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Long asbestos fibre exposure results in several health problems, including lung cancer, asbestosis, and mesothelioma cancer

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Cancer Stages - Lung By K. Ngo

Lung cancer is one of the most deadly diseases for both men and women. Most lung cancers start in the cells that line bronchi, but they can also begin in other areas such as the Trachea (windpipe), bronchioles, or alveoli (the tiny air sacs at the end of the bronchioles. Like any other cancers, lung cancers are thought to develop over the course of many years. They may start as areas of pre-cancerous stages in the lung. At the earlier stage with changes happen within the cells themselves, no mass or tumor is formed at this stage, therefore, they cannot be seen on an x-ray and won't cause any symptoms. However, these pre-cancerous changes may progress to true cancer. At some point when the cancer cells grow and form a tumor large enough to be seen on x-rays, cells from the cancer may break away from the original tumor and spread (also known as metastasize) to other part of the body. Lung cancer is a life-threatening disease because it often spread far beyond the lung even before it can be detected.

There are two major types of lung cancers, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC). If a lung cancer has both types of cancer, it is called mixed small/large cell cancer. This is not too common.

The two types of cancers are staged and treated differently.

  • Non-small cell lung cancers make up 85% to 90% of lung cancers, they are staged from 0 to IV. Stage 0 being the earliest, most treatable and stage IV is most advanced.
  • Small cell lung cancers make up 10% to 15% of lung cancers, labeled by Limited Stage Disease (cancer is on one side of the chest) and Extensive Stage Disease (spread beyond one side of the chest)

Here is a general view of the four stages of the non-small cell lung cancer:
  • Stage 0: The cancer is found only in the top layers of cells lining the air passages. It has not invaded deeper into other lung tissues and has not spread to lymph nodes or distant sites.
  • Stage I: The cancer is no larger than 3 centimeters (cm) across, has not reached the membranes that surround the lungs, and does not affect the main branches of the bronchi. It has not spread to lymph nodes or distant sites.
  • Stage II: The cancer is no larger than 3 centimeters, has not grown into the membranes that surround the lungs, and does not affect the main branches of the bronchi. It has spread to lymph nodes within the lung and/or around the area where the bronchus enters the lung (hilar lymph nodes). It has not spread to distant sites.
  • Stage III: The cancer is no larger than 3 centimeters, has not grown into the membrane that surrounds the lungs, and does not affect the main branches of the bronchi. The cancer has spread to lymph nodes around the carina (the point where the windpipe splits into the left and right bronchi) or in the space behind the breastbone and in front of the heart (mediastinum). Affected lymph nodes are on the same side as the primary tumor. The cancer has not spread to distant sites.
  • Stage IV: The cancer can be any size and may or may not have grown into nearby structures or reached nearby lymph nodes. It has spread to distant sites.

There is much more on the staging of lung cancer to include in this article. For a more detail report on both non-small cell and small cell lung cancer stages, visit the website below.

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. Nearly 1 every 2 men and 1 in 3 women in the United States will develop cancer sometime during their life. The risk of developing most types of cancer can be reduced by changes in a person's lifestyle, such as quitting smoking, eating a better diet, drinking more clean and fresh water rather than alcoholic or caffeinated beverages. The sooner a cancer is found and treated, the better are the chances for living for many years.

There is much more detail information on the lung cancer stages to include in this article. Get the full Lung Cancer Stages Report Here.

Paying attention to the water you drink daily is one way to prevent cancer development.

About 70% of the bodies' weight is water. It is the very thing the body needs most. Water is accountable for many body functions. Drinking enough clean and fresh water not only improves your overall health and well-being, it may also prevent you from many ailments and sicknesses. Give your body the quality water it deserves and in turn, it will serve you with the optimal health and appearance you have always desired. For the best possible water for your health, right from the faucet, for pennies per gallon, please visit Drinking Water Safety. After all, who wants to fill 70% of their bodies' weight with impurities, toxins and chemical treated water?

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=K._Ngo

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