Brief description: Lung cancer, like all cancers, is an uncontrollable increase in the number of cells. This occurs in the lung tissue, but it can also affect other nearby tissues and spread further than the lungs. Cellular/Molecular Basis: Lung cancer is of two types; small cell and not small cell. Both types can be identified by their appearance when viewed under a microscope. It usually affects the cells that line the airways of the lungs. Causes: The leading cause of lung cancer is smoking, which accounts for approximately 90% of all lung cancer deaths worldwide. However, smoking is not the only way to get it. The second most common cause of lung cancer is exposure to radon, created by the decay of uranium. Exposure to asbestos can also lead to lung cancer and various other lung diseases. Signs and symptoms: There are a range of symptoms of lung cancer, including frequent coughing or coughing up blood, difficulty swallowing, weight loss, feeling very weak or tired, pain felt in the rib cage, swollen neck and face, shortness of breath, hoarse or gruff voice, pneumonia/bronchitis and seizures or headaches. This can lead to many complications, as the cancer could interfere with the patient's airflow, making it more difficult to breathe. The secretion could even build up behind the cancer, potentially causing pneumonia. The cancer may also have an abundant blood supply, and if ruptured, the cancer could bleed into the patient's airways. Detection: If lung cancer is suspected, CT scans and x-rays will be done to determine if the person has lung cancer. A healthy lung on an x-ray will be consistently dark, while a lung with lung...... middle of paper....../toxsci.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/full/64/1/ 4Latest updated: 2012Author not specified | Lung Cancer – What is lung cancer? | Antigenic | http://www.antigenics.com/diseases/lungcancer.html | Updated date not specifiedJennifer Warner and reviewed by Laura J. Martin, MD | New way to treat lung cancer: Study shows targeted radiation therapy can help control non-small cell lung cancer tumors | MD Web | http://www.webmd.com/lung-cancer/news/20100316/new-way-to-treat-inoperable-lung-cancer | March 16, 2010MayoClinic Staff | Lung cancer: Prevention | MayoClinic | http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/lung-cancer/DS00038/DSECTION=prevention | November 10, 2011Cris Barrish | Eight cancer clusters discovered in Delaware | Delaware Online | http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20080424/HEALTH/804240339/Eight-cancer-clusters-discovered-in-Delaware | April 24 2012