Thoracic Facts and Information
Understanding Thoracic and Lung Cancer
What is thoracic cancer?
Thoracic cancer includes many different types of cancer that involve the thorax, or chest region. Lung cancer, the most common type, is the number one cancer killer for both men and women in the United States. However, our team of thoracic cancer experts is trained in all types of thoracic cancer care.
Generally, cancer of any type occurs when abnormal cells in the body grow at an abnormal rate. Cancer is typically named after the organ where it originates, so in the case of lung cancer, abnormal cells in the lungs quickly reproduce and form tumors. The tumors disrupt the lung’s ability to function normally.
Each year, more than 215,000 new cases of lung cancer are diagnosed in the U.S. In Florida in 2008, lung cancer and bronchus cancer were the most frequently reported cancers, with nearly 17,400 cases diagnosed.
At the Florida Hospital Cancer Institute, we’re working to improve the prognosis of lung cancer patients through innovative diagnostics, treatment options and research.
When cells in the lung grow and spread in an uncontrolled fashion, lung cancer has developed. Generally, lung cancer begins in one lung and then travels through lymph and blood vessels to the lymph nodes and other tissues. Lung cancer can also spread or “metastasize” throughout the body to the brain, liver, bones and other organs including the opposite lung. The cause of lung cancer can often be traced to smoking or exposure to environmental hazards like radon or asbestos, but in some cases, the reason for the abnormal cell development is not known. The two main types of lung cancer are non-small cell lung carcinoma (cancer) and small cell lung carcinoma (cancer).
Lung cancer is classified into two categories, with small cell lung cancer being the less common of the two and accounting for approximately 15 to 20 percent of lung cancer cases. Small cell lung cancer is sometimes called “oat cell cancer” or "small cell undifferentiated carcinoma.” While the cancer cells themselves are small, this type of cancer develops rapidly and is capable of quickly spreading to the lymph nodes and other organs. Small cell lung cancer is almost always caused by smoking.
The second of the two lung cancer categories, non-small cell lung cancer is the most common type and accounts for approximately 75 to 80 percent of cases. This type of lung cancer is subdivided into three types:
- Squamous cell carcinoma: Generally linked to a history of smoking, this cancer tends to be centrally located in the lung and is the least likely to metastasize (spread).
- Adenocarcinoma: When a non-smoker develops lung cancer, it is most often this type of cancer, which tends to develop as a small tumor on the outer edges of the lung. This cancer tends to metastasize, and it’s also the most common lung cancer found in women.
- Large-cell carcinoma: Like adenocarcinoma, this cancer has a propensity to travel to other regions of the body; however, large-cell carcinoma often appears as a large tumor that grows quickly and can develop in any part of the lung. It is less common than the other two categories of non-small cell lung carcinomas.
- Bronchioloalveolar carcinoma: These tumors are generally small when diagnosed and account for up to 5 percent of lung cancers. A small proportion of these tumors secrete a hormone-like substance, but they grow and spread slowly and many are detected very early.
Other less common non-cancerous (benign) and cancerous (malignant) tumors can occur in the lungs. Carcinoid tumors, for example, grow slowly and are generally cured with surgery. Mesothelioma, a cancer caused by asbestos exposure, can grow on the surface of the lungs or chest wall.
When cancer spreads to other organs and regions of the body, it’s said to “metastasize.” When any cancer travels to different organs, it is still classified by original cancer type, so for example, a patient with lung cancer that travels to the brain and forms a brain tumor is diagnosed with metastatic lung cancer.
What are the risk factors for lung cancer?
By far, the biggest risk factor for lung cancer is smoking. While approximately eight out of 10 lung cancers are related to smoking, not all smokers develop lung cancer. Still, smoking is not generally a risk worth taking.
In addition to smokers, the following individuals are at risk for developing lung cancer:
· Passive smokers -Persons who are regularly exposed to cigarette or
cigar smoke – so- called “second-hand smoke” – but do not smoke
themselves
· Prior lung disease - Persons with history of lung disease, such as lung
cancer or emphysema
· Work exposure - Workers exposed to environmental hazards, such as
asbestos, chromium, etc.
· Radon exposure - Anyone exposed to radon
· Family history - Persons who have family members with lung cancer are
at increased personal risk, especially if they smoke
In its earliest stages, lung cancer may not cause any noticeable symptoms, but early- and later-stage lung cancer symptoms can include:
· Persistent cough
· Wheezing
· Shortness of breath
· Change in sputum color and volume
· Persistent lung infection
· Coughing up blood
· Hoarseness
· Persistent chest, shoulder or back pain unrelated to pain from coughing
· Fatigue
· Loss of appetite and weight
· Bone pain and aching joints
· Neck and facial swelling
When symptoms are present and you have a high-risk medical history that includes long-term exposure to cigarette smoke, an appointment should be made with a doctor to discuss lung cancer screening. In addition, if you do not have any apparent symptoms but you have a long history of smoking and/or other risk factors, you should speak with your physician about early screening.
If you smoke, quit. Florida Hospital offers support groups for smokers who want to quit. If you don’t smoke, don’t start. In addition, limit your exposure to second-hand smoke and other environmental hazards, such as asbestos and radon.
It’s never too late to quit smoking and enjoy the benefits of quitting. Some benefits, like improved breath and taste sensations, will be evident rather quickly. But most importantly, after 15 years off cigarettes, the risk of death for ex-smokers returns to nearly the level of persons who have never smoked. In addition, unless you smoked 20 or more cigarettes per day for 20 years or more, your risk of lung cancer is cut in half after only five years of not smoking!
