What Is Lung Cancer? (Cont.)

What Causes Lung Cancer?

Lung cancer research scientists have discovered several causes of lung cancer; the most common involve the use of tobacco.
 
These lung cancer causes may include:
 
  • Cigarettes
  • Cigars and pipes
  • Environmental tobacco smoke
  • Asbestos
  • Radon
  • Lung diseases
  • Pollution
  • Personal history of lung cancer.

 

What Are the Symptoms of Lung Cancer?

Common lung cancer symptoms typically include:
 
  • Coughing
  • Shortness of breath
  • Wheezing
  • Coughing up blood
  • Pain
  • Fever
  • Weight loss.

 

However, 1 in 4 people diagnosed with the disease have no symptoms of lung cancer.

 

How Is Lung Cancer Diagnosed?

In order to make a lung cancer diagnosis, the doctor will ask a number of questions and perform a physical exam looking for signs or symptoms of lung cancer. He or she may also recommend specific tests or procedures.
 
Some of these include:
 
  • Chest x-ray
  • Sputum cytology
  • Lung biopsy.
     

What Are Lung Cancer Stages?

If the doctor makes a lung cancer diagnosis, he or she will want to determine the stage (or extent) of the lung cancer. Lung cancer staging is conducted to find out whether lung cancer has spread and, if so, to what parts of the body. Knowing the stage of lung cancer helps the doctor plan treatment.
 
Each type of lung cancer has different staging criteria.
 
 
  • Occult
  • Stage 0 (carcinoma in situ)
  • Stage I
  • Stage II
  • Stage III
  • Stage IV
  • Recurrent.
     
 
  • Limited-stage small cell lung cancer
  • Extensive-stage small cell lung cancer
  • Recurrent small cell lung cancer.
     
(What Is Lung Cancer? Continued: Page 3)

Pages:

Previous 1 2 3 Next

Add this article to your Favorites     Email this article     Print
Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD