Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common type of lung cancer, and lung cancer is one of the most common cancers. Although it is one of the most common, it is also the second most fatal cancer affecting civilization today. Lung cancer in general, occurs when a carcinogen triggers the growth of abnormal cells in the lung, the abnormal cell growth can start in the cells lining the bronchi and parts of the lung such as the bronchioles or alveoli (What Is Non-small Cell Lung Cancer?).This abnormal growth of cells will sooner or later lead to the growth of a tumor (abnormal cells growing together in clusters), which in the end will begin to produce at such a speed that the healthy cells can no longer survive, and the cancer will spread.
…show more content…
The most dangerous risk factor that can lead to lung cancer is smoking. Smoking has the highest percent of lung cancer patients, making up the majority of 80-90% of lung cancer victims being smokers or prior smokers. Being around radon gas may also lead to lung cancer, but at a much lower rate than that of smokers. Even second hand smoke can cause the person to develop lung cancer, so it isn’t always smoking yourself but what can be in the air. If other cancers occur, the treatment of radiation to the chest also holds a chance of creating cancer within the lung tissue. If you or someone you know is working in a place with asbestos, soot, or tar, the risk of lung cancer is much higher. Lastly, another risk factor of developing lung cancer comes from family history. With these risk factors, it is easy to see how this cancer is the second most …show more content…
In stage zero, which is the least life threatening stage, the cancer has not yet had the chance to spread beyond the inner cell lining of the lung. Stage one is described as the cancer has spread but the cancer is still small and has yet had the chance to reach the lymph nodes. In the second stage things start to become worse as the cancer takes ahold and spreads to lymph nodes close to the original cancer growth. By stage three the chances of survival are lessening and the cancer has spread to nearby tissue and other lymph nodes. And finally there is stage four which you are extremely unlikely to come out of, by this time the cancer has spread to other organs of the body including the heart, brain, and liver; the goal here isn’t treatment but rather quality of life.
The most useful way to diagnose this form of cancer is by performing a needle biopsy. A lung needle biopsy is a method to remove a piece of lung tissue for examination. After removing the piece of tissue, the tissue is examined under a microscope and the specific cells are looked at for any abnormity. The abnormity being as listed above, the different types of cells and the appearance of those cells. Although a needle biopsy is the most used method of diagnosis, other options are available.
The most dangerous risk factor that can lead to lung cancer is smoking. Smoking has the highest percent of lung cancer patients, making up the majority of 80-90% of lung cancer victims being smokers or prior smokers. Being around radon gas may also lead to lung cancer, but at a much lower rate than that of smokers. Even second hand smoke can cause the person to develop lung cancer, so it isn’t always smoking yourself but what can be in the air. If other cancers occur, the treatment of radiation to the chest also holds a chance of creating cancer within the lung tissue. If you or someone you know is working in a place with asbestos, soot, or tar, the risk of lung cancer is much higher. Lastly, another risk factor of developing lung cancer comes from family history. With these risk factors, it is easy to see how this cancer is the second most …show more content…
In stage zero, which is the least life threatening stage, the cancer has not yet had the chance to spread beyond the inner cell lining of the lung. Stage one is described as the cancer has spread but the cancer is still small and has yet had the chance to reach the lymph nodes. In the second stage things start to become worse as the cancer takes ahold and spreads to lymph nodes close to the original cancer growth. By stage three the chances of survival are lessening and the cancer has spread to nearby tissue and other lymph nodes. And finally there is stage four which you are extremely unlikely to come out of, by this time the cancer has spread to other organs of the body including the heart, brain, and liver; the goal here isn’t treatment but rather quality of life.
The most useful way to diagnose this form of cancer is by performing a needle biopsy. A lung needle biopsy is a method to remove a piece of lung tissue for examination. After removing the piece of tissue, the tissue is examined under a microscope and the specific cells are looked at for any abnormity. The abnormity being as listed above, the different types of cells and the appearance of those cells. Although a needle biopsy is the most used method of diagnosis, other options are available.