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Lung Cancer
The lungs are sponge-like cone-shaped organs found in the chest. Lungs are an important part of the respiratory system. The right lung has three sections, or lobes, the left side has two. The lungs absorb oxygen as we breathe in. This provides our cells the oxygen they need to live and carry out their normal functions. Carbon dioxide, the waste product of the body’s cells, is exhaled as we breathe out. This way, the lungs keep us healthy.
Lung Cancer
Lung cancer occurs when the DNA, or Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC):
genetic material, found in the lung cell is 
Is more common.
damaged. A change or mutation in one lung 
Grows and spreads more slowly.
cell produces a cancerous cell. The 
More specific names for this type include cancerous cells grow rapidly and multiply squamous cell, adenocarcinoma, or large quickly. These cancerous cells thrive and cell carcinoma.
live longer than healthy lung cells. The accumulation of these fast-growing cells Small cell lung cancer (SCLC):
causes a cancerous tumor to develop. 
Is sometimes called oat cell cancer.

Grows and spreads more quickly.
Lung cancer cells may travel through the blood or lymph system from the original tumor site (primary tumor site) to another area or organ in the body. The cells in the distant tumor are still cancerous lung cells. This is called metastatic lung cancer.
Types of Lung Cancer
Cancers that begin in the lungs are divided Symptoms
Symptoms of lung cancer can be like the symptoms of many other problems. That is why it is so important to see your doctor. Remember, only a doctor can make a diagnosis of lung cancer. Some symptoms include: 
Shortness of breath and non-small cell lung cancer. These names 
Extreme tiredness
refer to how the cancerous cells look under 
Repeated pneumonia or bronchitis
the microscope. Each type of cancer grows 
Coughing up blood
and spreads in its own way. They are also 
Loss of appetite and weight loss
treated differently. 
Hoarseness and voice changes

Wheezing in the lungs
into two major types: small cell lung cancer Less common symptoms include swelling in 
Mediastinoscopy – An instrument is the face or neck and pain in the chest, inserted through a small incision in your shoulder, upper back, or arm.
neck or chest. This allows the doctor to take tissue samples. General anesthesia is Diagnosis
Your doctor will take a medical history and used during this procedure.

perform a physical exam. Other possible inserted through an incision in the chest tests include:

A chest X-ray. 
A CT scan (computerized axial wall. This allows the doctor to examine the lining of the chest wall and the surface of the lungs. General anesthesia is used during the procedure. tomography) - takes 3-dimensionel pictures of structures inside your body. Thoracoscopy – A small instrument is 
VATS (video assisted thoracoscopy) – a These pictures help your doctor second small incision is made during the determine the size, shape, and location of thoracoscopy and a camera is inserted.
the tumor.

An MRI scan (magnetic resonance imaging) – is used to further identify the tumor. These scans may also show whether the tumor has spread to lymph nodes or other parts of the body.

A PET scan (positron emission tomography) - PET scans can tell the difference between cells in your body Some patients will need surgery to remove samples of lung tissue for diagnosis. Tissue may be removed and sent to the pathologist for identification while the patient and
doctor wait in the operating room. Once the pathologist has determined the type of cancer, the doctor can decide on the type of surgery that is needed. that are rapidly dividing, such as cancer Your doctor or nurse will give you special cells, and normal cells. instructions to follow before these procedures. Follow the instructions closely There are several procedures that allow your and be sure to ask any questions you have. doctor to collect samples from the tumor. A pathologist will then examine the sample under a microscope to determine what types of cells are present. This way the doctor can develop treatments based on the cancer’s type and stage. The procedures include:

Bronchoscopy – A lighted, flexible, Treatment
Your doctor will discuss the treatments and their side effects. Each person with lung cancer is unique, and no two treatment plans will be the same. Some treatments must take place in the hospital. Others can be given in the doctor’s office, clinic, or outpatient treatment facility.
tube-like instrument is inserted into the airways. This allows the doctor to see the Surgery may be used to remove the tumor.
tissue and take samples. Local anesthesia 
remove a small tumor.
and mild sedation are used during the procedure to keep you comfortable. A wedge or resection is performed to 
A lobectomy is used when a tumor is larger and a lobe of the lung must be removed. 
A pneumonectomy is removal of a lung.
Radiation therapy is often used to treat lung Follow-up Care
cancer. Regular follow-up care ensures that changes 


Radiation uses high-energy rays to in your health are noted and that recurrent destroy cancer cells.
cancer or other problems can be treated as External radiation comes from a machine soon as possible. For people who have had with rays directed at the tumor site.
treatment for lung cancer, this will include a Radiation may be used in combination variety of tests. Some of these are blood with chemotherapy or surgery.
Chemotherapy is also used to fight lung cancer:

Uses medications to destroy cancer cells.

May be a combination of several tests, CT scans, MRIs, and chest X-rays. Between checkups you should report any health problems to your doctor as soon as they appear.
different medicines.

Medication is given through an IV device directly into the bloodstream or in a pill 
Can be used in combination with surgery and /or radiation.
Rev. 10/07, 8/10, 10/10, 3/13
©Mount Carmel 2013