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Lung Cancer: What is it?

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There is a lot of talk about lung cancer, and it's not just from smoking.

lung cancer

Much is said about lung cancer, and it is not just because of smoking ...

It is a malignant disease that begins when lung cells grow uncontrollably and form a tumor, being the leading cause of death from cancer in the world with 1.6 million deaths per year above breast, colon, and prostate cancer.

In Mexico, the incidence of lung cancer in 2012 was 8,439 cases with a total of 7,608 deaths.

Who does it mainly affect?

Lung cancer can affect anyone: young people, the elderly, men, women, smokers, former smokers, or people who have never smoked. Worldwide, lung cancer is the second most common cause of cancer in both men and women.

 LUNG CANCER IN NON-SMOKING

According to the global survey “It could be your lung” of 2014. 3 out of 4 people immediately think that smoking is the cause of the disease when they hear that someone has lung cancer. This perception is even more marked in countries like Mexico (78 percent). Depending on the country, between half and two-thirds of those surveyed believed that people with lung cancer have asked for it themselves for smoking.

 What are the risk factors for lung cancer in nonsmokers?

Factors that play a key role in a nonsmoker's chances of developing lung cancer are

  • Passive smoking
  • Frequent contact with wood smoke
  • Environment (air pollution)
  • Family history
  • Regular exposure to asbestos
  • Long-term exposure to radon
  • Previous diseases such as pulmonary fibrosis
  • COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and tuberculosis.

Radon is a radioactive gas that is colorless and odorless. It occurs naturally from the decomposition of radioactive elements, such as uranium, which are present at different levels in the earth and stones around the world. Radon gas in soil and stones can travel to the air, as well as to ground or surface water reservoirs.

In the world 1.8 million people are diagnosed with lung cancer each year.

10 to 15 percent of lung cancer cases are not related to smoking. 10 to 15 percent of lung cancer cases are not related to smoking. .

What types of lung cancer are there?

There are two large groups. Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) NSCLC is the most common (accounting for 85 percent of cases)

KNOWLEDGE OF CPCNP

Within NSCLC, the most common type is adenocarcinoma, in 40 percent of cases. There are several types of genetic mutations. More than 12 genetic mutations have been identified. The ALK (anaplastic lymphoma kinase) mutation occurs in 3 to 8 percent of adenocarcinoma cases.

NSCLC used to be treated without taking into account genetic mutations, and the most used therapy was chemotherapy. Today, the identification of specific genetic mutations and biomarkers has changed the way NSCLC is approached, leading to the creation of personalized treatment approaches.

 TREATMENT

To define the type of treatment that a patient with lung cancer requires, several factors are taken into account:

Type and stage of disease

Histological type (cell morphology)

Mutational profile (ALK, EGFR)

General condition of the patient (ECOG)

Others Some current treatment options for NSCLC are:

Surgery to remove the cancer

Radiation to kill tumor cells

Chemotherapy with drugs that are given through a vein (IV) to help kill tumor cells. Personalized treatment approaches based on genetic mutations.

Personalized therapies have transformed the way NSCLC is treated. Due to the advancement in the study of lung cancer, target therapies represent a better alternative than conventional treatments (chemotherapy) in terms of efficacy and safety.

BIOMARKERS.

Key Cancer-Causing Genetic Changes With the identification of gene mutations, NSCLC patients are more likely to benefit from personalized therapies. Personalized medicine has changed the treatment of lung cancer.

WHITE THERAPY

Targeting therapy, also called personalized medicine, is a recent type of treatment that blocks the growth and spread of cancer by interfering with "molecular targets" that are involved in its advancement. Personalized medicine is highly specific, as it only works on tumor cells without affecting normal cells. With new technologies that allow tumor cells to be observed at a molecular level, patients can now:

Receive individualized treatment plans with novel therapies targeting specific molecular changes.

Adopt the best treatments for your type of lung cancer.

Avoid treatments that are probably not the best alternative. Molecular testing can help identify the best treatment plan. for people with non-small cell lung cancer. They are key in NSCLC treatment. They help classify the specific type of lung cancer.

MOLECULAR TESTS

Through these tests, which are key to precision diagnosis, several biomarkers such as EGFR gene abnormalities or ALK gene abnormalities are identified to identify patients who are candidates for receiving personalized therapies. The American Society of Clinical Oncology and international treatment guidelines recommend that patients undergo molecular testing to determine specific genetic abnormalities such as the ALK gene abnormality, or the EGFR gene abnormality to define the appropriate treatment plan.

All bibliographic references available.

Text courtesy of Novartis México on the occasion of the press conference held at the Marriot Hotel on 28/07/2015

Frequently asked questions from our readers:

Lung cancer is a disease in which abnormal cells grow uncontrollably in the lungs. It is one of the most common types of cancer and is closely related to tobacco use. Symptoms may include persistent cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, and unexplained weight loss. Early diagnosis is essential for a better prognosis and treatment. Read more here: https://www.equilibriumx.com/tendencias/cancer-de-pulmon-trabajo-de-la-enfermedad
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Last modified: March 9, 2024