According to the American Cancer Society, over 220,000 new cases of lung cancer (LC) will have been diagnosed throughout 2010. This disease, including both small cell and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), is responsible for more cancer-related deaths than colon and breast cancer combined. Eight in ten diagnosed cases are NSCLC.
Despite the prevalence of the disease, most people know very little about it. They are unable to recognize the symptoms, and often seek medical attention only when the signs become pronounced. This is one of the reasons lung cancer is often diagnosed in its later stages - when surgery is less effective as a cure.
Below, we'll describe how an LC tumor forms, beginning with the first appearance of cancerous cells. You'll also learn about the different types of NSCLC as well as how the cancer cells spread.
How A Tumor Develops In The Lungs
When you breathe, air travels down your windpipe (also known as the trachea). The windpipe separates into two bronchi, and each bronchus is further divided into bronchioles. Each bronchiole ends in a group of air sacs called alveoli. In most cases, lung cancer cells first appear along with inside walls of the bronchi. They do not form a tumor at this point. Nor do they trigger symptoms.
Over time, these cancerous cells are fed by blood vessels, which eventually leads to the formation of a tumor. In the beginning, the mass may be too small to display on x-rays, which makes diagnosing the condition difficult. As the tumor grows, however, it will show up.
Types Of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
This form of the disease is categorized into three distinct groups: large cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and adenocarcinoma. Large cell carcinomas are the least common, making up only 10 to 15 percent of diagnosed NSCLC cases. The cancer cells are large and round, and often appear early in the outer edges of the lungs (though they can start in any area). They metastasize rapidly, which makes treatment difficult.
Squamous cell carcinomas account for one in four cases of NSCLC. They are associated with smoking. Because they tend to develop more slowly than other types of lung cancer, they are often detected earlier, making a surgical cure more viable. While both genders can be affected, the disease tends to show up more commonly in men. This type of non-small cell lung cancer used to be more prevalent than it is today, a circumstance many experts attribute to the widespread use of filtered cigarettes.
Adenocarcinomas are the most prevalent NSCLC; they account for 40 to 50 percent of diagnosed cases. Often found in the lungs of non-smokers, it develops slowly in the outer areas of the lungs. Of the three types of non-small cell lung cancer, adenocarcinomas are the most common type found in patients under 45 years of age. They are also the most common NSCLC found in women. Because this form of cancer develops slowly, it is often diagnosed while still in its early stages.
How Lung Cancer Cells Metastasize
A surgical cure is feasible if it is administered before cancer cells spread - or metastasize - outside the lungs. Metastasis occurs through the lymph system. Lymphatic capillaries form networks of tubes. Larger tubes are known as lymph vessels. They transport lymph fluid, which aids your body's immune system when infection is present. Lung cancer cells that enter this system can spread into the lymph nodes. When this happens, they become much more likely to metastasize to other parts of the body.
Prognosis and treatment of non-small cell lung cancer is determined by the staging of the disease. If it is in stages 1 or 2, surgery is the preferred treatment option. Once NSCLC has reached stage 3A, surgery can be done, but only as adjunct to chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or both. If you suspect you have lung cancer, consult your doctor for a full evaluation.
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