Adenocarcinoma of Lung

Definition

Definition of Adenocarcinoma of Lung
Adenocarcinoma of the lung is a form of non-small cell lung cancer. Eighty percent of lung cancers are non-small cell cancers, and of these, about 50% are adenocarcinomas.

Adenocarcinoma of the lung begins in the outer parts of the lung, and it can be present for a long time before it is diagnosed. It is the type of lung cancer most commonly seen in women and is often seen in non-smokers.

Symptoms

Symptoms of Adenocarcinoma of Lung
Because lung adenocarcinoma often begins in the outer parts of the lungs, well-known symptoms of lung cancer such as a chronic cough and coughing up blood may be less common until later in the disease. Early symptoms of adenocarcinoma that may be overlooked may include fatigue, mild shortness of breath, or achiness in your back, shoulder, or chest.

Causes

Causes of Adenocarcinoma of Lung
Smoking is the most common cause of lung cancer overall, but many people diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma have never smoked. The most common cause in non-smokers is exposure to radon in the home. Lung adenocarcinoma is a multifactorial disease, meaning that several factors may work together to cause or prevent cancer.

1. Environmental Causes of Lung Cancer
2. Occupational Causes of Lung Cancer
3. Genetics and Lung Cancer

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of Adenocarcinoma of Lung
Lung adenocarcinoma is often first suspected when abnormalities are seen in an x-ray. Further evaluation may include:

1. Chest CT Scan
2. Sputum Cytology
3. Bronchoscopy
4. PET Scan

Treatment

Treatment of Adenocarcinoma of Lung
Depending upon the stage, lung adenocarcinoma treatment may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or a combination of these. Many clinical trials are in progress looking for new ways to treat this cancer, and to help decide which treatments are most effective.

• Surgery: When lung adenocarcinoma is caught in the early stages, surgery may offer a chance for a cure.
• Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy may be used alone, in conjunction with radiation therapy, or following surgery for lung cancer. Examples of chemotherapy medications used with lung adenocarcinoma include pemetrexed (Altima) and cisplatin (Platinol).
• Targeted Therapies: Targeted therapies are medications that are designed to attack cancer specifically. Because they work by targeting proteins on cancer cells, or normal cells that have been “hijacked” by a tumor in its attempt to grow, they may have fewer side effects than traditional chemotherapy. Examples of targeted therapies used with adenocarcinoma include erlotinib (Tarceva) and gefitinib (Iressa)
• Radiation Therapy: Radiation therapy may be used to treat cancer, or to control symptoms related to the spread of cancer.

Prognosis

Prognosis of Adenocarcinoma of Lung
The 5-year survival rate for lung cancer overall is sadly only about 15%. For those diagnosed in the early stages of the disease, the prognosis is much better.

Prevention

Prevention of Adenocarcinoma of Lung
To reduce your risk of adenocarcinoma and other forms of lung cancer, you can:

1. Avoid Cigarette Smoking: If you already smoke, ask your doctor about proven ways to help you quit.
2. Avoid Secondhand Smoke: Choose smoke-free areas of restaurants and hotels. Also, ask guests to smoke outdoors, especially if there are children in your home.
3. Reduce exposure to radon: Have your home checked for radon gas. A radon level above 4 picocuries/liter is unsafe. If you have a private well, have your drinking water tested for radon. Commercially available kits to test for radon are widely available.
4. Reduce Exposure to Asbestos: Because there is no safe level of asbestos exposure, any exposure is too much. If you have an older home, check if any insulation or other material that contains asbestos is exposed or deteriorating. The asbestos in these areas must be removed or safely sealed away professionally. If the removal isn't done properly, you may be exposed to more asbestos than you would have been if it has been left alone. Workers who deal with asbestos-containing materials routinely should use approved measures to limit their exposure and to keep from bringing asbestos dust home on their clothing.