Name of the medical condition and other names that it’s been known by

• Lung Cancer

• Sometimes called bronchogenic carcinoma or pulmonary carcinoma

 

What is Lung Cancer?

Lung cancer happens when cells in the lungs start growing out of control. These abnormal cells can form tumors and spread to other body parts.

 

There are two main types of lung cancer:

• Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This type is more common, making up about 80-85% of all lung cancer cases.

• Small cell lung cancer (SCLC)

 

The lungs are two spongy organs in your chest that help you breathe. When you inhale, your lungs take in oxygen and when you exhale, they remove carbon dioxide. Lung cancer can start in different parts of the lungs, like the airways (bronchi or bronchioles) or the tiny air sacs (alveoli).

 

Smoking is the biggest cause of lung cancer, but people who have never smoked can get it too. Other risk factors include:

• Exposure to secondhand smoke

• Radon gas

• Air pollution

• Certain chemicals

 

Symptoms of lung cancer often don't show up until the disease is advanced. Some signs to watch for include:

• A cough that doesn't go away

• Coughing up blood

• Chest pain

• Trouble breathing

• Losing weight without trying

 

Doctors use various tests to diagnose lung cancer, such as

• Chest X-rays

• CT scans

• Biopsies

 

Treatment options depend on the type and stage of cancer but may include:

• Surgery

• Radiation therapy

• Chemotherapy

• Targeted therapy

• Immunotherapy

 

 

Trend
• In the United States, the number of new lung cancer cases has been declining steadily, partly because more people are quitting smoking (or not starting). However, lung cancer remains a significant health concern.

•  According to the American Cancer Society's estimates, about 238,340 new cases were expected in 2023.

• Approximately 541,000 people alive today have been diagnosed with lung cancer at some point in their lives.
• It's estimated that there will be around 250,000 new cases of lung cancer in the United States by 2029. These numbers show that lung cancer is still a significant health concern, but thanks to better screening and treatment, more people are surviving the disease.

 

History
Lung cancer was rare before the 1930s, but cases increased dramatically as smoking became more popular. Doctors first linked smoking to lung cancer in the 1950s. Since then, there have been many efforts to reduce smoking and improve lung cancer treatments.

 

In recent years, new targeted therapies and immunotherapies have been developed, giving patients more treatment options. Screening programs have also been introduced to catch lung cancer earlier in high-risk individuals.

 

Source of Information

• American Cancer Society

• Cleveland Clinic

• Mayo Clinic

 

For informational purposes only. Consult a medical professional for advice.