In the western industrialized countries, the number of lung cancer for years. Although in men the trend decline since the 80s, but women have to each year new sad record numbers. Meanwhile, lung cancer is the third most common cancer in both sexes. Inmost country each year over 40,000 people are diagnosed with lung cancer. Even more shocking is his share of deaths: Men are every 4th Cancer death due to lung cancer in women at least every 10 These figures are more tragic than that of lung cancer is one of the few malignancies in which the main risk factor is known for a long time: About 90% of lung cancer patients are smokers. If one bears in mind that, according to a study now smokes every third 15-year-old, with Germany among the international leaders of the sad, the probability is high that the number of lung cancer patients in the future will not sink.

What is lung cancer?

In fact, lung cancer is an umbrella term for a variety of malignant tumors in the lungs and bronchial system. The most frequent form (90%) is the cancer that is colloquially often equated with lung cancer and subsequently treated here. About the blood, metastases, ie metastases of other cancers are flushed into the lungs of mice and there. Are rare malignant tumors of lung and pleura. Depending on how the fabric will appear under the microscope, small cell (25%) and non-small cell lung cancer can be distinguished. The latter is further divided into different forms, including the squamous cell carcinoma, which starts from the deck of tissue and with about 45% is most common, and adenocarcinoma, in contrast to all other forms not dependent on smoking. Small-cell lung cancer spreads very early metastasis and therefore has a worse prognosis. For prognosis and therapy in addition to the microscopic examination of tissue, the tumor stage is important, so how big the cancer is and how far it has spread at diagnosis already on surrounding structures and in the body.

What are the causes of lung cancer?

The cancer occurs mainly as a result of tobacco smoking. In cigarette smoke about 4,000 substances can be found, of which 40 are carcinogenic, and benzo (a) pyrene, which damages a competent defense for cancer gene P-53 on chromosome 9. Not only active smoking is unhealthy, even passive smoking increases the risk of cancer. Spends a Non smoking an evening surrounded by smokers in an enclosed space such as a pub will be charged to the body as if he had smoked 4-9 cigarettes. The disease risk increases with the number of cigarettes smoked, depth of inhalation, duration of smoking and age. The tar and nicotine concentration play a role. It is estimated that 40 pack years (say 40 years a pack of cigarettes a day) the risk of cancer is increased 30-fold. There is no good news is that it works smoking, get rid of their nicotine addiction, approaches the probability of developing lung cancer, gradually returns to the non-smokers.

Besides smoking, other toxins in the air cause lung cancer, especially if people are exposed for long periods. These include asbestos, arsenic, chromium, cadmium, nickel, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, mustard gas, uranium, radon, etc. Thus, for example Blast furnace workers, gas station workers, roofers and asphalt at risk, especially if they disregard the health and safety regulations. Especially dangerous is the combination of these pollutants with active smoking. Why, however, for some smokers developed cancer, while others are, despite decades of nicotine addiction is not yet clear. A clear genetic cause could be found so far just as a diet-related. However, the scientists believe that there are relationships.

Lung Cancer: Symptoms and signs

What are the signs of lung cancer? Tricky is that lung cancer usually produces no symptoms for a long time. Lung cancer is so often either accidentally discovered during an X-ray or only if he advanced, and therefore poorly curable. Unlike some other cancers are currently no screening is offered, which are suitable as screening for early detection would. If cancer symptoms occur, they are indistinguishable, at least at the beginning of most other lung diseases. The following symptoms should result in a doctor’s visit, especially when combined or occur over time:

* New-onset, worsening or changing of chronic cough
* Cough blood
* Difficulty breathing to respiratory distress
* Lung sounds when breathing, chest pain
* Lung diseases such as bronchitis, which do not heal
* Hoarseness, difficulty swallowing
* Fever, night sweats
* Fatigue, buckling performance
* Loss of appetite, unintended weight loss

Other symptoms can occur when lung cancer spread and metastasis to other organs of mice. Particularly common spine, brain, adrenal glands and liver are affected, which can lead to back pain, headaches, dizziness, behavioral changes, abdominal pain or nausea.
How is it diagnosed?

By means of the investigations is found not only the tumor but also determines its nature and its stage, to decide on the treatment. First, ask the doctor’s medical history, especially smoking habits and occupational risk. After the physical examination will join the X-ray images of the lungs and various blood tests. To gauge the tumor tissue may be carried out possibly a bronchoscopy, in which, cell and tissue samples can be collected. With a CT scan of the chest, upper abdomen and brain cancer incidence can be determined and detect metastases. With a bone scan can be able to look after the bone metastases, possibly follows a bone marrow biopsy. There also exist a number of other studies, which are used depending on the case and before a planned surgery.

Which therapy?

The treatment depends on the nature and extent of the tumor. Whenever possible, try to achieve a cure. This is possible only if all the tumor tissues, including metastases, and lymph nodes can be removed. Only then can prevent a recurrence. Depending on the cancer type, stage and condition of the patients are surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy or a combination thereof are used.

• Operation: Right and left lung consists of three or two lobes, which are composed of ten and nine lung segments. Depending on the size of the tumor is a segment (Lungenteilresektion) or a lobe (lobectomy) away, rarely, the entire left or right lung (pneumonectomy). With a lung function test is first determined whether the remaining respiratory activity is sufficient. For an operation particularly non-small cell types are suitable.
• Chemotherapy: This is usually given in multiple cycles of cytotoxic drugs, cytotoxins that act as cancer cells, but not spare the body’s own healthy cells. Therefore, it is common to severe side effects. Particularly small cell carcinomas in touch with them.
• Radiation therapy: By X-rays in certain dosage to damage cells. Particularly small cell lung cancer can be reduced in size by irradiating the skull, possibly a resettlement can prevent metastasis.

Recently, scientists have found some new approaches on a molecular level, in which the cancer cells are specifically targeted in therapy. Early research results give hope that in the future be its new lung cancer treatment options.

What are the course and prognosis?

Overall, lung cancer is currently more likely to be adverse prognostic cancers – 5 years after diagnosis on average live only 13-14% of patients. The prognosis depends a lot on the type, size and spread of the tumor and thus also from responsiveness to therapy, but also on the age and general condition of the patient. The relatively best prognosis, the squamous cell carcinoma in an early stage, the worst small-cell lung cancer. Untreated, it can even lead to death within weeks. Important after completion of treatment, regular check-ups, so that even a recurrent tumor can be detected early and treated. And in any case, the affected should consistently give up cigarettes.