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Non Small Cell Lung Cancer Research Paper

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Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Research Paper Non-small cell is the most common form of lung cancer. In fact 9 out of 10 cases of lung cancer are non-small cell. The other main type of lung cancer is small cell lung cancer, and together, they are the leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States, surpassing women’s breast cancer in 1987. In 2015, 221,200 people are expected to be diagnosed with some form of lung cancer. After a patient is diagnosed, their life expectancy drastically drops, as patients die on average within one year of being diagnosed. Non-small cell lung cancer accounts for 85% of the fatality rate. There are four stages of non-small cell lung cancer. Non-small cell patients are diagnosed “Stage 1” when the cancer has not …show more content…

These changes are “invisible” on an x-ray, as the disease does not initially develop in the form of a tumor like mass. Through the process of metastasis, cancerous cells split, and easily spread through other parts of the body through the lymph system undetected. The lymph system is very similar to veins, however they carry lymph, a clear fluid made of bodily waste. When cancerous cells penetrate this network, the disease can be easily spread at a fast rate. The more the cancer has spread, the less the survival rate. If non-small cell lung cancer is detected in patients early, the survival rate is around 49%. However if the cancer has progressed to “Stage 4” and become spread and advanced before detection, the survival rate is only a mere 1%, which results in almost certain …show more content…

Symptoms include, a persistent cough, chest pain, a hoarse voice, weight loss, coughing up blood, shortness of breath, feeling tired or weak, infection, and wheezing. These symptoms can be attributed to a localized non-small cell lung cancer. If the cancer has spread and advanced, patients can experience bone pain, nervous system changes, yellowing of skin, or lumps near the surface of the skin. Even though there are so many symptoms and signs of the disease, it is very hard for doctors to diagnose patients with precancerous changes in the lungs, or with localized lung cancer. Some screening tests are in place, however the tests are still the phases of clinical trials, and accuracy is very limited.
Non-small cell lung cancer can be detected and diagnosed by doctors performing imaging tests, such as a chest x-ray, CT scan, MRI scan, PET scan, or a bone scan. These tests produce visual images of internal organs and body structures in various dimensions. If the doctor sees an unknown anomaly, additional tests can be ordered. These tests, such as sputum cytology (gathering a mucus sample), needle biopsy (gathering a sample of possibly cancerous cells), and thoracentesis (gathering fluid drained from lungs) can be performed to firmly diagnose non-small cell lung

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