Lung Cancer: Causes, Symptoms, Biological Consequences

Cancer generally can be defined as out-of-control cell growth.

There are 2 types of tumour, the malignant and the benign tumour. The malignant tumour can spread to other organs of the body, causing secondary tumours to arise. This is more dangerous than a benign tumour which stays at its original location. The process by which a primary tumour is spread in the body to form secondary tumours is called metastasis.

Causes:

Inhalation of carcinogenic substances (x-rays, tobacco, air pollution, chemicals, dust). These are responsible for damaging the DNA. Free radicals form, which want to steal electrons from other body cells and in the process they damage the DNA. Humans can also be born with a predisposition to develop cancer due to a genetic mutation which makes cancer more likely.

Symptoms:

The cancer undermines the lung’s ability to take up oxygen. It tends to block air way paths and tubules. There can also be bleedings. Another sign might be chronic coughing.

• ·         Coughing intensely
• ·         Pain in shoulder or chest
• ·         Changes in coughed up mucus
• ·         Coughing blood
• ·         Chronic pneumonia
• ·         Chronic bronchitis
• ·         Difficulty breathing
• ·         Hoarse voice

Biological consequences:

Cancer can occur in 2 situations: either it can spread through the blood by a process called invasion, destroying healthy tissue, or a cell divides and grows and feeds on blood by a process called angiogenesis.

There is small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

Examples of NSCLC:

• Squamous cell carcinoma:
• ·         Most common
• ·         Most common in men
• ·         Forms in lining of the bronchial tubes

• Ardenocarcinoma:
• ·         Most common in non-smokers
• ·         Most common in women
• ·         Forms in mucus producing glands in the lungs

Sources:

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/info/lung-cancer/symptoms-diagnosis-lung-cancer.php

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=squamous+cell+carcinoma&espv=2&biw=1242&bih=602&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwit_YCJ2K3PAhVFKsAKHVc9BU0Q_AUIBigB#imgrc=MLiJCKzMn8aLuM%3A

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=Adenocarcinoma&espv=2&biw=1242&bih=602&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwizqYyP2K3PAhVqI8AKHR76B6cQ_AUIBigB#imgrc=J2z4VMXs7e_2OM%3A