Contrary to other types of cancers where researchers are not entirely sure of why they form, there is a pretty good understanding of the risk factors associated with lung cancer and how to prevent it in most people.
What is Lung Cancer?
ung cancer is the most common non-skin cancer in the United States, affecting more than 200,000 persons every year and accounting for almost 30 percent of all cancer deaths each year. Lung cancer refers to the abnormal proliferation of otherwise healthy cells in one or both lungs, creating growths or tumors that can severely reduce a person’s ability to breathe.
Lung cancers are typically divided into two groups: small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
SCLC is the most aggressive type of lung cancer; it grows and spreads very rapidly and they tend to be discovered at very advanced stages. SCLC comprises 10 to 15 percent of all lung cancers.
On the other hand, NSCLC is the most common type of lung cancer, found in about 80 to 85 percent of all lung cancer patients. This type of cancer also has several subtypes depending on the type of lung cell it originated from, and it is the most common lung cancer among non-smokers.
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Who is at Risk of Developing Lung Cancer?
The most common and well-known cause of lung cancer, smoking tobacco is responsible for about 80 percent of lung cancer deaths. It is believed that smoking causes lung cancer – and contributes to many other types of cancer – by damaging healthy cells on the lining of the lungs. As the tissues become increasingly damaged your body tries to repair them, but with repeated exposure to smoke cells that were once healthy begin to behave erratically.
Unfortunately, non-smokers are also at risk of developing lung cancer if they are continuously exposed to tobacco smoke. In fact, secondhand smoke, or inhaling the smoke of others accounts for more than 7,000 lung cancer deaths every year.
Up until the early 1980s, these minerals were common in American homes in the form of wall linings, roof insulators, paint coatings, etc. However, beginning in the 1930s research studies began circulating about the dangers of asbestos exposure and the increased risk for lung cancer, mesothelioma, and other respiratory conditions. Though asbestos is not used nearly as much today as it was once used, it is still responsible for about four percent of all lung cancer deaths.
Exposure to radon is the second most common cause of lung cancer for both smokers and non-smokers, and the number one cause of cancer among non-smokers. Radon is a radioactive gas that is tasteless, odorless, and colorless, which makes it hard for people to know when they are being exposed to it.
How is Lung Cancer Diagnosed?
Lung cancer is typically diagnosed through an X-ray or other types of imaging tests. Chest X-rays are typically performed when a person goes to the doctor with some form of respiratory complaint, including a persistent cough, shortness of breath, chest or back pain, hoarseness, etc.
A chest X-ray may reveal abnormalities or growths that signal the presence of lung cancer, however, CT scans can pick up smaller lesions that might not be visible on an X-ray. Other ways to diagnose lung cancer include a sputum cytology, which is an analysis of the cells in your sputum (phlegm) to see if there are any cancer cells present, or a biopsy to evaluate abnormal cells from a tumor.
How is Lung Cancer Treated?
Lung cancer treatment depends on many factors, including the stage of the disease, the medical history of the patient, and the type of lung cancer. The following treatments – of a combination of a few of them – are some of the most common procedures to treat lung cancer:
Match to Lung Cancer Clinical Trials
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- Latest clinical trials
- Find trials in your area
Lung Cancer Clinical Trials
Some types of lung cancer can be very aggressive and unresponsive to treatment, which is one of the reasons why researchers conduct clinical trials to test new treatment options. A clinical trial is a voluntary research study designed to test a new medication, procedure, screening test, etc. to assess its safety and effectiveness before it is released to the general public.
Though the medications or interventions in a clinical trial are still at the experimental phase, some individuals decide to enroll in these types of studies because it gives them access to new treatments and specialized medical care before it is available to all patients.
If you or a family member is interested in becoming a lung cancer clinical trial volunteer, contact your doctor or local hospital/university to inquire about any local studies actively recruiting participants.
