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What To Know About Small Cell Lung Cancer And Discolored Skin
People with small cell lung cancer (SCLC) may develop hyperpigmentation. This skin change is typically harmless, but people may choose to reduce its appearance with procedures such as laser therapy and retinoids.
SCLC makes up around 15% of lung cancers diagnosed in the United States. In this condition, smaller neuroendocrine cells within the lungs begin to grow in an uncontrolled fashion.
SCLC can lead to ectopic adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) syndrome, which, in turn, can cause hyperpigmentation, a condition in which part or all of the skin becomes darker.
This article explains this link and describes the treatment options available, when to seek medical advice, and the potential outlook for people with SCLC and hyperpigmentation.
SCLC can cause changes in ACTH, a hormone that regulates the production of other hormones, including cortisol and stress hormones. This may lead to conditions such as ectopic ACTH syndrome.
Ectopic describes when something occurs in an abnormal place. ACTH typically comes from the pituitary gland. However, ectopic ACTH syndrome occurs when cells outside the pituitary gland produce ACTH in large quantities.
Changes in ACTH, such as those caused by ectopic ACTH syndrome, can cause hyperpigmentation.
A 2019 article also suggests that ectopic ACTH secretion that occurs alongside SCLC may lead to a worse prognosis. A person should speak with their doctor if they notice new symptoms, such as hyperpigmentation.
Other potential causes of hyperpigmentationAccording to the National Cancer Institute, other potential causes of hyperpigmentation can include:
There is no reliable and recent scientific data concerning the incidence of hyperpigmentation in people with lung cancer.
Researchers in a 2019 article estimate that up to 30% of people with SCLC may develop ectopic ACTH production. This syndrome may cause hyperpigmentation. However, it is not a guaranteed symptom.
Treatment for hyperpigmentation is not necessary if a doctor has confirmed it is harmless. Though, some people may still choose to remove it if they do not like the appearance.
Some potential methods to manage hyperpigmentation include:
Since ectopic ACTH secretion may lead to a worse prognosis for SCLC, anyone who observes recent changes to their skin should contact a doctor.
Additionally, if an individual has any signs of SCLC, they should seek their doctor's advice. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), this can include:
Lung cancer can also spread to other organs, where it may cause a different set of symptoms. People with SCLC should speak with their doctor if they notice any new developments.
SCLC is a serious condition. According to the ACS, the 5-year survival rate for this condition is 30% when the cancer is still within the lungs. However, once it has spread to distant organs or lymph nodes, that figure is 3%.
Ectopic ACTH secretion may cause hyperpigmentation in people with SCLC. These skin changes can make some people feel self-conscious or depressed.
People can speak with a healthcare professional to manage and treat hyperpigmentation if it affects their quality of life.
SCLC occurs when smaller lung cells begin to grow out of control. It can cause a variety of symptoms, most notably affecting the lungs. For instance, some people with SCLC experience a bloody cough, shortness of breath, and wheezing.
Having SCLC can lead to ectopic ACTH syndrome. This is when cells that should not produce the ACTH hormone begin to do so in large volumes. One potential symptom of ectopic ACTH syndrome is hyperpigmentation.
Hyperpigmentation by itself does not cause SCLC to be more aggressive. However, other endocrine problems related to ectopic ACTH syndrome can lead to worse overall outcomes.
Some people may find it hard living with hyperpigmentation. Treatments, including chemical peels and laser therapy, can reduce this skin change.
15 Deadliest Cancers In The U.S.
In this article, we will discuss the 15 deadliest cancers in the U.S. To skip our detailed analysis and recent updates regarding cancer research and the oncology market, go directly to the 5 Deadliest Cancers in the U.S.
Cancer stands as a pervasive, highly destructive, and agonizing disease, with a significant global impact. Cancer, also referred to as malignant tumors or neoplasms, encompasses a diverse range of diseases that can manifest in any region of the body. A key characteristic of the disease is the accelerated formation of abnormal cells that grow beyond their usual boundaries, subsequently infiltrating nearby tissues and potentially spreading to other organs. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for nearly 10 million deaths in 2020, or nearly one in six deaths. According to data presented by the American Cancer Society (ACS), approximately 1.9 million new cancer cases are projected to be diagnosed in the United States in 2023. This estimate does not include basal cell and squamous cell skin cancers, as they are not mandated to be reported to cancer registries, nor does it encompass carcinoma in situ (noninvasive cancer), with the exception of urinary bladder cancer. Additionally, an estimated 609,820 people in the United States will die from cancer in 2023, corresponding to 1670 deaths per day. The most significant causes of death in men are lung, prostate, and colorectal cancers, while in women, the leading causes are lung, breast, and colorectal cancers.
