Small Cell Lung Cancer & Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
- Day Lee
- Aug 16, 2023
- 3 min read
Introduction
It is infrequent to find children diagnosed with lung cancer because the cause of it is primarily an accumulation of carcinogens, substances capable of causing cancer in our bodies. The American Cancer Society says that the average age of people when the cancer is discovered is about 70, but the young could also have lung cancer, due to genetic changes. Though we have not found the reason for genetic changes and cannot control how genes act, we can now treat the patients and increase their survival rate.
What is Lung Cancer?
The lungs are spongy organs that absorb oxygen and discharge carbon dioxide through the alveolus. From the definition of a lung, we know why smoking is the most common cause of lung cancer. Many people have misconceptions that lung cancer is one disease, but there are different types. The two main types of lung cancer are small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC) and each type has different characteristics for stages, speed, location, and treatment.
SCLC is classified by limited-stages and extensive-stages. NSCLC has occult(hidden) stages and stages 0 to IV. 10-15% of all lung cancer patients have SCLC, and 80-85% of these patients have NSCLC. While SCLC proliferates and metastasizes, NSCLC slowly gets more extensive. Due to this difference in growth rate, SCLC is more aggressive than NSCLC. We can treat NSCLC through target therapy, photodynamic therapy, cryosurgery, or electrocautery. Both types use chemotherapy and radiation. Chemotherapy tries to kill cancer cells with drugs, and radiation does the same action with high doses of radiation. The overuse of radiation can cause lung cancers because high doses of X-rays destroy rapidly dividing cells.
Symptoms
Since the main reason for lung cancer is smoking, the symptoms of it are similar to those of smokers. The sooner you find it, the more you will likely get treatments and overcome it. The following symptoms are things to look out for to determine if cancer screening is necessary..
Chronic, dry coughs (often with blood)
Chest pain or discomfort (occurs while breathing)
Wheezing
Weight loss
Fatigue
Appetite loss
Hoarseness: a change to a weak, scratchy, or husky voice
Sudden Swelling of lymph nodes: enlargement of immune system glands
Causation
Lung cancer is caused by various reasons, such as secondhand smoke, radon, asbestos, air pollution, arsenic in drinking water, radiation therapy to the lungs, or family history.
U.S. Researchers reported 7,000 lung cancer deaths yearly because of secondhand smoke. I understand that smoking is extremely challenging to quit. Some researchers are suggesting the possibility of third-hand smoke, an invisible film of nicotine and chemicals that may be on the surfaces of objects.
The “State of the Air” 2022 report reveals that more than 40% of Americans are in a crisis of air pollution. This issue is more severe in Asia; 92% in the Asia and Pacific region experience threats to their lung health. Researches done in California and South Korea point out that the higher the polluted areas are, the higher possibility of developing lung cancer.
Conclusion
The National Cancer Institute shows a decrease in the death rate of lung and bronchus cancer in death rate per 100,000 persons and an increase in 5-year relative survival. If you or someone you know seems at a loss for hope, encourage them to read Dave Pelzer’s excellent quote; “You can be a victim of cancer, or a survivor of cancer. It’s a mindset.” Encourage strong beliefs and lead them to the mindset of a cancer survivor.
References
https://www.nfcr.org/blog/small-cell-lung-cancer-vs-non-small-cell-lung-cancer-whats-the-difference/
Yorumlar