Lung cancer

Lung cancer is the growth of malignant bronchi cells. It is one of the most common and also dangerous human illnesses of our time.

What is the cause for lung cancer?

The cause for lung cancer is a change of the bronchi tissue or in other words an uncontrolled cell-growth in this area. The mucous membrane holds extra cells which are pluripotent - meaning they have the ability to produce different kinds of cells, such as the cells of the surface area (epithelium); mucous producing cells (Goblet cells and Clara cells) and hormone producing cells (neuroendocrine cells). If these cells are disposed to inflammable irritations or cancer causing substances they can deform and therewith change the bronchi tissue (Metaplasia) into a tumor. The different kinds of cells produce different kinds of cancers.

• Squamous cell carcinoma is diagnosed in 25-40% of the cases and is therefore the most frequent lung cancer with a death-ratio of 80%. The tumor is caused by the changing of the epithelium cells. The spreading and growing of Metastases to close-by Lymph nodes is quick whereas the tumor grows slowly.

• Adenocarcinoma also has a diagnosis rate of 25-40%. The sources of its cause are the mucous producing cells. The tumor usually sits in the area of the outer lung. The Metastases enter the lymphatic and blood stream and quickly spread to the brain, the liver and the adrenal glands. Toxins (as in smoking) don't seem to be the reason for this type of lung cancer, while being a definite risk factor of the other forms of cancer.

• Small cell lung cancer occurs in 20-25% of the cases. This cancer usually sits in the central part of the lung. It is generated by the hormone producing cells. This could lead to an over-production of hormones, which would in turn affect the metabolism. These cells metastasize so quickly by entering the lymphatic and blood stream that secondary tumours have already located themselves in the brain, the liver and the adrenal glands before the cancer itself is discovered.

• Big cell lung cancer is a seldom diagnosed form of cancer (10-15%). This cancer probably originates from the cells of the surface area (epithelium) and the mucous producing cells. But this is only assumed since definite classification under the microscope is not possible. The cancer metastasizes to the brain, the liver, the bones and the adrenal glands.

Risk factors:

• Risk factor No. 1 is smoking. Lung cancer is connected to smoking in nearly 85% of the cases.
• No. 2 is radon. A radioactive chemical element.
• The following are known to be cancer-causing: Asbestos; Uranium; Chromium-compounds; sulfur mustards; polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; Nickel.