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Short Communication Volume 5 Issue 2
Lung cancer: the global killer
Jyoti Priyadarshini Shrivastava,1
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Alok Shrivastava2
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1Departement of Pathology, Gajra Raja Medical College, India
2Consultant Orthopedician, District Hospital, India
Correspondence: Jyoti Priyadarshini Shrivastava, Associate Professor, Departement of Pathology, Gajra Raja Medical College, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India
Received: December 11, 2017 | Published: March 8, 2018
Citation: Shrivastava JP, Shrivastava A. Lung cancer: the global killer. J Lung Pulm Respir Res. 2018;5(2):49. DOI: 10.15406/jlprr.2018.05.00161
Abstract
Lung cancer is the number one cancer in the world for several decades. There are estimated to be 1.8 million new cases in 2012 (12.9% of the total), 58% of which occurred in the less developed regions. The disease remains as the most common cancer in men worldwide (1.2 million, 16.7% of the total).1 There were 14.1 million new cancer cases, 8.2 million cancer deaths and 32.6 million people living with cancer (within 5 years of diagnosis) in 2012 worldwide2 Lung cancer remains a major worldwide health problem, accounting for more than a sixth of cancer deaths.3
Introduction
Lung cancer, also known as lung carcinoma,4 is a malignant lung tumor characterized by uncontrolled cell growth in tissues of the lung.5 This growth can spread beyond the lung by the process of metastasis into nearby tissue or other parts of the body.6 Incidence and mortality attributed to lung cancer has risen steadily since the 1930s, predominantly due to the popularity of cigarette smoking.7,8 Sir Richard Doll and Austin Hill's landmark article in 1950 described mounting evidence that lung cancer was associated with cigarette smoking.7,9 Number and duration of smoking are directly proportional to incidence of lung cancer.
In the past 100 years, lung cancer has therefore been transformed from a rare disease10 into a global problem.7,8 Efforts to fight the deadly disease have lead to a greater understanding of the varied and multifactorial etiology of lung cancer along with histologic and molecular characteristics and classification of individual lung tumors. Histologically and Morphologically Lung cancer is primarily divided into Non Small cell Lung cancer(NSCLC) and Small cell Lung cancer(SCLC).The most common symptoms are coughing (including coughing up blood), weight loss, shortness of breath, and chest pains.11.Genetic susceptibility to lung cancer is under study. The Four genes are: EGFR, KRAS, the PI3K–Akt–mTOR complex, and TITF1.12 Lung being commonest site of metastasis, Metastatic Lung cancer is commoner than primary tumour. November is celebrated as Lung cancer Awareness month. A white ribbon brings awareness to lung cancer. Despite all efforts Lung cancer remains King killer amongst men and women globally.
Research directions
Current research directions for lung cancer treatment include immunotherapy, which encourages the body's immune system to attack the tumor cells, epigenetics, and new combinations of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, both on their own and together. Many of these new treatments work through immune checkpoint blockade, disrupting cancer's ability to evade the immune system.13
Conclusion
Lung cancer is associated with known tobacco, smoke and environmental aetiology. There is scope to reduce incidence by generating awareness. Advancement of science has lead to understanding of lung cancer biology, genetic susceptibility hence promoting development of targeted therapies and providing prognostic predictors of treatment response and outcome.
Acknowledgments
None.
Conflict of interest
None.
References
- http://globocan.iarc.fr/old/FactSheets/cancers/lung-new.asp
- http://globocan.iarc.fr/Pages/fact_sheets_cancer.asp
- Hoffman PC, Mauer AM, Vokes EE. Lung cancer. Lancet. 2000;355(9202):479‒85.
- Lung Carcinoma: Tumors of the Lungs. Merck Manual Professional Edition. 2007.
- Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Treatment –Patient Version (PDQ®). NCI; 2016.
- Falk S, Williams C. Chapter 1. Lung Cancer—the facts. 3rd ed. Oxford University Press; 2010. p. 3‒4.
- Ridge CA, McErlean AM, Ginsberg MS. Epidemiology of Lung Cancer. Semin Intervent Radiol. 2013;30(2):93‒98.
- American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts and Figures. Atlanta, GA: 2012.
- Doll R, Hill AB. Smoking and carcinoma of the lung; preliminary report. BMJ. 1950;2(4682):739–748.
- Adler I. Primary malignant growths of the lungs and bronchi. New York, NY: Longmans, Green; 1912.
- Horn L, Lovly CM, Johnson DH. Chapter 107: Neoplasms of the lung. In: Kasper DL, Hauser SL, editors. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. 19th ed. McGraw-Hill; 2015.
- Herbst RS, Heymach JV, Lippman SM, Lung Cancer. N Engl J Med. 2008;359(13):1367‒1380.
- Brahmer JR. Immune checkpoint blockade: the hope for immunotherapy as a treatment of lung cancer? Seminars in oncology. 2014;41(1):126‒32.
©2018 Shrivastava, et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and build upon your work non-commercially.
Citations
November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month, a vital opportunity for us to raise awareness about the dangers of lung cancer. Let’s unite to educate ourselves and others, and inspire proactive steps toward lung health. This year the motto of this event is “Stronger Together: United for Lung Cancer Awareness”. So for this occasion, the Journal of Lung, Pulmonary & Respiratory Research invites articles that emphasize the significance of lung protection. All the submissions received in the month of November will be offered with 40% discount on publication.