Lung Cancer, Essay Example

This paper explores the medical disease of lung cancer.  The paper is split into four distinct parts: (1) Background and Introduction to the disease  (2)  Cause of the disease and medical treatments available (3) Prognosis of the disease and medical trends  (4)  Summary.  The paper addresses the question – What is lung cancer in humans ?

Background and Introduction

Cancer that is diagnosed as originating from lung cells is referred to as ‘lung cancer’. It is one of the leading causes of death in men and women.  Cigarette smoking has been outlined as one of the main causes attributable to lung cancer.  The disease has increased over the last decade primarily due to the increase in female smokers.  Those most vulnerable fall between the ages of 45-70 years. A persistent cough is the most tell tale sign of lung cancer but you will require chest X rays and a biopsy to determine confirmation.  The most common forms of treatment are radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and targeted drugs or agents.  Cancer that originates from the lungs is described  as that of Primary Cancer. ” Primary lung cancer can start in the airways that branch off the trachea to supply the lungs (the bronchi) or in the small air sacs of the lung (the alveoli). Cancer may also spread (metastasize) to the lung from other parts of the body (most commonly from the breasts, colon, prostate, kidneys, thyroid gland, stomach, cervix, rectum, testes, bone, or skin” (Waun Ki Hong and Anne S. Tsao).

Cause of the disease and treatments available

The main cause of lung cancer has been pointed towards that of Cigarette smoking, It is estimated to contribute to 85% of all known cases. Statistics in addition indicate that 15% are non smoking related and often attributable to some form of genetic disorder.  Other risk factors include exposure to radon gas, asbestos, passive smoking e.g. people working in confined spaces with smokers such as bars and restaurants. In the last decade these sort of environments have been largely eliminated owing to media pressures and greater awareness in the potential harm that this causes.  There are other cacogenic agents like Copper, nickel, chromates and coke oven emissions which put people at increased risk.  Cigar and pipe smokers also fall under this risk.

The most specific symptom is coughing, although other specific side effects include loss of appetite, weight loss, fatigue, chest pains and weakness. On rarer occasions the coughing may also include bleeding.  ” Lung cancer may also spread through the bloodstream to other parts of the body, most commonly the liver, brain, adrenal glands, spinal cord, or bones. The spread of lung cancer may occur early in the course of disease, especially with small cell lung cancer. Symptoms—such as headache, confusion, seizures, and bone pain—may develop before any lung problems become evident, making an early diagnosis more complicated” (Waun Ki Hong and Anne S. Tsao).

Figure 1 : Source Merck Statistics

There are a number of treatment options available depending upon the stage of advancement of the cancer.  These include Radiation treatment, Chemotherapy, Drugs and other agents.  ” Surgery is the treatment of choice for non–small cell lung cancer that has not spread beyond the lung (early-stage disease). In general, surgery is not used for early-stage small cell lung cancer, because this aggressive cancer requires chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Surgery may not be possible if the cancer has spread beyond the lungs, if the cancer is too close to the windpipe, or if the person has other serious conditions” (Waun Ki Hong and Anne S. Tsao).

Prognosis and Medical Trends

Lung Cancer has a very poor prognosis. People who do not obtain treatment rarely survive more than 6 months. Those treated with extensive cell cancer or advanced small cell cancer have less than a 5 year survival rate. Early non small cell lung cancer are estimated to have a 5 year survival rate of 60-70%.  Cancer often returns within the first two years of treatment.  This is detected by regular check-ups i.e. X Rays, CT Scans etc.  Like most cancer patients they will be monitored for the rest of their natural lives. As most people diagnosed with lung cancer eventually die there is a need to consider planning for terminal care.  Anxiety and pain are often associated with the disease but these may be treated with drugs and this has permitted many people to die in the relative comfort of their own home. This without the more formal need for hospice services.

The Medical world continues to seek out new treatments for lung cancer and there is no doubt that medical advancements continue to make improvements in this area.  ” Scientists have identified a new drug which could be used to treat people with small cell lung cancer.

Researchers at Imperial College London and part-funded by Cancer Research UK found the drug, named PD173074, eliminated small cell lung cancer tumours in 50 per cent of cases when tested on mice. It also prevented the tumours from growing and stopped them from becoming resistant to treatment” (Pardo).

Summary

The graph in Fig 2 to the left illustrates the incidence of Lung Cancer across the countries in continental Europe.  Age standardised incidence rates of lung cancer by sex in EU 2006.

Figure 2 Incidence of ling cancer in EU

Note the high cigarette smoking countries of Hungary, Poland and Denmark.  This is also an area of high alcohol consumption which is also considered may have a contributory affect.

The position in Fig 3 shows the trends over time in the EU looking at the period of 1975-2006.  It reveals a sharp decline in men (stopped smoking) and an increase in women (increased smoking).  but the overall picture is that of a decline in smoking.

Figure 3 The trend in EU 1975-2006

Works Cited

Pardo, O., Latigo, J., Jeffery, R., Nye, E., Poulsom, R., Spencer-Dene, B., Lemoine, N., Stamp, G., Aboagye, E., & Seckl, M. Cancer Research UK. 12 11 2009. 14 4 2010 <http://info.cancerresearchuk.org/news/archive/cancernews/2009-11-12-Impressive-new-lung-cancer-drug-revealed>.

Waun Ki Hong, MD and MD Anne S. Tsao. Lunng Cancer. 1 3 2008. 14 4 2010 <http://www.merck.com/mmhe/sec04/ch057/ch057a.html>.