Cells are the building blocks of life. We understand very well that cells grow, divide, and multiply with the need of the body to keep it hale and healthy. Occasionally the cells will divide among themselves even though there is no need to multiply, and the mass of extra cells forms tumor or cancer. An unchecked and rapid growth of lung cells is called lung cancer. Lung cancer can be caught in two forms, non-small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer.

Lung cancer has been categorized based upon the morphology of the cells as seen under a microscope. Each type of the lung cancer has its own method of treatment since they spread in different ways.

The regularly occurring lung cancer is non-small lung cancer, which grows and spreads slowly. The three major kinds of non-small cell lung cancer are large cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma.

Instances of small cell lung cancer are not so common as that of non-small lung cancer. This type of lung cancer spreads rapidly and may affect different organs of the body. This type of lung cancer is also known as oat cell cancer.

Recently, lung cancer was recognized as the deadliest form of cancer in many developed nations. It's estimated that 170,000 people die from the disease each year in the United States. Changes within the lung can begin almost immediately upon exposure to carcinogens, but lung cancer can take years to develop.

The main cause of the lung cancer is the inhalation of the carcinogens through cigarette smoke by both smokers and non-smokers. The risk of lung cancer greatens when there is an environmental exposure to radon compounded with smoking. Aside from this, lung cancer is considered to be an occupational hazard among the people who are working in asbestos industry, which is known as mesothelioma lung cancer.

Lung cancer is most prevalent in people over fifty who have been smoking for many years. Lung cancer symptoms may vary based upon the location of the tumor in the lungs. Patients may suspect lung cancer when they suffer with chronic cough, wheezing, chest pain and recurring lung infections.

The preliminary diagnosis of lung cancer can easily be done by an experienced health care professional. This is based on symptoms, smoking history, medical history, earlier family history of lung cancer and exposure to occupational and environmental risk factors. A second series of tests is performed to confirm the diagnosis. These can include a chest x-ray, which will diagnose small cell or non-small cell lung cancer and gauge the stage to which the cancer has developed. Medical professionals can also confirm whether or not the cancer is localized in the lung or has spread to other parts of the body.

Lung cancer is treated by three methods: chemotherapy (in which cancer cells can be eliminated by medication), radiation therapy (eradicating the cancer cells with high-dose x-rays or other high-energy rays) and surgery (removal of the cancerous tumor). It's considered difficult to treat advanced stage lung cancer, but early stage cancer can be treated with moderate success.

Prevention is always better than a cure, so of course it's best to avoid tobacco use. Stopping smoking is the best way to reduce your chances of having lung cancer. Kick the habit today and you can gradually decrease your lung cancer risk over 10 to 15 years as your lungs recover. Ambrose Hutson