Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is a disease in which cancerous cells develop in the tissue of the lungs. It is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among men and women and is also the leading cause of death in Americans.

Anatomy of the Lungs

In order to understand lung cancer better, it is important to be familiar with the lungs and how they function.

Each body has a set of lungs. Lungs are conical in shape and are located in the chest. Lungs bring oxygen into the body when we inhale, and send out carbon dioxide as we exhale.

A thin membrane, called pleura, line our lungs. Pleura acts as a cushion and lubricant to our lungs.

In the lungs you will also find two tubes, called bronchi. Bronchi extend from the windpipe and connect to the right and left lung.

The lungs contain alveoli, tiny air sacs and bronchioles, tiny tubes of air.

Picture of a Lung

Types of Lung Cancer

There are two types of lung cancers: small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer.

Non-small cell lung cancer is the most commonly diagnosed type of cancer. There are many types of non-small lung cancer.

Small cell lung cancer, also referred as oat cell cancer is less common and is generally caused by smoking.

Causes and Risk Factors for Lung Cancer

Considering that lung cancer has the highest rate of of all cancer related deaths, it is important to know the risk factors. There are several known risk factors in lung cancer development such as:

• Smoking and secondhand smoke
  
• Asbestos exposure
  
• Use of beta carotene
  
• Exposure to radon
  Ther

There are other risk factors such as age, sex and race that may play a part in lung cancer development. These risk factors are often called "non-modifiable risk factors" because a person has no control over them.