Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
The most common type of lung cancer, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) affects tens of thousands of people each year.
With three primary types of NSCLC, this disease accounts for about 80% of all lung cancer, the deadliest type of cancer in the U.S. among both men and women. Adenocarcioma, the most common form of NSCLC, typically develops in the outer portion of our lungs. Our lungs remove carbon dioxide from our body and supplies oxygen to it.
Although smoking is the primary cause of lung cancer, other risk factors include exposure to radon gas and asbestos. Previous radiation therapy and a family or personal history of lung cancer also increases your risk.
Lung cancer may not show symptoms in the beginning; however, visit your doctor if you have a persistent cough, shortness of breath, see blood after you cough or have chest pain.
Recently Answered
- Q What is non-small cell lung cancer?
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About 85% to 90% of lung cancers are non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). About 10% to 15% are small cell lung cancer (SCLC), named for the size of the cancer cells when seen under a microscope. There are 3 main subtypes of NSCLC. Squamous cell... Full Answer
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- Q How can I prepare for an appointment for non-small cell lung cancer?
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If you or your doctor thinks you have non-small cell lung cancer, you will need to see an oncologist, which is a doctor who specializes in the treatment of cancer. Before you see the oncologist, make sure to ask about and follow any dietary or other... Full Answer
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- Q What surgeries are used to treat non-small cell lung cancer?
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Surgery for non-small cell lung cancer aims to remove diseased tissue, as well as a portion of the surrounding healthy tissue, to keep lung cancer from returning. Different surgeries may be used. A lobectomy removes an entire lobe of one lung. A wedge... Full Answer
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- Q How do medications treat non-small cell cancer?
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There are currently two major classes of medications for non-small cell cancer - chemotherapy and targeted drug therapy. Chemotherapy is one or more drugs that kill cancer cells given to you through your veins or by mouth. Targeted drug therapy aims to... Full Answer
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- Q Are there alternative treatments for non-small cell cancer?
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Alternative medicine can be used to supplement traditional forms of medicine in the treatment of non-small cell cancer. The goal of alternative medicine in cancer is not to cure the cancer but rather to reduce unpleasant symptoms of cancer and side... Full Answer
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- Q What are the symptoms of non-small cell cancer?
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The symptoms of non-small cell cancer are a cough that does not go away changes to a chronic cough coughing up blood shortness of breath wheezing headaches chest or bone pain loss of appetite unexplained weight loss. Unfortunately, most of the symptoms... Full Answer
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- Q What causes non-small cell cancer?
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The major cause of non-small cell cancer is smoking -- approximately 85% of all lung cancer cases are from smoking. Cigarette smoke contains a lot of cancer-causing chemicals, and smoking brings the chemicals directly to the lungs. Although it is not... Full Answer
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- Q How is non-small cell lung cancer treated?
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The type of treatment you will receive for your non-small cell cancer will be dependent on the stage of cancer you have. Stage I lung cancer is when the cancer has not moved beyond the lung. Treatments for Stage I non-small cell cancer are surgery to... Full Answer
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- Q How is non-small cell cancer diagnosed?
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Non-small cell cancer is diagnosed after a number of increasingly invasive tests. Imaging tests, such as X-rays or CT scans, are generally done first, and they allow the doctor to see lesions within your lungs. Your doctor may also look at the mucus... Full Answer
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- Q Is there a cure for non-small cell cancer?
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Non-small cell cancer can be cured if it is found early enough. Unfortunately, many people will suffer a recurrence, meaning that the cancer will eventually come back. Usually recurrences happen within two years of the cancer being "cured". For this... Full Answer
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