Disease
Lung cancer is not just one disease but rather a group of diseases. All forms of cancer cause cells in the body to change and grow out of control. Most types of cancer cells form a lump or mass called a tumor. Cells from the tumor can break away and travel to other parts of the body where they can continue to grow. This spreading process is called metastasis. When cancer spreads, it is still named after the part of the body where it started. For example, if breast cancer spreads to the lungs, it is still breast cancer, not lung cancer. Another word for cancerous is malignant, so a cancerous tumor is referred to as malignant. But not all tumors are cancer. A tumor that is not cancer is called benign. Benign tumors do not grow and spread the way cancer does. They are usually not a threat to life. A few cancers, such as blood cancers (leukemia), do not form a tumor. Most cancers are named after the part of the body where the cancer first starts. Lung cancer begins in the lungs. The lungs are two sponge-like organs in the chest. The right lung has three sections, called lobes. The left lung has two lobes. It is smaller because the heart takes up more room on that side of the body. The lungs bring air in and out of the body, taking in
Quitting helps improve appetite and overall health and can reduce the chance of a new cancer. Blood tests: certain blood tests are often done to help see if the lung cancer has spread to the liver or bones. People whose lungs are in good condition (other than the cancer) can often return to normal activities after a lobe or even an entire lung is removed. Clearly, the best way to prevent lung cancer is not to smoke or be around those who do. Removing only part of the lobe is called a wedge resection. In fact, some insurance companies require you to get a second opinion. This type of cancer is covered in a separate American Cancer Society document. No one can predict how your cancer will respond to treatment. Do as much as you can to stay healthy and active. If there is a reason to suspect you may have lung cancer, the doctor will use one or more methods to find out if the disease is really present. Many people with small cell lung cancer will already have extensive disease when it is found. There are a few other rare types of lung cancer not covered in this document. Chemotherapy can have some side effects. Cigar and pipe smoking are almost as likely to cause lung cancer as cigarette smoking. The main questions the researchers want to answer are: Does this treatment work? Does it work better than the one we're now using? What side effects does it cause? Do the benefits outweigh the risks? Which patients are most likely to find this treatment helpful? During your course of treatment, your doctor may suggest that you look into a clinical trial.
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