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What is Lung Cancer - Incidence, Signs, Symptoms, Causation, Prognosis and Treatment

INTRODUCTION Lung cancer may also be the most tragic cancer because in most cases, it might have been prevented, 87% of lung cancer cases are caused by smoking. Lung cancer has long been the most common cause of cancer death in men and since 1987 it has also become the most common cause of cancer death in women. Lung cancer is the second most commonly occurring form of cancer in most western countries and although the lung cancer incidence is less common in developing countries, the rapid increase in the popularity of smoking will see the number of lung cancer sufferers in those countries quickly catch up with the western world. Lung cancers can arise in any part of the lung, and 90%-95% of cancers of the lung are thought to arise from the epithelial, or lining cells of the larger and smaller airways (bronchi and bronchioles); for this reason, lung cancers are sometimes called bronchogenic carcinomas or bronchogenic cancers. The most common type of lung cancers are epidermoid carcinoma...

Lung cancer survival rate - Stage 2 lung cancer

When a person looks for a medical professional about the stage 2 lung cancer, one of the first questions that come to mind is: what is my lung cancer survival rate? This is largely influenced by the medical records showing that lung cancer is one of the lowest chances of survival of cancers in the world. One must realize that these statistics are only numbers and a variety of factors that can affect your chances of being cured. The lung cancer survival rate is affected by several variables. One such variable is age. Younger people tend to have a greater chance of survival for people over 50. This is due to the strong natural defenses younger than the older. Medical records also indicate that women with lung cancer in stage 2 have a greater ability to be cured of their male counterparts the parties. The spread of malignant tumor is a very important factor in determining the survival of lung cancer exchange rate. The tumors may spread from the lung tissu...

Alternative Pain Therapy for Breast, Prostate and Lung Cancer

Alternative Pain Therapy for Breast, Prostate and Lung Cancer MIAMI--(Healthcare Sales & Marketing Network)-- Bio-Nucleonics? lead product Strontium Chloride Sr-89 Injection USP (Strontium-89), which is the generic version of Metastron?, is an option to consider for metastatic cancer bone pain therapy, typically caused by advanced stage breast, prostate or lung cancer. Strontium Chloride Sr-89 Injection USP (Strontium-89) is a radioactive pharmaceutical injection to relieve bone pain in patients with painful skeletal metastases. In the body, Strontium acts similar to calcium and is preferentially taken up in osteoblastic tissue while the unabsorbed isotope is excreted in the urine the first 2 to 3 days following injection, clearing rapidly from the blood and selectively localizing in bone mineral. Uptake of strontium by bone occurs preferentially in sites of active osteogenesis; thus primary bone tumors and areas of metastatic involvement (blastic lesions) can accumulate significa...

Low-dose CT screening reduced lung cancer mortality 20%

Results from the National Lung Screening Trial of more than 50,000 people at high risk for lung cancer showed that patients who undergo screening with helical low-dose CT scanning are less likely to die from lung cancer. NLST compared low-dose CT screening against screening with chest radiography. From August 2002 through September 2007, researchers assigned 26,722 people to CT screening and another 26,732 to radiography. Participants underwent three screenings at 1-year intervals (T0, T1 and T2). Eligible participants were between 55 and 74 years of age at the time of randomization, had a history of cigarette smoking of at least 30 pack-years and, if they were former smokers, had quit within the previous 15 years. Anyone who had been previously diagnosed with lung cancer, undergone chest CT within 18 months before enrollment, had hemoptysis, or had an unexplained weight loss of more than 15 lb in the preceding year were excluded. The disease-specific death rate was 247 per 100,000 pe...

CT scans catch lung cancer earlier

CHICAGO, July 2 (UPI) -- A U.S. study provides evidence that computed tomography significantly reduces the death rate due to lung cancer, compared with a chest X-ray, researchers say. The National Lung Screening Trial shows 20 percent fewer lung cancer deaths among trial participants who had the CT scan compared with those who had the chest X-ray. Dr. Eric M. Hart, a radiologist and the NLST Site principal investigator at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, says until now, no screening test for lung cancer has proven effective in detecting tumors at an early, more treatable stage. During the study period, more than 400 individuals were enrolled in the trial in Chicago. "We are extremely grateful to the participants in both the chest X-ray and the CT scan arms who volunteered for this lengthy and challenging trial," Hart says in a statement. "Their continued involvement is the basis for this ray of hope for other heavy smokers." The trial was conducted at 33 sites throu...