There's also a massive financial cost associated with cancer that's growing rapidly. In 2018, researchers at Penn State College of Medicine reported that the top 15 types of cancer accounted for over $156 billion in costs in the United States. Alarming projections by the National Cancer Institute indicate that the national cancer-attributable cost for medical services and prescription drugs is expected to increase from $183 billion in 2015 to $246 billion by 2030—an increase of 34%.
See also: 25 Best Hospitals for Cancer Treatment in the World
The field of oncology stands as one of the largest and rapidly expanding sectors in biopharmaceutical research and development (R&D). According to Precedence Research, the global oncology market exceeded a value of $203 billion in 2022 and is projected to exhibit a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.8% by 2032, reaching a substantial $470.61 billion. Within this growth trajectory, the hospital segment is anticipated to experience a CAGR of 10.9% during the forecasted period. Notably, in 2021, the diagnostic segment accounted for approximately 47% of the oncology market share. Undoubtedly, the proactive efforts of governmental bodies and non-profit organizations in raising awareness about cancer prevention are anticipated to propel market growth. Notably, the World Health Organization's Global Action Plan for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases strives to reduce premature deaths caused by cancer, cardiovascular diseases, chronic respiratory diseases, and diabetes by approximately 25% by the year 2025.
On the other hand, the field of cancer vaccines has also gained significant global attention. Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) and Moderna, Inc. (NASDAQ:MRNA) have collaborated on a promising vaccine that combines an mRNA cancer vaccine with Moderna's Keytruda®. Phase 2 trials have shown a remarkable 44% reduction in the risk of cancer recurrence or death compared to Keytruda alone. Furthermore, BioNTech SE (NASDAQ:BNTX), a German biotechnology company, and the UK government have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to provide up to 10,000 patients with personalized mRNA-based cancer immunotherapies by 2030. These developments highlight the growing potential and commitment towards advancing cancer treatment through innovative vaccine approaches. For those interested in finding companies that are involved in oncology and vaccine development, you can check out our list of the 11 Most Promising Cancer Stocks According to Analysts.
Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash
Our Methodology
For our list of the 15 deadliest cancers in the U.S., we gathered authoritative data from the American Cancer Society and The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program. We then identified the deadliest cancers based on their expected mortality rates for the current year. The diseases on our list are ranked in ascending order based on the estimated amount of deaths they will cause.
15. MyelomaEstimated Deaths: 12,590
Myeloma, a form of blood cancer, originates from the plasma cells found in the bone marrow. It is commonly referred to as multiple myeloma since the majority of individuals (90%) present with multiple bone lesions at the time of diagnosis. Despite being a relatively uncommon cancer in the United States, with a lifetime risk of developing it only 1 in 132, the American Cancer Society estimates that 35,730 new cases will be diagnosed in 2023.
14. Uterine CancerEstimated Deaths: 13,030
Uterine cancer refers to the abnormal growth of cells within the uterus, resulting in uncontrolled proliferation. There are two primary types of uterine cancer: endometrial cancers and uterine sarcomas. Endometrial cancers originate in the lining of the uterus (endometrium) and comprise approximately 95% of all uterine cancer cases. On the other hand, uterine sarcomas develop in the muscle tissue (myometrium) and represent a less common form of uterine cancer. The fourth most common cancer for women in the United States, it is estimated that around 66,200 people in the United States will be diagnosed with uterine, or endometrial, cancer in 2023.
13. Ovarian CancerEstimated Deaths: 13,270
Ovarian cancer refers to the development of a malignant tumor in either one or both ovaries. Although various types of ovarian cancer exist, the three most prevalent are as follows: the common epithelial type, accounting for approximately 90% of cases, which originates from the outer cells of the ovary; the germ cell type, representing around 4% of cases, which emerges from the cells responsible for egg production; and the rare stromal type, arising from the supportive tissues within the ovary. Ovarian cancer ranks fifth in cancer deaths among women, accounting for more deaths than any other cancer of the female reproductive system. For context, a woman's risk of getting ovarian cancer during her lifetime is about 1 in 78.
12. Kidney CancerEstimated Deaths: 14,890
Kidney cancer is the abnormal growth of cells in a person's kidney tissue. In time, these cells form a mass called a tumor. Kidney cancer is one of the most common cancers in the United States, with more than 76,000 new cases diagnosed each year. The average age of people when they are diagnosed is 64 with most people being diagnosed between ages 65 and 74. Additionally, such cancer is about twice as common in men than in women and it is more common in African Americans, American Indians, and Alaska Natives.
