Lung Cancer
The Genetics of Lung Cancer
Catherine Hayworth
BIO 355A/357A
June 14, 2012
Colorado Christian University
Cancer can be one of the hardest battles that one must face, whether that battle is lost or won, it changes the lives of everyone involved. Lung cancer is one of the most diagnosed cancers and it affects the lining of the lungs and the ability to breathe. Lung cancer is the number one killer of men and women than any other cancer worldwide. This cancer is mostly found in smokers and this is why professionals are targeting this population for testing for diagnosing early and possibly saving a life (www.ncb.nlm.nih.gov). Lung cancer refers to the malignancies that originate in the airways or pulmonary parenchyma. It is estimated that 159,480 deaths (87,260 men and 72,220 women) from this disease will occur this year. For all people with lung cancer, the one-year survival rate (percentage of people who survive at least one year after the cancer is detected excluding those who die from other diseases) is 44%. The five-year survival rate is 16% (www.cancer net). Lung cancer is mostly found in smokers or workers that worked with asbestos or environmental agents. Those that did not smoke but lived those who did, also have a higher rate of developing lung cancer. Lung cancer is either defines as small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) or non-small cell cancer (NSCLC), the difference between the two is the staging, treatment, and prognosis. Squamous cell carcinoma or (NSCLS) accounts for about 30% of bronchogenic carcinomas, it develops in the central lung area and also the mucoclilary epithelial cells and then adenocarcinomas (tumor arising from glands) of lung constitutes 35% to 40% of all bronchogenic carcinomas these from in the lung periphery and the alveolar types cells (Heuther/McCane, 2008. Pg.742). The incidence of lung cancer is more prevalent in the black community compared to the Caucasian community. In 2006, Kentucky had the highest rate of lung
Catherine Hayworth
BIO 355A/357A
June 14, 2012
Colorado Christian University
Cancer can be one of the hardest battles that one must face, whether that battle is lost or won, it changes the lives of everyone involved. Lung cancer is one of the most diagnosed cancers and it affects the lining of the lungs and the ability to breathe. Lung cancer is the number one killer of men and women than any other cancer worldwide. This cancer is mostly found in smokers and this is why professionals are targeting this population for testing for diagnosing early and possibly saving a life (www.ncb.nlm.nih.gov). Lung cancer refers to the malignancies that originate in the airways or pulmonary parenchyma. It is estimated that 159,480 deaths (87,260 men and 72,220 women) from this disease will occur this year. For all people with lung cancer, the one-year survival rate (percentage of people who survive at least one year after the cancer is detected excluding those who die from other diseases) is 44%. The five-year survival rate is 16% (www.cancer net). Lung cancer is mostly found in smokers or workers that worked with asbestos or environmental agents. Those that did not smoke but lived those who did, also have a higher rate of developing lung cancer. Lung cancer is either defines as small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) or non-small cell cancer (NSCLC), the difference between the two is the staging, treatment, and prognosis. Squamous cell carcinoma or (NSCLS) accounts for about 30% of bronchogenic carcinomas, it develops in the central lung area and also the mucoclilary epithelial cells and then adenocarcinomas (tumor arising from glands) of lung constitutes 35% to 40% of all bronchogenic carcinomas these from in the lung periphery and the alveolar types cells (Heuther/McCane, 2008. Pg.742). The incidence of lung cancer is more prevalent in the black community compared to the Caucasian community. In 2006, Kentucky had the highest rate of lung
References: Familial Lung Cancer Gene Located. December 27, 2012. National Human Genome Research Institute. Retrieved from: http://www.genome.gov/27531412 Heuther and McCance, Understanding Pathophysiology Fourth Edition, 2008; Mosby Elsevier, St. Louis, MO Lung Cancer Fact Sheet. 2013. Retrieved from: http://www.lung.org/lung-disease/lung-cancer/resources/facts-figures/lung-cancer-fact-sheet.html Lung Cancer. National Cancer Institute. Retrieved from: http://cancer.gov/cancertopics Rosell R, Taron M, Camps C, López-Vivanco G. Influence of genetic markers on survival in non-small cell lung cancer. October, 2003. Retrieved from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14668933