Lungs Cancer

General Information
Lung cancer (also called ¡°bronchogenic carcinoma¡±) is an uncontrollable growth of abnormal cells in pulmonary tissue. These abnormal cells can form tumors which are either benign or malignant. Benign tumors can be simply removed. Malignant tumors, however, must be treated before they are able to grow and migrate to other pats of the body. This migration is known as metastasis. Certain types of lung carcinomas tend to undergo metastasis very early in their development, making them very life-threatening and difficult to treat. Lung carcinomas are responsible for approximately 1.3 million deaths per year worldwide1.ClassificationThere are two major types of lung cancer: small cell and non-small cell lung carcinoma. Of the two, the more prevalent type is non-small cell lung carcinoma. Carcinomas differ from mesotheliomas and sarcomas in the type of cell from which they are derived. Lung carcinomas are derived from lung epithelial cells, whereas mesotheliomas and sarcomas derive from the tissues surrounding the lungs.
Fig 1.: Microscopic image of small cell lung cancer cell histology Type 1 ¨C Small Cell Lung Carcinoma Small Cell Lung Carcinoma (SCLC) is the most aggressive type of lung cancer both in its rate of growth and its ability to metastasize. It is the type most closely associated with smoking2, tending to arise in the primary and secondary bronchial tubes3, and it accounts for approximately 20% of all lung cancers4. It is usually detected only after metastasis and can be further categorized as limited stage or extensive stage SCLC. Type 2 ¨C Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma (NSCLC) account for approximately 80% of all lung cancers5. They can be further divided into three main sub-types, which are grouped together because of their similarities in diagnosis and treatment: squamous cell lung carcinoma, large cell lung carcinoma, and adenocarcinoma. Adenocarcinoma ¨C this is currently the most prevalent type in the US, comprising approximately 50% of all NSCLC¡¯s6. This type tends to develop in the outer and peripheral regions of the lung, and sometimes at multiple sites. Types of adenocarcinoma include: - Bronchioalveolar carcinoma - Adenosquamos carcinoma - Papillary adenocarcinoma - Mucoepidermoid carcinoma - Adenoid cystic carcinoma Squamous Cell Lung Carcinoma ¨C accounting for almost 30% of NSCLC¡¯s7, squamous cell lung carcinoma typically occurs in the central primary, or secondary bronchii. Highly differentiated squamous cell carcinomas tend to develop more slowly than other types. Large Cell Lung Carcinoma ¨C a fast-growing and quickly metastatic type of carcinoma, large cell lung carcinoma is also the least common. It is poorly differentiated and tends to develop near the surface of the lungs.StagingLung cancer staging ranges from 0 to IV for NSCLC, whereas SCLC is categorized as limited or extensive.Causes Smoking ¨C The number one cause of bronchogenic carcinomas is tobacco smoke, accounting for approximately 90% of lung cancer deaths. Cigarette smoke itself is known to contain 60 carcinogens, including radon8. Radon ¨C a colorless, odorless gas which is known to have mutagenic properties. Prolonged radon exposure tests in Iowa (the American state with the highest average radon concentration) demonstrated a 50% increase in lung cancer risks9. Asbestos ¨C these silicate fibers can reside in lung tissue for long periods of time. A possible cause of both mesotheliomas and bronchogenic carcinomas, asbestos can corroboratively function with tobacco smoking to greatly increase the risk of lung cancer. Other Causes ¨C other possible causes, drawn from recent scientific discoveries, include familial genetic predispositions and viruses with mutagenic capabilities (including HPV, JC virus, simian, BK virus, and cytomegalovirus).SymptomsCommon symptoms of lung cancers include:- A worsening cough that doesn¡¯t go away- Coughing up blood (hemoptysis)- Constant chest pain- Shortness of breath (dyspnea), wheezing, or hoarseness (dysphonia)- Swelling of the face and neck- Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)- Frequent problems with bronchitis or pneumonia- Physical Fatigue, weight loss or loss of apetite (cachexia)TreatmentsIn general, Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma treatments should combinate localized and systemic therapies.Localized treatments are used to remove the ¡°localized¡± tumor mass from the body. Lung cancer treatments of this type can include: * Surgery * Radiation therapy * Cryoablation¨C a minimally invasive, freezing technique used to ablate the tumor mass * RFA ¨C or Radio Frequency Ablation, a minimally invasive heating technique to ablate the tumor, but with greater limitations than cryosurgery based on tumor size and location. * TACE ¨C a vaso-constrictor used to slow tumor growth and concentrate chemo treatment * p53 gene therapy ¨C Gendicine * Anti-angiogenesis treatment - EndostarSystematic treatments are used to treat or prevent cancer metastasis and recurrence, and to heal the whole body¡¯s ¡°system¡±. They include: * Chemotherapy * CIK-DC cell Immunotherapy (a Cytokine-Induced Killer and Dendritic Cell treatment) ¨C this therapy injects naturally-occurring CIK/DC cells into the patients. The natural function of these cells is to kill small tumors, circulatory and lymphatic cancer cells, and to strengthen the body¡¯s immune system, preventing metastasis and cancer recurrence. * p53 gene therapy ¨C Gendicine * Chinese Traditional Medicine
Combination of surgery and immunotherapy for early stage non-small cell lung cancer:Surgery removes the cancerous organ to minimize the cancer toxins. CIK-DC cell immunotherapy, as the most efficient immunotherapy at present, will be adopted to kill the tiny scattered cancerous cells and to restore the immune system.Features1. Efficient prevention of recurrence and metastasis. CIK-DC cell immunotherapy eliminates cancerous cells which may have spread before the surgery and restore human¡¯s immune system against cancer. 2. No toxin or side effect3. Good quality of life4. Improve the cure rate. Combination of Cryoablation, Gene therapy, Antiangionesis therapy, mild or standard chemotherapy and immunotherapy for advanced stage non-small cell lung cancer:Cryoablation is minimally invasive surgery, which eliminates cancer by freeze-thaw cycle. Mild chemotherapy is a modified chemotherapy which achieves the results of regular chemotherapy with half dosage and toxin. CIK-DC cell immunotherapy, as the most efficient immunotherapy at present, is given to kill any hidden cancerous cells and to restore the immune system.Features:1. cryoablation is minimally invasive surgery, with little harm to normal function and little pains to patients, small wound and quick recovery.2. CIK biotherapy, as well as enhances the efficacy of cryoablation and mild chemotherapy, can improve the immune function against tumor. 3. Low toxicity or side effects to human body. Mild chemotherapy has a regular chemotherapy efficacy with reduced toxicity and side effects. And CIK-DC cell immunotherapy helps to reduce the toxicity and side effects.4. Significantly extends survival time with a good quality of lifeCombination of Cryoablation, Gene therapy, Antiangionesis therapy, mild chemotherapy and immunotherapy for metastatic lung cancer:Metastatic lung cancer and recurrent lung cancer, usually happens in advanced stage, when the patient is too weak for another surgery or for chemotherapy. Combination of Cryoablation, mild chemotherapy and immunotherapy is a good systematic treatment for recurrent and metastatic lung cancer. It helps extend survival time significantly with a high quality of life and low side effects.