission tomography). Furthermore, as stated, a sufficient respiratory reserve needs to be present to allow for the removal of large amounts of lung tissue. Procedures performed include lobectomy (removal of one lobe), bilobectomy (two lobes) or pneumonectomy (removal of a whole lung).
After surgery, adjuvant chemotherapy is usually recommended to decrease the risk of recurrence. Five-year prognosis is often as good as 70% in limited disease with clear resection margins.
Chemotherapy
Small-cell lung cancer is treated primarily with chemotherapy, as surgery has no demonstrable influence on survival. Primary chemotherapy is also given in metastatic NSCLC.
The combination regimen depends on the tumour type:
NSCLC: cisplatin or carboplatin, in combination with gemcitabine, paclitaxel, docetaxel, etoposide or vinorelbine. In metastatic lung cancer, the addition of bevacizumab when added to carboplatin and paclitaxel was found to improve survival (though in this study, patients with squamous cell lung cancer were excluded because of problems with pulmonary hemorrhage in this group in the past).
SCLC: cisplatin or carboplatin, in combination etoposide or ifosfamide; combinations with gemcitabine, paclitaxel, vinorelbine, topotecan and irinotecan are being studied
Targeted therapy
In recent years, various molecular targeted therapies have been developed for the treatment of advanced lung cancer. Gefitinib (Iressa®) is one such drug, which targets the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R) which is expressed in many cases of NSCLC. However despite an exciting start it was not shown to increase survival, although younger females without a smoking history appear to be deriving most benefit from gefitinib.
A newer drug called erlotinib (Tarceva®) has been shown to increase survival in lung cancer patients and has recently been approved by the FDA for second-line treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer.[1]
Treatment of non-small cell lung cancer is evolving and the next few years could present exciting developments and new targeted therapies for lung cancer.
Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy is often given together with chemotherapy, and may be used with curative intent in patients who are not eligible for surgery. A radiation dose of 40 or more Gy in many fractions is commonly used with curative intent in non-small cell lung cancer; typically in North America, the dose prescribed is 60 or 66 Gy in 30 to 33 fractions given once daily, 5 days a week, for 6 to 6 1/2 weeks. For small cell lung cancer cases that are potentially curable, in addition to chemotherapy, chest radiation is often recommended. For these small cell lung cancer cases, chest radiation doses of 40 Gy or more in many fractions are commonly given; typically in North America, the dose prescribed is 45 to 50 Gy and can be given in either once daily treatments for 5 weeks or twice daily treatments for 3 weeks.
For both non-small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer patients, radiation of disease in the chest to smaller doses (typically 20 Gy in 5 fractions) may be used for symptom control.
Interventional radiology
Radiofrequency ablation is increasing in popularity for this condition as it is nontoxic and causes very little pain. It seems especially effective when combined with chemotherapy as it catches the cells inside a tumor—the ones difficult to get with chemotherapy due to reduced blood supply to the inside of the tumor. It is done by inserting a small heat probe into the tumor to cook the tumor cells. The body then disposes of the cooked cells through its normal eliminative processes.
Epidemiology
Lung cancer distribution in the United States.The population segment most likely to develop lung cancer is the over-fifties who also have a history of smoking. Lung cancer is the second most commonly occurring form of cancer in most western countries, and it is the leading cancer-related cause of death for men and women. It is expected that 2001 will have seen 169,500 new cases of lung cancer in the US; 90,700 in men and 78,000 in women. Although the rate of men dying from lung cancer is declining in western countries, it is actually increasing for women due to the increased takeup of smoking by this group.
The British Doctors Study, published in the 1950s, first offered solid evidence on the link between lung cancer and smoking.
Not all cases of lung cancer are due to smoking, but the role of passive smoking is increasingly being recognised as a risk factor for lung cancer, leading to policy interventions to decrease undesired exposure of non-smokers to others' tobacco smoke.
In the Second World and Third World, smoking-related lung cancer is rising rapidly in incidence. Countries such as China are expected to see a marked increase in lung cancer cases as smoking is exceedingly common and other causes of death (such as infections) are becoming less common, revealing an "iceberg" of pulmonary neoplasms. Cheap tobacco products and heavy advertising are seen by health campaigners as a major problem in these countries.
Prevention
Primary prevention
Prevention is the most cost-effective means of fighting lung cancer on the national and global scales. While in most countries industrial and domestic carcinogens have been identified and banned, tobacco smoking is still widespread. Eliminating tobacco smoking is a primary goal in the fight to prevent lung cancer, and smoking cessation is probably the most important preventative tool in this process.
Policy interventions to decrease passive smoking (e.g. in restaurants and workplaces) have become more common in various Western countries, with California taking a lead in banning smoking in public establishments in 1998, and Ireland playing a similar role in Europe in 2004. It should be noted, however, that the evidence linking passive smoking with chronic lung disease is still shaky (see Smoking ban).
Only the Asian state of Bhutan has a complete smoking ban (since 2005). In many countries pressure groups are campaigning for similar bans. Arguments cited against such bans is criminalisation of smoking, increased risk of smuggling and the risk that such a ban cannot be enforced.
Screening and secondary prevention
Because prognosis depends heavily on early detection there have been several attempts at secondary prevention. Regular chest radiography and sputum examination programs were not effective in early detection of this cancer and did not result in a reduction of mortality.
Computerized tomography (CT) scanning is now being actively evaluated as a screening tool for lung cancer, and it is showing promising results. The National Cancer Institute (USA) is currently completing a randomized trial comparing CT scans with chest radiographs. Several single-institution trials are ongoing around the world. A large group of investigators (the International Early Lung Cancer Action Project) are currently collating the results of 26,000 screen-detected lung cancers and are showing excellent preliminary survivals with these patients. More work is needed in this area.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lung_cancer
© 2004-2005 by foodconsumer.org unless otherwise specified
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