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Non-small cell lung cancer

Description

An in-depth report on the causes, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).


Alternative Names

Lung cancer -  non-small cell; NSCLC


Causes

Cigarette Smoke. Smoking causes 87% of all cases of lung cancer, accounting for 28% of all cancer deaths. Cigarettes, nicotine, or both may contribute to lung cancer in one or more of the following ways:

Tobacco health risks
In general, chronic exposure to nicotine may cause an acceleration of coronary artery disease, peptic ulcer disease, reproductive disturbances, esophageal reflux, hypertension, fetal illnesses and death, and delayed wound healing.

Radon. Radon is a gas produced naturally by the breakdown of uranium. It is often present in the soil and in water and can seep into any dwelling. Radon may be responsible for between 10% and 14% of lung cancer deaths, making it, after smoking, the second leading cause of this cancer.

Other Contributors. Toxic particles leading to precancerous changes in the lung are also found in marijuana. In one study, 53.8% of cigarette smokers, 66.7% of marijuana smokers, and all of those subjects who smoked both substances showed evidence of precancerous changes in the lungs.

There is considerable debate over the lung cancer risk posed by depleted uranium used in military weapons (e.g., in the Gulf and Balkan conflicts). A 2001 study estimated that it would cause an additional 8 deaths from lung cancer out of every 10,000 people or soldiers who were highly exposed to this substance. The study was based on a mathematical model, however, and the issue is not settled.

Other lung carcinogens include asbestos, arsenic, certain petrochemicals (materials made from crude oil or natural gas), and other airborne (carried through the air) byproducts of various mining and manufacturing processes.

Genetic Mutations

Damage to either type of gene can cause a mutation that results in an uncontrolled division of cells. This uncontrolled division forms tumors.

It is unlikely that a single specific abnormality causes all cases of lung cancer. It probably takes a variety of mutations to start the devastating chain of events leading to cancer. The following mutations are among those under investigation:


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