Smoking and lung cancer are directly related. Smoking lung cancer is ten times more likely to kill an individual than lung cancer in non-smokers. The more cigarettes an individual smokes and the longer he she smokes increases the chances of them developing smoking lung cancer. However, the risk of developing lung cancer can be reduced by quitting smoking.
Types of Lung Cancer
There are two types of lung cancer. Small cell and non-small cell. Small cell lung cancer spreads much quicker than non-small cell lung cancer. Non-small cell lung cancer consists of three types. These types are squamous cell carcinoma, ademocarcinoma and large cell carcinoma. Squamous cell carcinoma is more likely to be seen in those who smoke cigarettes that are unfiltered and have high levels of tar, while ademocarcinoma is seen more in individuals who smoke filtered low tar cigarettes.
Signs and Symptoms
There are many signs and symptoms of smoking lung cancer. However, lung cancer is usually advanced before the symptoms occur. The symptoms of smoking lung cancer are chronic cough, persistent cough, or coughing up blood. An increase in mucous production may also occur. When breathing, an individual may experience wheezing, shortness of breath, or chest pain. Some individuals may also be hoarse, lose his or her appetite, and lose weight. Finally, bronchitis and/or pneumonia may develop.
Diagnosis
Smoking lung cancer is very easy to diagnose by your doctor. First, he or she will get a thorough medical history from the patient. The final diagnosis of smoking lung cancer will be determined by a CT scan.
Treatment
Treatment of smoking lung cancer varies from patient to patient. These types are surgery, radiation, chemotherapy or combination therapy, which is a combination of the other three treatments. However, no matter what treatment is chosen, quitting smoking is a must.
Surgery is only chosen as a treatment when the disease is in a limited number of stages. The location of the tumor can also determine whether or not surgery is an option. If surgery is chosen, the tumor will be removed and part of a lobe, a whole lobe or the entire lung may also be removed.
Radiation therapy is an x-ray that kills cancer cells. It can be used to relieve the pain that the tumor causes. Also, it can decrease or eliminate the tumor altogether. Chemotherapy comes in the form of a pill, injection or catheter. Each form consists of a medication that is used to decrease the size of the tumor or eliminates the cancer.
The best way to prevent smoking lung cancer is to not smoke at all. Decreasing the amount that you smoke or switching to a lower tar cigarette does not reduced your chances of getting lung cancer. It only changes the type of lung cancer that you will get. Therefore, not smoking is your best option for not getting smoking lung cancer.
