New Discoveries in Lung Cancer

DISCOVERIES IN LUNG CARCINOMAS 2

Lung cancer has long been viewed as an aggressive and progressive disease with

few treatment options and a poor prognosis. Because most patients present with

advanced stage disease, the five year survival rate is 16%. However, if detected

early, the rate is as high as 53%.

Unfortunately only 15% of bronchial tumors are detected at an early stage. (Am.

Ca. ) Lung cancer continues to be the leading cause of death in both men and

women.

In 2011, there were approximately 221,130 new cases of lung cancer. Of these,

156,940 cases will result in death. (Am. Ca. Soc.)

Several areas of research in the advancement of lung cancer treatments include,

Molecular targeted therapies, the use of cardiac hormones to inhibit the growth of

tumors, and the use of photodynamic therapy combined with aspirn to induce

apoptosis in lung tumors. These advancements may lead to improved survival rates

and quality of life for patients with lung cancer.

Lung carcinomas occur as a result of repetitive insults to the bronchial mucosa.

“The sequential accumulation of genetic mutations includes formation of oncogenes

that results in secretion of tumor growth- supporting factors, an increase in the

number of growth factor receptors, and increase in the number of growth factor

receptors on cancer cells, loss of activity of tumor suppressor genes, the reordering

of chromosomal sequences that lead to unregulated cell division, and the increased

production of angiogenesis and tumor invasion factors.” ( patho book. P 1300)

Cigarette smoke is considered the greatest risk factor for developing lung cancer.

DISCOVERIES IN LUNG CARCINOMAS 3

Tobacco contains over 20 carcinogens ( patho, p 1303). Other risk factors include both

occupational and environmental exposure to...