11. Esophageal CancerEstimated Deaths: 16,120
Esophageal cancer, despite being one of the deadliest cancers in the U.S., is also one of the most common. It starts in the tissues of the esophagus, the long muscular tube that moves food from the throat to the stomach. Tumors caused by esophageal cancer may not cause noticeable symptoms until the cancer has spread. More common among men than women, the lifetime risk of esophageal cancer in the United States is about 1 in 125 for males compared to about 1 in 417 in females.
10. Bladder CancerEstimated Deaths: 16,710
Bladder cancer is a common type of cancer that begins in the cells of the bladder. Urothelial carcinoma, also known as transitional cell carcinoma (TCC), is by far the most common type of bladder cancer. In fact, if a patient suffers from bladder cancer, it is almost always expected to be urothelial carcinoma. Among men in the United States, bladder cancer is the eighth most common cause of cancer death. However, the death rate for bladder cancer decreased by over 2% annually from 2016 to 2020. Despite this, it is estimated that around 16,710 deaths from this disease will occur in the United States in 2023.
9. Brain and Spine CancerEstimated Deaths: 16,710
A primary brain or spinal cord tumor is a tumor that starts in the brain or spinal cord. In 2023, an estimated 24,810 adults (14,280 men and 10,530 women) in the United States will be diagnosed with primary cancerous tumors of the brain and spinal cord.
8. Non-Hodgkin LymphomaEstimated Deaths: 20,180
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is a type of cancer that originates in the lymphatic system, which is a part of the body's immune system. Unlike Hodgkin lymphoma, which is characterized by the presence of Reed-Sternberg cells, Non-Hodgkin lymphoma involves the abnormal growth and accumulation of lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell. Although the exact cause of NHL is often unknown, numerous risk factors associated with the disease have been identified, including advanced age, weakened immune system, and infection like HIV. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is one of the most common cancers in the United States, accounting for about 4% of all cancers cases.
7. LeukemiaEstimated Deaths: 23,710
Leukemia encompasses a wide range of cancers affecting the blood cells. The specific type of leukemia is determined by the particular blood cell type that undergoes malignant transformation and the rate at which it proliferates. While leukemia predominantly occurs in adults aged 55 and older, it is also the most prevalent form of cancer among children under the age of 15. Leukemia is the 10th most common cancer in the U.S., accounting for 3.2% of all new cancer cases.
6. Bile Duct CancerEstimated Deaths: 29,380
Bile duct cancer, also known as cholangiocarcinoma, is a rare and aggressive type of cancer that affects the bile ducts. It can occur in different areas of the bile duct system, including the intrahepatic ducts (inside the liver), the perihilar ducts (at the junction where the right and left hepatic ducts merge), or the distal ducts (outside the liver near the small intestine). One of the deadliest cancers in the U.S., about 8,000 people in the country are diagnosed with it each year. This includes both intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile duct cancers.
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Disclosure. None: The 15 Deadliest Cancers in the U.S. is originally published on Insider Monkey
Doctor Warns Of 15 'initial' Symptoms Of Lung Cancer That Require Urgent Medical Attention
GP Dr Colin Tidy revealed the "initial" warnings of lung cancer to report to your doctor.
One in 13 UK males and one in 15 UK females will be diagnosed with lung cancer in their lifetime, Dr Tidy verified.
"Initial" symptoms can include:
Clinical oncologist Neil Bayman, on behalf of Macmillan Cancer Support, said "about 46,400 people are diagnosed with [lung cancer] each year".
There are two main types of lung cancer, non-small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer.
Bayman pointed out that the former (non-small cell lung cancer) is the "most common type".
He elaborated: "About 90 percent of lung cancers are non-small cell lung cancer."
Anyone diagnosed with lung cancer will have their medical team describe the treatments available to them.
Treatment options can lead to side effects, which the specialist will go into detail with you about.
Surgery, for example, involves removing the tumour from the lung, as well as lung tissue.
Cancer Research notes: "Around 15 out of every 100 people (around 15 percent) will survive their cancer for five years or more."
A person's outlook depends on what stage the cancer was diagnosed, as the earlier cancer is detected, the more likely treatment is going to be effective.
If you suspect you might be experiencing symptoms of lung cancer, do book a doctor's appointment.
"Your general health and fitness also affect survival," the charity says. "The fitter you are, the better you may be able to cope with your cancer and treatment."
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