Who should get a CT scan to screen for lung cancer?

By Jenifer Goodwin HealthDay Reporter THURSDAY, June 30 (HealthDay News) -- Annual low-dose CT scans cut the death rate from lung cancer by 20% in heavy smokers and formerly heavy smokers, compared to those who get annual chest X-rays, according to the results of a major National Cancer Institute study released on Wednesday. Experts are calling the findings a major advance in efforts to combat lung cancer deaths. By catching the cancer early, the tumors can be removed surgically -- hopefully before they've spread and become very difficult to cure. "This is a momentous time in the history of public health research," said Dr. Otis Brawley, chief medical officer of the American Cancer Society. "The NLST [National Lung Screening Trial] is the best-designed and best-performed lung cancer screening study in history." Yet the findings raise as many questions as they answer, said Dr. Harold Sox, a professor emeritus of medicine at Dartmouth Medical School who wrote an...

CT Screening for Lung Cancer

For the first time, people at high risk for lung cancer will have access to screening that uses computed tomography (CT) scans. Preliminary results from the National Lung Screening Trial, released in November 2010, showed that among people at high risk for lung cancer, those who were screened with low-dose spiral CT scans showed a 20 percent reduction in lung-cancer-related mortality compared to those who were screened with standard chest x-rays. The trial, which Duke did not participate in, included 53,000 participants ages 55 to 74 who were current and former heavy smokers. “Once those results are published, it will be the first U.S. trial to show in a randomized fashion a benefit from screening people at high risk for lung cancer with low-dose CT scans,” says thoracic surgeon Thomas D’Amico, MD. “Before, CT screening was not thought to be effective. This is an important advance.” Published results will likely result in third-party payers such as insurance companies and Medicare cov...

Analysis: Life saving lung cancer test to set off cost debate

By Bill Berkrot NEW YORK | Wed Jun 29, 2011 6:07pm EDT NEW YORK (Reuters) - A landmark study showing that routine lung screening of heavy smokers and former smokers using low dose CT scans could save thousands of lives is sure to set off a fierce debate about the cost of such testing on an overburdened healthcare system. The U.S. National Cancer Institute studied more than 53,000 people between the ages of 55 and 74 deemed at high risk of developing lung cancer. It found that screening with the three-dimensional X-rays cut deaths by 20 percent. Details of the study and a discussion of its implications were published on Wednesday in the New England Journal of Medicine, lending additional weight to initial findings that were released in November. The discussion noted that radiologists using more advanced CT equipment than was available for the study could lead to an even larger reduction in lung cancer deaths. At the same time, the potential for many more false positive results could ri...

MD Anderson rolls out lung CT screening

Following Wednesday’s release of comprehensive data from the National Lung Screening Trial, which demonstrated a 20 percent reduction in lung cancer mortality resulting from CT screening, MD Anderson Cancer Center publicized its aims to begin implementing lung screening for heavy smokers—without reimbursement from payors. Part of the University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston becomes one of the first major providers to adopt CT screening for lung cancer, after having contributed 780 patients to the National Cancer Institute’s National Lung Screening Trial (NLST). This week, investigators from half-a-dozen NLST participating sites published an updated and more extensive analysis of the NLST’s November findings in the New England Journal of Medicine . The trial revealed that low-dose lung CT dramatically lowered lung cancer mortality compared with standard x-rays, with the results dramatic enough to spur the National Cancer Institute to cut short its multi-institution st...

Symptoms of Ovarian Cysts - Is This Pain I'm Having A Cyst?

