What is lung cancer?
The lungs
Lobes
-Lungs are 2 sponge-like organs found in chest
-Right lung is divided into 3 sections - called lobes
-Left lung has 2 lobes
-The left lung is smaller because the heart takes up more room on that side of the body.
Brochi and alveloi
-The lungs bring oxygen into the body as you breathe in.
-They release carbon dioxide, a waste product of the body’s cells, as you breathe out.
-Two tubes called bronchi lead from the trachea (windpipe) to the right and left lungs.
-Tiny air sacs called alveoli and small tubes called bronchioles make up the inside of the lungs.
The lungs
Pleural cavity
-A thin membrane called the pleura covers the outside of each lung and lines the inside wall of the chest cavity
-This creates a sac called the pleural cavity
-The pleural cavity normally contains a small amount of fluid that helps the lungs move smoothly in the chest when you breathe.
Lymphatic system of the lungs
Lymph nodes:
-Small, bean-shaped collections of immune system cells
-Connected by lymphatic vessels
Immune system cells: Cells that are important in fighting infections
Lymphatic system of the lungs
Lymphatic vessels
-are like small veins, except that they carry a clear fluid called lymph (instead of blood) away from the lungs.
Lymph
-contains tissue fluid and waste products, as well as immune system cells.
Lymphatic system of the lungs
-Lung cancer cells can enter lymphatic vessels and begin to grow in lymph nodes around the bronchi and in the mediastinum (the area between the 2 lungs).
-When lung cancer cells have reached the lymph nodes, they are more likely to have spread to other organs of the body as well.
-The stage of the cancer and decisions about treatment are based on whether or not the cancer has spread to the nearby lymph nodes in the mediastinum.
Lung cancer
-Lung cancer happens when normal cells in the lungs change into abnormal cells and grow out of control
-There are different types of lung cancer. Some types grow much faster than others
Lung cancer - Types
There are 2 major types of lung cancer:
-Small cell lung cancer (SCLC)
-Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
If a lung cancer has characteristics of both types it is called a mixed small cell/large cell cancer. This is uncommon.
These 2 types of lung cancer are treated very differently.
Small cell
-The cells of small cell lung cancer look small under a microscope.
- About 1 of every 8 people with lung cancer has small cell lung cancer.
Non-small cell
-The cells of non-small cell lung cancer are larger than the cells of small cell lung cancer.
-Most (about 7 of every 8) people diagnosed with lung cancer have non-small cell lung cancer.
-It doesn’t grow and spread as fast as small cell lung cancer.
Lung cancer - Stages
The stage of lung cancer depends mainly on
-The size of the lung tumor
-How deeply the tumor has invaded nearby tissue, such as the chest wall
-Whether lung cancer cells have spread to lymph nodes or other parts of the body
Stages of Non-small Cell Lung Cancer
-Doctors describe the stages of non-small cell lung cancer using the Roman numerals I, II, III, and IV.
-Stage I is early-stage cancer, and Stage IV is advanced cancer that has spread to other parts of the body, such as the bones.
Stage 0 Lung Tumor
-Abnormal cells are found only in the innermost lining of the lung. The tumor has not grown through this lining. It is not an invasive cancer.
Stage I Lung Cancer
-The lung tumor is an invasive cancer. It has grown through the innermost lining of the lung into deeper lung tissue. The tumor is surrounded by normal tissue, and it doesn't invade nearby tissues, such as the chest wall.
-The tumor is no more than 5 cm (about 2 inches) across. Cancer cells are not found in nearby lymph nodes.
Stage I Lung Cancer
Stage II Lung Cancer
-The lung tumor is smaller than 7 cm across, and cancer cells are found in nearby lymph nodes.
Or, cancer cells are not found in nearby lymph nodes. The lung tumor is more than 5 cm across, or it invades nearby tissues, such as the chest wall, diaphragm, pleura, main bronchus, or tissue that surrounds the heart. More than one malignant tumor may be found within the same lobe of the lung.
Stage II Lung Cancer
Stage III Lung Cancer
-The tumor may be any size. More than one malignant tumor may be found within the lung.
-Cancer cells may be found in lymph nodes on either side of the chest or the neck. The tumor may have invaded nearby organs, such as the heart, esophagus, or trachea.
Stage IV Lung Cancer
-Malignant tumors are found in both lungs.
-Or, the lung cancer has spread to other parts of the body, such as the brain, bones, liver, or adrenal glands.
-Or, cancer cells are found in fluid between the two layers of pleura
Stages of Small Cell Lung Cancer
Most doctors describe the stages of small cell lung cancer with two stages:
-Limited stage: Cancer is found only on one side of the chest.
-Extensive stage: Cancer is found in the lung and also in tissues on the other side of the chest.
Or, lung cancer is found in distant organs, such as the brain, or in fluid between the two layers of pleura.
Diagnosis of salivary gland cancer
The following tests and procedures may be used to diagnose salivary gland cancer
Physical exam and history
-MRI
-CT scan
-PET scan
-Ultrasound exam
-Endoscopy
-Biopsy
Head and neck cancer staging
-Head and neck cancer staging involves both the size of the tumor and whether or not it has spread to other parts of the body such as the lymph nodes.
-Staging helps doctor to determine whether or not to try a particular treatment.
-Stages of head and neck cancer start at 0 and go up to 4 (I–IV)
-Generally, a lower number means the cancer has spread less. A higher number means the cancer has spread more.
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