ClinicalTrials.gov: Recruiting Studies | Lung Cancer | Last update posted in the last 300 days Studies found on ClinicalTrials.gov by a search of: Recruiting Studies | Lung Cancer | Last update posted in the last 300 days
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Durvalumab Plus Chemotherapy in Untreated Patients With Extensive-Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer
on January 15, 2021 at 5:00 pm
Condition: Small Cell Lung Carcinoma Extensive DiseaseInterventions: Drug: Durvalumab; Drug: Cisplatin; Drug: Etoposide; Drug: CarboplatinSponsor: AstraZenecaRecruiting
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Pyrotinib Combined With Pemetrexed Plus Carboplatin in the First-line Treatment
on January 13, 2021 at 5:00 pm
Condition: Lung Cancer, Non-small CellIntervention: Drug: Pyrotinib combined with pemetrexed plus carboplatinSponsor: Fudan UniversityRecruiting
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Pan-Canadian Lung Cancer Observational Study (PALEOS)
on January 13, 2021 at 5:00 pm
Condition: Lung CancerIntervention: Other: QuestionnairesSponsors: William Osler Health System; Pulse InfoFrameRecruiting
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Clinical Study of Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy and Immunotherapy Combined With Probiotics in Patients With Potential/Resectable NSCLC
on January 7, 2021 at 5:00 pm
Condition: Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Stage IIIIntervention: Drug: nivolumab 4.5mg/kg+Paclitaxel (albumin-bound type) 260mg / m2+ Carboplatin AUC5Sponsor: Xiangya Hospital of Central South UniversityRecruiting
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Effectiveness of an Enhanced Tobacco Intervention Protocol Compared to Standard Treatment in Helping Head and Neck and Lung Cancer Patients Starting Treatment to Reduce Cigarette Use
on January 5, 2021 at 5:00 pm
Conditions: Lung Non-Small Cell Carcinoma; Head and Neck Squamous Cell CarcinomaInterventions: Drug: Nicotine Replacement; Drug: Bupropion Hydrochloride Controlled-release; Drug: Varenicline; Other: Tobacco Cessation Counseling; Other: Questionnaire Administration; Other: Quality of Life Assessment; Other: Best PracticeSponsor: Thomas Jefferson UniversityRecruiting
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Immunopheresis Alone or in Combination With Paclitaxel or Atezolizumab in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC).
on December 31, 2020 at 5:00 pm
Condition: Non Small Cell Lung CancerInterventions: Device: LW-02 device immunopheresis combined with atezolizumab; Device: LW-02 device immunopheresis combined with weekly paclitaxel; Device: LW-02 device immunopheresisSponsor: Immunicom IncRecruiting
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Phase Ib Study of the Safety of T-DXd and Durvalumab With Chemotherapy in Advanced or Metastatic HER2+ Non-squamous NSCLC
on December 28, 2020 at 5:00 pm
Condition: Locally Advanced or Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung CancerInterventions: Drug: Trastuzumab deruxtecan; Biological: Durvalumab; Drug: Cisplatin; Drug: Carboplatin; Drug: PemetrexedSponsors: AstraZeneca; Daiichi Sankyo, Inc.Recruiting
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Anlotinib Plus Etoposide and Carboplatin as First-line Treatment for Extensive-stage Small Cell Lung Cancer
on December 24, 2020 at 5:00 pm
Conditions: SCLC; AnlotinibInterventions: Drug: Anlotinib hydrochloride; Drug: Etoposide; Drug: CarboplatinSponsor: Shanghai Chest HospitalRecruiting
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Comparison Between Endovascular and Bronchoscopic Tumor Marker Insertion for Real-time Stereotactic-guided Radiotherapy in Lung Cancer
on December 24, 2020 at 5:00 pm
Conditions: Lung Cancer; Lung Metastases; RadiotherapyInterventions: Procedure: Endovascular fiducial marker insertion; Procedure: Bronchoscopic fiducial marker insertionSponsor: Centre Hospitalier Universitaire VaudoisRecruiting
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Study of RET Inhibitor TAS0953/HM06 in Patients With Advanced Solid Tumors With RET Gene Abnormalities
on December 24, 2020 at 5:00 pm
Conditions: RET-altered Non Small Cell Lung Cancer; RET-altered Solid TumorsIntervention: Drug: TAS0953/HM06Sponsors: Helsinn Healthcare SA; ICON Clinical ResearchRecruiting
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LUS to Assess Lung Injury After Lung Resection Via VATS
on December 21, 2020 at 5:00 pm
Conditions: Lung Neoplasm; Adult ALL; Lung Injury; Lung Injury, Ventilator Induced; Lung Inflammation; Lung Ischemia/Hypoxia; Postoperative Complications; Postoperative Respiratory Complication; Lung Cancer; ThoracicIntervention: Sponsors: Ana Broseta Lleó; Hospital General Universitario de ValenciaRecruiting
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Functional Lung Avoidance SPECT-guided Radiation Therapy of Lung Cancer
on December 21, 2020 at 5:00 pm
Conditions: Lung Cancer; Radiation-Induced Disorder; Radiation Pneumonitis; Pulmonary Disease; Lung Function DecreasedIntervention: Diagnostic Test: Single-photon-emission CT scanSponsors: University of Aarhus; Westmead and Blacktown Hospital, Sydney West Radiation Oncology Network, Sydney, Australia; Aarhus University HospitalRecruiting
- Lung Cancer. Mayo Clinic (Nov. 16, 2018) Recovered from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lung-cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20374620