Cysts on the ovaries are closed baglike bulks which forms within the ovaries. An ovarian cyst evolves during menstrual cycles. The majority of growths are part of the monthly period process -- which is known as functional growths. They happen during ovulation and they also vanish after a period of time. Simple cysts consist of fluid or solid materials when the egg cell isn't launched during ovulation. Growths may cause blood loss and discomfort but could end up being handled via surgical treatment. During ovulation, endocrine is released within the ovary, follicles and little bags where eggs are created. Whenever eggs are finally shaped the follicles are damaged to release the eggs. The little bags that don't have eggs are known as corpus luteum but when these follicles or bags aren't damaged, they form as ovarian growths. You will find different types of ovarian growths below. Follicular cysts -- this is shaped when follicles or bulk that contain egg cells develop and don...

The Cure for Cancer?

I receive many emails asking for me to pray for the cure for cancer and always see people doing sponsored events to raise funds for research to find the cure. But, do we not already know what 'the cure' is? Apparently everyone has cancer cells or pre-cancerous cells in their body and the body's immune system disposes of these naturally. It's only when the immune system is down that the body is unable to fight and dispose of these cells that they begin to multiply to a detectable level. The malignant cells will not show up in tests until they have multiplied to several billion and when a doctor tells a patient that they no longer have cancer, it just means that they have gone back down to below the level of detection. It is for this same reason that, when carrying out surgery, doctors often find more cancer than they expected from what was seen on Xrays and MRIs - because there were cancer cells in other areas of the body that were still below the detectable rate. The b...

Throat Cancer Survival Rate - Know Your Chances

If you haven't known yet, the throat cancer survival rate is usually based on each stage of the cancer. This really isn't surprising knowing that most cancer survival percentages are estimated by their stages. A throat cancer survival rate may be measured by 5 years or 10 years period. But recently, most researchers are now using the 5 years time period when conducting survival rate studies of most cancers. Cancer of the throat is the cancer of our voice box (larynx) and its surrounding tissues. The most prominent parts of our throat are the larynx and the pharynx but most cancers arise from the former, accounting to nearly half of all throat cancer cases in America. Statistical studies will tell you that in the us alone, more than 25,000 people are being diagnosed of this type of cancer per year. Smoking is one of the major predisposing factors of this cancer, therefore, the prevalence rate of acquiring this disease is higher in male than in female. As the person ages, the ch...

The Truth About Cancer That Very Few People Know

There is no mystery to cancer, it is simply a result of the way we now live which weakens our immune system and allows normal body cells to mutate or divide without control. The way we now live has changed, especially with the food we now eat and that's why there is so much cancer. At present it is only a problem in the western developed world but is increasing rapidly in undeveloped countries as they become more affluent. We don't have a cure for cancer today but only treatments and these treatments have many faults. Also we are kept totally ignorant about the causes and most doctors don't know the causes. Everyone is hopeful that a cure will be discovered soon but unfortunately there isn't a drug that will cure cancer. The reasons why they haven't been able to find a successful cure are because it doesn't exist. But there is a way to become free of cancer and that doesn't involve drugs. Cancer is similar to the disease of scurvy that existed 200 years ago...

Tips For Boosting Your Immune System During Chemo

One of the many side effects of chemotherapy is that it weakens your immune system which is our repair system that keeps us health. So your main focus when undergoing chemotherapy should be to support the immune system by making some changes, especially with your food choices. There isn't a drug or a pill that will strengthen this system but only naturally way to achieve that. One of the many advantages of looking after the immune system during chemotherapy is there will be fewer consequences from the many side effects this treatment has. Also since all cancers are first caused by an immune system that wasn't functioning properly and allowed cancer cells to develop, doesn't it make sense to learn about it and what you can do to assist it? Firstly avoid doing anything that further weakens the immune system so cut down on alcohol, give up smoking which includes avoiding passive smoke, eat less dietary fats that are in fatty meats and butter, cheese and cream. Don't use c...

The Benefits of Clinical Trials

Clinical trials represent leading-edge medical science. However, less than 5% of adults diagnosed with cancer each year are enrolled in them. While there are a number of various treatment approaches being offered, 8/10 patients are not aware that this is a viable option for them. If they are offering treatment options above and beyond the standard treatment, why are patients not utilizing this valuable resource? Results from surveys and focus groups concluded that the vast majority of patients are unaware of clinical trials and doctors are not enrolling patients due to a lack of time, staffing, funding, and resources. Indeed, enrolling a patient in a trial requires a significant amount of time and resources for physicians. Furthermore, there are some serious misconceptions held by some physicians and patients. Molecular targeted clinical trials need to be viewed separately from other trials. Since targeted trials are based on well-established molecular mechanisms, they do not require ...

