The evolution of non-small cell lung cancer metastases in TRACERx
Adenocarcinoma Lung Cancer
Researchers identified two main types of lung cancer: small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), which is the most common type. Adenocarcinoma (also known as adenocarcinoma lung cancer or lung adenocarcinoma) is the most common type of NSCLC. While NSCLC accounts for 85% of all lung cancer cases, 40% of diagnoses are due to adenocarcinoma, which can cause symptoms like chronic cough and shortness of breath, among others.
Adenocarcinoma is a term for cancers that develop from cells in your glands, which are organs that release substances like mucus, hormones, and digestive juices. Lung adenocarcinoma occurs when cancer forms in glandular cells in the lungs called epithelial cells, which produce mucus. These cells are located in the outer part of the lungs.
This cancer is also the most commonly diagnosed type of lung cancer in people with no history of smoking. While adenocarcinoma lung cancer is common, it tends to grow and spread much slower than other non-small cell lung cancers. Fortunately, this means you can get a diagnosis before cancer cells spread to other parts of the body.
Similar to most other types of cancer, lung adenocarcinoma often doesn't cause symptoms in the early stages. But when symptoms do occur, they may cause: Unfortunately, these symptoms can mimic symptoms of other conditions, so it's easy to misdiagnose them early on or miss them entirely. However, as cancer cells spread, you may develop even more symptoms, such as: Pain or weakness in the shoulders Bone and joint pain Coughing up blood Jaundice Swollen lymph nodes Facial drooping Swelling of the face, arms, neck, and upper chest Difficulty swallowing Headaches Numbness in the arms and legs Over the years, researchers have identified several genes associated with lung cancer, including the TP53, KRAS, and EGFR genes. A mutation (change) in the genes that control cell growth, division, or repair of damaged DNA can sometimes lead to the development of cancer. But, environmental factors combined with genetic influences can determine your risk of developing cancer. Risk Factors Anyone can develop adenocarcinoma lung cancer, but some people are at a higher risk of experiencing the condition. Consider the following risk factors: Tobacco intake: 80% of all lung cancer deaths are related to smoking cigarettes, pipes, menthols, and vapes Exposure to radon gas: Radon is a radioactive gas found in soil, rocks, and water, but can enter indoor areas and build up, causing harmful effects Secondhand smoke: Even if you don't smoke, being near people or in places where smoking is occurring can increase your risk of inhaling the toxins from tobacco However, other factors may also increase your risk of developing this condition, such as: Age under 45 years old Being assigned female at birth Exposure to asbestos HIV infection Taking beta-carotene supplements A family history of lung cancer Drinking water that contains arsenic Working with or living near chemicals like coal products, nickel chromates, and vinyl chloride Using products that contain formaldehyde and chloride If you're experiencing symptoms of adenocarcinoma or have been feeling unwell lately, it's important to see your healthcare provider for a proper diagnosis. Your healthcare provider will first ask about your symptoms, medical history, and lifestyle habits and perform a physical exam. If they suspect cancer, they can order one or more of the following exams to confirm a diagnosis: Computed tomography (CT scan): Checks for the presence of suspicious lung nodules, tumors, and other abnormalities in the lungs Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): Uses magnetic fields and computer-generated radio waves to create detailed images of the lungs to check for tumors and how far cancer cells have spread Positron emission tomography (PET scan): Creates three-dimensional (3D) images of the body to look for signs of disease Needle thoracentesis: Collects fluid around the lung to check for the presence of cancer cells Bone scan: Involves an injection of a low-level radioactive substance into your blood to determine if cancer has spread to the bones Lung biopsy: Takes a sample of your lung tissue to examine it under a microscope to look for the presence of cancer cells Stages of Lung Adenocarcinoma If your healthcare team finds that you have lung adenocarcinoma, you may need further testing to determine the size of the tumor, whether cancer cells have spread, and how far the cancer has metastasized (spread) in the body. This helps determine what stage of cancer you are in. The stages of lung cancer are as follows: Stage 0: Cancer cells have not spread past the lung's outer lining Stage I: Cancer cells are limited, localized, and have not spread to any lymph nodes Stage II: Cancer cells have spread to nearby lymph nodes Stage III: Cancer cells have spread to faraway lymph nodes or nearby tissues Stage IV: Cancer cells have spread to other organs of the body, such as the liver, brain, or the other lung Treatment for adenocarcinoma lung cancer depends on your symptoms, what stage of the disease you're in, and your overall condition and needs. Your healthcare team will discuss your options and may recommend a combination of the following treatments: Chemotherapy to prevent cancer cells from spreading Radiation therapy to kill or shrink cancer cells Immunotherapy to help your immune system recognize and attack cancer cells Surgery to remove the tumor (in early stages) Targeted therapy to work against genetic abnormalities There is no