How to Understand Lung Cancer

To better understand lung cancer, you should learn where the lungs are and their function. Here is an overview of the lungs, their function, and how lung cancer affects them.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• internet

1. WHAT ARE LUNGS?
   First, the lungs are two separate organs located in the chest cavity. The right lung has three lobes and the left lung has two lobes to make room for the heart. After inhaling air, it travels into the lungs and the bronchi. Most lung cancer begins in the cells that line the bronchi.

2. WHAT ARE THE CLASSIFICATIONS?
   Next, lung cancer has two classifications. Non-small cell lung carcinoma has three sub types: squamous cell lung carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, and large cell lung carcinoma. Squamous cell lung carcinoma accounts for more than 30% of lung cancers. It usually starts near the central broncus. They usually grow slower than other lung cancers. The type associated mostly with smoking is adenocarcinoma. It accounts for around 29% of lung cancers.

3. SMALL CELL LUNG CARCINOMA
   Next is small cell lung carcinoma. It is less common than other types of lung cancer. It grows quickly and can become quite large. It is generally metastatic at presentation and offers a worse prognosis.

4. STAGING
   Finally there is lung cancer staging. It is an assessment of how quickly it has spread. IA(one) is the best and IV or four is consider the worst.

Tips & Warnings

• Get information via the internet.
• Talk to your doctor.

[stacie5]

on 10/19/2009 Good information. 5* and rec.

[axleskat]

on 10/15/2009 thanks for the info! my cousin was just diagnosed! 5*