Non-Small-Cell Lung Carcinoma (NSCLC) is The Most Common Form of Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is one of the most serious forms that cancer can take. Among lung cancer, the most common is non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). Around 85% of diagnosed lung cancer cases are one of the forms of cancers which make up non-small-cell lung carcinoma.  

There are three different kinds of NSCLC that people can get. The most common is Adenocarcinoma. The second is squamous cell carcinoma. The final type is simply known as large cell carcinoma. NSCLCcancer is like other forms of cancer in that it follows the staging process from stage I up to stage IV. There are specific risk factors that can suggest a person may be at risk for developing NSCLC. Learn to identify symptoms early so that treatment can begin quickly. 

Causes and Risk Factors of NSCLC

Like most cancers, a specific cause is hard to outline for non-small-cell lung carcinoma. There are however many different risk factors which show a higher incidence of getting NSCLC. Many of the risk factors can be intuited as it’s a form of lung cancer. Some of the risk factors include: 

• Smoking - By far, smoking is the most serious and troublesome risk factor for NSCLC. People who smoke in any form are more likely to get cancer. It’s been shown that risk increases 10 times versus people who don’t smoke. Being exposed to secondhand smoke is also a serious risk. Stopping smoking will very quickly drop the risk of lung cancer and many other issues. 
• Toxic Compounds - MAny jobs can potentially expose people to toxic compounds like chromium, nickel, asbestos, beryllium and others. Breathing any in is a sure risk factor. 
• Radiation Exposure - Radiation exposure comes in many forms. Some people may get exposed through body scans like repeated CT scans. Radiation from nuclear accidents can be a factor. People undergoing radiation therapy for another issue may be at risk. Some people can be exposed to Radio. 
• Air Pollution - People who live in areas which have a very high level of air pollution face an elevated risk. 
• Family History - If other people in a family have gotten NSCLC, it’s more likely that others will. 
• Age - This is one of the biggest risk factors for all people. Quite simply, as a person ages, they are more likely to get cancer. 

Symptoms of NSCLC

It’s hard to catch lung cancer in the earliest form. This is because the symptoms don’t show up very early during the development of lung cancer. It’s more likely for lung cancer to be caught as a result of looking for something else. As the disease advances, so do the symptoms. They include: 

• Chest Pain
• Hoarseness In the Voice
• Persistent Cough That Won’t Stop
• Coughing Up Blood
• Unexpected and Unexplained Weight Loss
• Headaches
• Bone Pain
• Shortness of Breath

Treatment of NSCLC

Unlike some other cancers, non-small-cell lung carcinoma is one which can be resistant to chemotherapy. While it may still be attempted, it’s possible that it will be less effective than other options. Chemotherapy is still used before and after operations to try to limit the cancer and avoid allowing it to spread. 

Surgery is often one of the preferred methods. There are a variety of different surgeries that remove a different amount of the lung. A wedge resection removes a very small part of the lung with the tumor and a buffer of tissue. Segmental resection takes a larger portion. A lobectomy removed the entire lobe of a lung. Finally, a Pneumonectomy is the case where an entire lung is removed. Sometimes with surgeries, the lymph nodes in the area will also be removed. They will be examined for cancer and the potential it has used the lymph nodes to spread. 

In cases where cancer has spread beyond the lungs, surgery isn’t enough. As mentioned, chemotherapy is used, but isn’t always the most effective treatment. Radiation therapy will use high powered beams of energy to eliminate cancer cells in targeted bursts. There are also potential other therapy options including targeted drug therapy, immunotherapy, and radiosurgery.