Nonsmall Cell Lung Cancer

Non-small cell lung cancer affects 80% of individuals who are diagnosed with lung cancer and it is the least aggressive compared to small cell lung cancer and asbestos or mesothelioma cancer. Non-small cell lung cancer has a slow growth rate. There are three main types of non-small cell lung cancer and the main cause for lung cancer is cigarettes, tobacco and other harmful pollutants.

The types of non-small lung cancer are related to where the cancer begins its growth. Adenocarcinoma begins it growth in the mucus glands and accounts for about 40% of non-small cell lung cancer (cancer.org). It is often found on outer parts of the lung. Squamous cell carcinoma begins its growth is the bronchi tubes (lungcancer.org). Large cell carcinoma is the third type of non-small cell lung cancer and begins its growth in any part of the lung and can be found near the surface of the lung (lungcancer.org). Each type of lung cancer grows at a different rate but treatment paths are similar. Detection of non-small lung cancer is not an easy task.

Symptoms of non-small cell lung cancer can include a persistent cough, chest or back pain, coughing blood, wheezing, fatigue, unexplained weight loss, headaches and/or loss of appetite (lungcancer.com). To detect, non-small cell lung cancer tests are needed such as x-ray, CAT scan, PET scan, lab tests, and/or a type of biopsy. Tests should be able to tell what stage the cancer is in, how large and the location of the cancer (webmd.com).

There are four stages of non-small cell lung cancer and what stage the cancer is in depends on the size and location of the malignant cells. Treatment also varies depending on what stage the cancer is in. Stage I is when the tumor is only found in the lung. Stage II the tumor has spread to the lymph nodes (lungcancer.org). Treatment for stages one and two include surgery. There is a great chance the cancer can be removed in the first two stages of non-small cell lung cancer. Radiation and chemotherapy increase the chance of killing any reaming cells (webmd.com).

Stage III of non-small cell lung cancer is when the cancerous cells has spread to the tracheal area, the lymph nodes in the opposite lung or the neck. Stage IV is when the tumors have spread to other parts of the body beyond the chest area (lungcancer.org). Treatment for stages III and IV are more intense than stage I and II. Surgery, radiation and chemotherapies are the main treatments for non-small lung cancer and are used alone or in any combination depending on the prognosis of the disease. Treatments can prolong life and sometimes the cancer is removed. There is always a chance that the cancer cell will return.

Stage I cancer, that does not attack the lymph nodes has a greater chance of survival of five or more years with a surgical removal of the cancer. The chance is 43-64%. Stage II non-small lung cancer when treated with surgery has a five year survival rate of 20-40%. This rate declines greatly if the cancer attacks the lymph nodes, tracheal area or the neck and if there is a need for chemo and radio therapies. It declines to a rate of 7-17% chance of five-year survival. Stage IV has a five-year survival rate of 2% with treatment (webmd.com). New treatments and clinical trials are currently being examined to help fight cancerous cells better.