| The picture of lung disease is that of no hope. | | | | increasing the survival rate. Doctors may use a |
| Lung cancer affects millions of Americans and | | | | variety of tests to diagnose cancer cells in the |
| others around the world. Understanding the | | | | lungs. These include a physical examination |
| symptoms, treatments, causes such as smoking, | | | | accompanied with advanced image scanning of |
| and signs will help to increase awareness of this | | | | the chest and lungs. |
| debilitating lung disease. This section of the | | | | The following tests may be used to diagnose lung |
| website is devoted to helping to promote | | | | cancer: CT scans (takes 2 dimensional x-ray |
| awareness of this disease. | | | | pictures of the lungs), chest x-rays of the lung |
| Just what is Lung cancer? It's a condition in which | | | | cavity, MRI or magnetic Resonance Imaging, PET |
| cancerous cells grow uncontrollably and reproduce | | | | scan or Positron Emission Tomography which uses |
| cause devastating effects on the lungs. Healthy | | | | cellular reactivity to sugar, and a biopsy which is |
| cells are replaced by abnormal cells that turn into | | | | removing part of the tissue for further |
| tumors that destroy the lungs. | | | | microscopic examination. |
| There are tow main types of lung disease. They | | | | Other no so intrusive tests may incorporate the |
| are non-small cell which current accounts for 80% | | | | use of a bronchoscop where the physician is able |
| of diagnosed cases, and small cell making up the | | | | see the lungs and surrounding areas through a |
| remaining 20%. Lung cancer usually always starts | | | | small hollow tube that magnifies the images, and |
| in just one lung. If left untreated, it can spread to | | | | sputum cytology - where a sample phlegm is |
| other vital organs of the body as well such as the | | | | taken and analyzed with a high powered |
| lymph nodes, the brain, bones, and liver just to | | | | microscope for abnormal cell growth and tissue. |
| name a few. | | | | Doctors have a variety of methods in lung caner |
| Although over eighty percent of patients develop | | | | treatment. They include the use of various |
| lung disease due to smoking, this is not the | | | | conventional medical practices such as surgery, |
| all-inclusive cause. Studies have shown that many | | | | chemotherapy, and radiological therapy. Once a |
| environmental factors influence the probability of | | | | diagnosis of confirmed, only then will your doctor |
| contracting lung cancer. Such factors include | | | | design a treatment plan that will be most |
| environmental pollution, toxic gas emissions, and | | | | effective. This all depends on your current health, |
| exposure to carcinogens such as in asbestos and | | | | how advanced the cancer is, and on whether the |
| other toxic inhalants. | | | | cancer has mastasized. |
| Small cell is most often caused by smoking | | | | The way to protect yourself is to increase your |
| tobacco. The early symptoms and signs of this | | | | awareness by visiting information sites that |
| form of lung disease may show up as persistent | | | | contain pictures, photos, and new articles about |
| coughing that gradually increases over time, | | | | this disease. Prevention is the key, and if you are |
| sputum changes in color and quantity, excessive | | | | beyond that, then early detection holds the |
| wheezing, loss of appetite and chronic fatigue. | | | | greatest chance of your survival rate. Your may |
| Other related symptoms could include rapid | | | | want to look into alternative treatments as well |
| weight loss, unexplained back pain, and swelling in | | | | which will be available from this site with promising |
| the face and neck. | | | | results. |
| Like all cancers, early detection is the key to | | | | |