MIS - ROBOTIC - OPEN
LUNG CANCER
An estimated
222,500
new cases
of lung cancer will be diagnosed in the U.S. in 2017.
What is Lung Cancer?
Lung cancer is an uncontrolled growth of cells in your lungs. These cancer cells are stuck in an "on" position resulting in continuously growing and dividing.
Each lung has sections called lobes. The left lung has two lobes. The right lung is slightly larger and has three lobes. Two tubes called bronchi lead from the trachea (windpipe) to the right and left lungs. The bronchi are sometimes also involved in lung cancer. Tiny air sacs called alveoli and small tubes called bronchioles make up the inside of the lungs. This is the typical location of many cancers.
Non-small cell lung cancer
Most cases of lung cancer are called non-small cell. There are a few different types of non-small cell lung cancer. These include squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, and large cell carcinoma.
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Squamous cell carcinoma: Cancer that forms in the thin, flat cells lining the inside of the lungs. This is also called epidermoid carcinoma.
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Large cell carcinoma: Cancer that may begin in several types of large cells.
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Adenocarcinoma: Cancer that begins in the cells that line the alveoli and make substances such as mucus.
KEY POINTS
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Non-small cell lung cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the lung.
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There are several types of non-small cell lung cancer.
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Smoking is the major risk factor for non-small cell lung cancer.
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Signs of non-small cell lung cancer include a cough that doesn't go away and shortness of breath.
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Tests that examine the lungs are used to detect (find), diagnose, and stage non-small cell lung cancer.
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If lung cancer is suspected, a biopsy is done.
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Certain factors affect prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options.
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For most patients with non-small cell lung cancer, current treatments do not cure the cancer.
Understanding Lung Surgery