Michael Bovee
Non small cell lung cancer is the most common form of lung cancer and has the highest rate of mortality in women
It is one of the four types of this form of cancer that can affect a person and the other three are large cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma and pleura mesothelioma.
The most common symptom of non small cell lung cancer is the presence of pleural effusion and this is a fluid-filled sac in the lining of the lungs or the chest cavity. This type of fluid is usually dark yellow in color but is sometimes white in color in patients with mild to severe symptoms.
The presence of a lump or swelling in the chest can also be a symptom of non small cell lung cancer and there is a great chance that this lump or swelling may be malignant. In this case surgery can be performed and if the lump or swelling does not shrink then it may need to be removed surgically as well. Pleural mesothelioma biopsy is often required in this type of cancer and this involves the removal of a small amount of tissue from the lung to determine if it is malignant.
As the cancer grows it can spread to other parts of the body and the non small cell lung cancer can spread to bone and other organs. There are many factors that contribute to the development of this type of cancer and they include smoking, environmental factors, genetic predisposition, and tumors that are found elsewhere in the body.
Women are twice as likely as men to get this type of lung cancer and those who smoke are much more likely than those who do not. In the past smoking was thought to increase the risk of getting this type of cancer but recent research has shown that in fact this type of lung cancer is not related to the level of smoke smokers take in.
The risk of non small cell lung cancer is greatly increased in people with a family history of the disease. Those who smoke and have multiple family members with the disease also suffer an increased risk of the cancer as well.
Chemotherapy is used for non-small cell lung cancer. This treatment has proven successful in many people, but it is also known to cause side effects.
If you suspect you have non-small cell lung cancer, you should seek medical attention. If you ignore the problem, it can lead to serious complications. Don't wait until it's too late to seek medical attention.
Symptoms that you will see during a screening for non-small cell lung cancer include persistent coughing accompanied by fever. Other symptoms you should be aware of include yellowish mucus, shortness of breath, weight loss and gain, fatigue, and changes in your ability to breathe.
Treatment for non-small cell lung cancer usually includes surgery, chemotherapy, and / or radiation therapy. Surgery is the most common form of cancer treatment and is often used in the early stages of the disease. Chemotherapy is used to treat cancerous cells and when the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
Radiation therapy helps reduce the size and number of cancerous cells produced. Radiation therapy helps kill all cancer cells and prevent new ones from growing. The procedure also helps to improve the quality of your breathing.
There is another form of therapy called brachytherapy, which is used to treat areas that are difficult to respond to radiation therapy. Brachytherapy is used to treat all types of lung cancer because it helps remove all cancer cells in the body.