foolproof way to prevent adenocarcinoma lung cancer, but adopting the following strategies may help reduce your risk of this condition: Consider quitting smoking or reach out to your healthcare provider if you need support Avoid exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke Adopt a diet filled with more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains Get your home checked for radon Use personal protective equipment and increase ventilation in the room when handling formaldehyde Limit exposure to other potential cancer-causing agents like asbestos and arsenic Lung adenocarcinoma and its treatment can sometimes cause complications. But if you receive a diagnosis earlier, the risk of complications is generally lower. Some common complications that may be associated with this type of cancer include: Injury to the phrenic nerve: The phrenic nerve plays a vital role in respiration (breathing), as it causes the diaphragm to contract and expand. Damage to this nerve may occur during a lung cancer surgery, causing paralysis of the diaphragm. Infections: Lung cancer treatments like chemotherapy can weaken the immune system, increasing the risk of infections. Respiratory failure: Lung cancer tumors can sometimes put pressure on the lungs, cause inflammation, or block the airways, which can all impair the function of your respiratory system. Learning you have adenocarcinoma lung cancer can spur on different emotions, which can be challenging to deal with. There is no right or wrong way to process this diagnosis, and it's normal to feel however you feel. But, there are some things you can do to live well with your condition. Consider the following strategies: Take charge of your healthcare by working with your healthcare team, speaking up, asking questions, and researching more about your conditions Communicate your feelings and experiences with your loved ones Find ways to express your thoughts, such as writing in a journal or joining a support group Make any lifestyle changes your healthcare provider recommends to help manage your condition Learn stress management techniques (such as yoga or meditation) Be open to discussing anything on your mind, including difficult topics like end-of-life decisions Remind yourself to seek out and accept care from your healthcare team and loved ones It may be helpful to know that healthcare providers are getting better at diagnosing and treating these conditions, and more clinical trials are being carried out to discover devices, drugs, and therapies that may work better for treating different cancers. Non-small cell lung cancer is treatable, so following your treatment plan can help improve symptoms and your overall quality of life.Thanks for your feedback!
An Overview Of The Types Of Lung Cancer
The two main types of lung cancer are small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, there are various other subtypes and rarer types.
Lung cancer starts in the lungs or the main airways and leads to uncontrolled cell growth. This can cause tumors to form. While anyone can get lung cancer, the risk is much higher for smokers and those experiencing exposure to secondhand smoke, certain chemicals, or toxins.
In the United States, lung cancer is a leading cause of cancer deaths.
This article explores the main types of lung cancer, including their definitions, prevalence, causes, subtypes, and treatments.
Approximately 15% of all lung cancers are SCLC. This type forms part of a group of cancers that originate from neuroendocrine cells, including neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). These are rare tumors that develop in cells of the neuroendocrine system, which is responsible for hormone production.
SCLC is known for its aggressive nature and rapid growth. It tends to spread quite early on.
CausesThe main cause of SCLC is smoking. It is rare among non-smokers. Other contributing factors may include exposure to carcinogens and a family history of cancer.
While smoking is the largest known risk factor, there are people with an SCLC diagnosis who have never smoked. There are a few known risk factors for non-smokers, though women who are non-smokers are much more likely than male non-smokers to have an SCLC diagnosis.
Carcinogens are substances capable of causing cancer.
SCLC begins in the bronchi, one of the main air passages in the lungs.
SubtypesThere are two subtypes of SCLC: oat cell carcinoma and combined SCLC.
TreatmentTreatment largely depends on the stage of SCLC. Due to its aggressive nature, doctors often treat it with:
NSCLC is a term describing a group of several subtypes of lung cancer. It is the most common type, accounting for approximately 80 to 85% of all lung cancer cases.
Symptoms of NSCLC include a persistent cough and shortness of breath.
CausesThe primary causes of NSCLC include exposure to carcinogens such as:
Genetic factors and a history of lung diseases can also increase the risk.
SubtypesNSCLC includes several subtypes that originate from different types of lung cells, including:
Treatment options for NSCLC include:
The choice of treatment depends on the stage of cancer and a person's overall health.
Pancoast tumors, also known as superior sulcus tumors, are a rare form of lung cancer, accounting for approximately 5% of lung cancer cases. They start developing at the top of the lungs.
The tumor invades nearby areas, such as the ribs and spine. The majority of Pancoast tumors are a type of NSCLC.
CausesThe primary risk factors include smoking and exposure to industrial chemicals or asbestos. Pancoast tumors may also occur from other diseases, such as lymphoma or tuberculosis.