Treating Esophagus Cancer

The esophagus is part of the gastrointestinal tract. Its function is to move food from the mouth to the stomach for digestion. It is classified as a muscle and is composed of several layers: inner lining, submucosa, muscle layer, and outer layer. Esophagus cancer generally begins growing in the inner layer of the esophagus and can spread to the surround tissues. Cancer cells can also break off and find their way to other parts of the body inducing other cancerous tumors to grow. This is called metastasis. It is unknown what causes esophageal cancer but risk factors that increase your chances of developing the disease include being over the age of 65, being male, smoking, drinking heavily, unhealthy died, obesity, and acid reflux. Esophagus cancer is asymptomatic meaning it typically does not present any symptoms. However difficulty swallowing, unexplained weight loss, chest pain, and fatigue have been associated with the disease. It is a good idea to make an appointment with your heal...

The Cancer Diet and Juicing - 3 Foods You Should Drink Every Day

Can you really kill cancer with juice? Absolutely, but understand we aren't talking about apple juice in a tin. Fresh homemade juices extracted from whole organic produce have some of the most potent cancer fighting compounds you will find anywhere. With a little knowledge, and the right kitchen tools, your kitchen can become your very own healthy clinic. The first thing you need to understand is that our bodies do two things naturally that are important in this anti-cancer battle. The first thing your body does is utilize the immune system to kill off new cancer cells as they begin to grow, and long before anything can be detected. Cancer cells form in every body, and our body knows what to do to heal that before it becomes a concern. The second thing your body does that is important in the context of this article is that it grows new cells every day, and it does so with the tools it has on hand. Everything you eat will be used, in part, to build a new body cell. So from now on, ...

Symptoms of Cancer

Cancer is one of the deadliest sicknesses everyone fears. Not only will the person experience a painful death but also a tragic ending to all your savings. That is why it is very important to have knowledge about the different signs and symptoms of certain cancers so that at an early stage you can still be able to overcome it and no longer have to go through painful medications and treatments. I have listed below some of the common signs and symptoms to help curious people like you. 1. Fever - This is on of the common signs but mostly occurs after the cancer has spread from its origin. The majority of cancer patients will experience fever at some point of time and makes it more difficult for the immune system to fight the infection. Fever is one of the early signs of certain cancers like blood cancer. 2. Strange weight loss - Those who have cancer will experience a sudden loss in weight for no reason. This is called "unexplained weight loss". This is usually the first sign o...

The Psychology of Cancer Management

It is best that we can come to an understanding regarding the nature of those cells that our clinicians determine to be "cancerous" and how the behaviour of those cells impacts on our lives. I use the word "lives" quite deliberately here and not the singular because the very diagnosis of this illness, immediately impacts on our family, our friends and acquaintances and even upon those people who we are yet to meet. It is an unfortunate fact that the very word cancer, carries with it an implicit warning of our mortality. Indeed, many among us have a pre-conceived notion that a diagnosis of cancer is a pre-determined announcement of impending death. This notion, I have observed, is quite common until such diagnosis becomes personal, where-upon an almost instantaneous determination to live comes about. When working with people with a diagnosis of cancer, I have frequently observed that, no matter what their conscious observations are, they see cancer as some kind of e...

The Emotional Side of the Cancer Healing Equation

Emotions play a very important and tangible role in your healing process. In this article I am going to outline strategies and concrete ideas to help you make a shift toward bringing more healing, loving and energizing emotions into your healing journey. Letting Go Emotional stress can also disrupt hormonal balance in the body which can result in the increased production of abnormal cells. Feeling trapped and helpless are detrimental negative emotions so let's look at a few situations where you may be feeling stuck and how you can let go and free yourself. Your Treatment Plan: The most important thing to feel positive about is your recommended treatment plan. If you feel stuck with a doctor you don't feel is taking your needs into consideration or who is proposing a plan that you are not comfortable with and he or she is not willing to discuss other options then it is time to get a second opinion. Remember, at the end of the day it is you that has to have the last word and fee...