Small Cell Lung Cancer Symptoms

Lung Cancer and Small Cell Lung Cancer

Lung cancer happens when the cells of the lung tissue reproduce and grows uncontrollably. The fast growth and reproduction of the lung cells may lead to metastasis which involves proliferation of the abnormal cells beyond the lung tissue. Lung cancer is one of the most common causes of cancer-deaths among men and women. The two types of lung cancer are the non-small cell carcinoma and the small cell carcinoma.

The non-small cell carcinoma type of lung cancer has 3 subtypes. These are the adenocarcinoma, squamous cell lung carcinoma and large cell lung carcinoma. The proliferation of the cancer cells starts at the central bronchus. The causes of non small cell lung cancer are smoking, second-hand tobacco smoke inhalation, exposure to Radon and Uranium, and exposure to Asbestos.

The small cell carcinoma is the most dangerous and aggressive type of carcinoma because the proliferation and growth of the cancer cells is rapid. Although it only accounts 15% of the lung cancer cases, it carries the worst prognosis because it is very metastatic (fast proliferation of cancer cells beyond lung tissue) in nature. The small cancer cells grow rapidly on the breathing tubes (bronchi) and spreads rapidly to other parts of the body including the bone and brain.

The main small lung cancer symptoms include cough, Hemoptysis (coughing up blood), shortness of breath, and chest pain during deep breathing. The symptoms are due to the local growth of the cancer cells on the lung tissues and the airway tubes. As the cancer cells proliferate on the breathing tube, the passage of air is blocked resulting to shortness of breath.

When cancer cell proliferation metastasize to nearby areas around the lungs or other organs, the symptoms may progress to: voice hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, swelling of the face and hands, headache, nausea, paralysis, bone pain, loss of appetite and many more. The small cell lung cancer symptoms are mostly attributed to smoking. Smoking is therefore the number one culprit for small cell lung cancer type. Lung cancer may be prevented by quitting smoke or not smoking at all.

For all types of cancer, cancer screening is very important for both men and women. Experts suggest that routine screening must be done in order to detect cancer at an early stage and interventions will be made promptly to prevent the disease from progressing to critical stage. All types of cancer may be hereditary in nature or lifestyle-related. It is therefore important to modify lifestyle early in order to prevent the occurrence of cancer. If cancer is hereditary in nature, lifestyle modification is also important in order to lessen the chance of acquiring cancer.

Additionally, check out Chics Online, a great site for stories and support groups involving children diagnosed and under treatment for cancer.