Lung Cancer Definition

A lung cancer definition can tell you more about what is happening to you and in you.

A lung cancer definition can be difficult because there are many types of lung cancer.  Lung cancer occurs when cells of the lung begin to grow out of control and take over healthy lung tissue.  The lung cancer can break off into pieces that can go to other parts of the body and take over those areas of the body.

What is lung cancer? Types of Lung Cancer

There are several different types of lung cancer.  The cancers are based upon how the lung cancer tissue looks under the microscope. There is small cell cancer, also called oat cell cancer, which occurs mainly in the upper parts of the lungs.  Small cell cancer is very deadly and few people survive this type of cancer.  There are several different types of large cell cancers of the lung.

No definition of lung cancer would be complete without defining the different types of large cell lung cancer.  One type of large cell lung cancer is called squamous cell cancer.  This cancer involves the air tubes of the lungs and is found usually in the center part of the lungs.

Another type of large cell cancer is called adenocarcinoma of the lung.  It occurs in the outer part of the lungs, where the air sacs are. Adenocarcinoma is the most common type of lung cancer.

Some lung cancers are actually from other body areas and have come to the lungs from the bloodstream.  Prostate cancers, colon cancers and liver cancers commonly spread to the lungs.  When cancers come to the lungs from other areas, they are very difficult to treat.

Lung Cancer Definition: Cancer Stages

Lung cancer comes in <a href” http://www.emedicinehealth.com/lung_cancer/article_em.htm”>  four stages.</a>  The stages help doctors know what to expect when it comes to treatment and survival rate.

• Stage 1 means that the cancer has not spread to lymph nodes or other body areas.
• Stage 2 means that the cancer is larger and/or that it has spread to nearby lymph nodes.
• Stage 3 means that the cancer is even larger and had spread to lymph nodes of the chest.
• Stage 4 means that the cancer has spread to other body areas.

Small cell cancer has no stages.  It is defined as either localized or “extensive” disease.  The definition of lung cancer of this type depends on whether the cancer has spread to other body areas or not.  Extensive disease means that the cancer has spread to other body areas and the survival rate is usually less than a year.

Lung cancer is a serious disease to have.  A lung cancer definition is difficult to define, so if you feel you have any symptoms that may come with lung cancer, it is best to see a doctor.  A qualified professional can tell you if you should be tested, and what to do next if you are diagnosed.

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