Lung carcinoma
| Lung cancer | |
|---|---|
| Synonyms | Lung carcinoma |
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| A chest X-ray showing a tumor in the lung (marked by arrow) | |
| Specialty | Oncology |
| Symptoms | Coughing (including coughing up blood), weight loss, shortness of breath, chest pains |
| Usual onset | ~70 years |
| Types | Small-cell lung carcinoma (SCLC), non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) |
| Risk factors | Tobacco smoking, genetic factors, radon gas, asbestos, air pollution |
| Diagnostic method | Medical imaging, tissue biopsy |
| Treatment | Surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy |
| Prognosis | Five-year survival rate 17.4% (US) |
| Frequency | 3.3 million affected as of 2015 |
| Deaths | 1.7 million (2015) |
| Classification | |
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| External resources |
Lung cancer, also known as lung carcinoma, is a malignant lung tumor characterized by uncontrolled cell growth in tissues of the lung. This growth can spread beyond the lung by the process of metastasis into nearby tissue or other parts of the body. Most cancers that start in the lung, known as primary lung cancers, are carcinomas. The two main types are small-cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) and non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). The most common symptoms are coughing (including coughing up blood), weight loss, shortness of breath, and chest pains.
The vast majority (85%) of cases of lung cancer are due to long-term tobacco smoking. About 10–15% of cases occur in people who have never smoked. These cases are often caused by a combination of genetic factors and exposure to radon gas, asbestos, second-hand smoke, or other forms of air pollution. Lung cancer may be seen on chest radiographs and computed tomography (CT) scans. The diagnosis is confirmed by biopsy which is usually performed by bronchoscopy or CT-guidance.
Avoidance of risk factors, including smoking and air pollution, is the primary method of prevention. Treatment and long-term outcomes depend on the type of cancer, the stage (degree of spread), and the person's overall health. Most cases are not curable. Common treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. NSCLC is sometimes treated with surgery, whereas SCLC usually responds better to chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
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