TreatmentTreatment for Pancoast tumors usually involves a combination of radiation therapy and surgery. Doctors may also recommend chemotherapy if the cancer has spread.
Carcinoid tumors of the lung are very rare, accounting for less than 2% of all lung cancers. They tend to grow slowly and are more common in younger people.
Approximately 80% of these tumors occur centrally in the lung, while 20% are in other parts of the body.
CausesThe exact cause of carcinoid tumors is unclear, though research suggests a potential link to smoking. Genetic factors and family history can also play a role.
SubtypesCarcinoid tumors divide into two subcategories: typical and atypical.
Typical carcinoids tend to grow slowly and rarely spread beyond the lungs. Atypical carcinoids tend to grow faster and are more likely to spread.
TreatmentSurgical removal is the primary treatment for carcinoid tumors. Depending on the case, doctors may also consider radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
To determine the type of lung cancer a person has, doctors use several diagnostic tests, including:
These tests can identify the specific cause, type, and subtype of cancer, which helps doctors recommend the best treatment options.
In this section, we answer some frequently asked questions about lung cancer.
What is the most aggressive form of lung cancer?Healthcare professionals consider SCLC to be the most aggressive form due to its rapid growth and tendency to spread early.
What is slow-growing lung cancer called?Carcinoid tumors are known for their slow growth, so doctors consider them a type of slow-growing lung cancer.
What are the three main types of lung cancer?The three main types of lung cancer:
Life expectancy varies greatly depending on the type and stage of lung cancer at diagnosis, the patient's overall health, and response to treatment. Early stage lung cancers have a more positive outlook, while lung cancers at an advanced stage usually have a lower survival rate.
Gene changes in the cancer cells can also affect life expectancy.
Lung cancer has various types and subtypes, each with distinct characteristics, risk factors, and treatment options.
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common type of lung cancer, followed by small cell lung cancer (SCLC), which is more aggressive.
Pancoast tumors and carcinoid tumors represent rarer forms with specific treatment strategies. Early detection and accurate diagnosis are crucial in managing lung cancer effectively.
Incredible Hope For Lung Cancer Patients As Doctors Reveal New Drugs Are Adding Years To People's Lives
New drug treatments have offered incredible hope for lung cancer patients as doctors say they can add years to eligible people's lives.
The new set of targeted and immune-boosting drugs can add months or even years to life expectancy according to results released this weekend at the American Society of Clinical Oncology conference in Chicago.
Dr. Angela DeMichele, a medical oncologist at Penn Medicine, told The Wall Street Journal: 'It had such an abysmal prognosis. And now we have people who are being cured who we never thought would be cured.'
Among the new treatment options are AstraZeneca's Tagrisso and Imfinzi and Pfizer's Lorbrena.
The drugs are all approved by the Food and Drug Administration and are in use to treat even the most notoriously resistant forms of lung cancer.
Matt Hiznay was diagnosed with stage-four lung cancer in 2011 and has been on Lorbrena for nine years
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among men and women in the US, killing some 125,000 Americans each year.
For decades it has been considered a death sentence, but the new treatments suggest that is changing.
Tagrisso can contain lung cancer for nearly three years longer than chemotherapy and radiation alone for some stage-three patients, according to one of the new studies.
Immunotherapy drug Imfinzi can extend some patients with aggressive lung cancer lives by nearly two years.
And a third study presented at the conference found that 60 percent of advanced patients were still alive five years after taking Lorbrena compared to just 8 percent of patients on an older drug.
Dr. David Spigel, chief scientific officer at Sarah Cannon Research Institute in Tennessee, said: 'These results are really outstanding. A really major step forward in lung-cancer care.'
Matt Hiznay, from Ohio, was diagnosed with stage-four lung cancer in 2011 and has been on Lorbrena for nine years.
After trying a series of older treatments, he joined a trial for Lorbrena in 2015 and has been on it ever since.
A study presented at the conference found that 60 percent of advanced patients were still alive five years after taking Lorbrena compared to just 8 percent of patients on an older drug
Tagrisso can contain lung cancer nearly three years longer than chemotherapy and radiation alone for some stage-three patients, according to one of the new studies
He has earned his doctorate, got married and had a daughter.
He told The Journal: 'It became a bit easier to see the future again.'
Dr. Lecia Sequist, a lung-cancer specialist at Mass General Cancer Center, said the results show how far cancer treatment has come.
She said: 'It's like Dorothy looking around and saying we're not in Kansas anymore.'
Despite the progress, researchers say there is still a long way to go. Often the cancer comes back and becomes incurable, or the cancer is caught too late to be treatable in the first place.
But Dr. Lauren Averett Byers, a lung-cancer oncologist at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, told The Journal: 'To see something where we're measuring benefit in years versus months is a huge step in the right direction.'
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