History of Lung Cancer
Lung Cancer became one of the most widespread diseases in history since the
1950’s, due to the production of cigarettes. Smoking has greatly impacted the
world and is believed to be the leading cause of Lung Cancer.
Some of The Important Dates Relating To Lung Cancer Are Listed
Below:
 In 1761 Lung Cancer was recognized as a disease.
 In 1852, only 0.3% of the population had Lung Cancer, and then by
1952, the numbers went as high as 5.66%.
 As years passed by, Lung Cancer has continually increased.
 In 1929, a physician name Fritz Lickint noticed that smoking was a
prominent factor of Lung Cancer.
 In the 1950s, a report in the British Doctors Study shows links between
Lung Cancer and smoking by studying patterns of society, showing the
danger in a person’s health and safety.
~A long time ago people started anti-smoking campaigns,
which impacted the world, the campaign stress the causes of
health and other factors.
~Today, people help smokers to quit by putting anti-smoking
signs to help our citizens who smoke to be a bit healthier and
make our society and environment a better place.
The genetic basis of lung cancer
All cells in the body have DeoxyriboNucleic Acid (DNA).
Every time a mature cell divides into two new cells; its DNA is
exactly duplicated, which is identically copied in every way.
The cancer begins with errors, or mutations, in a cell’s DNA.
The mutations can be caused by aging processes or through
environmental factors, comparable to cigarette smoke, breathing in
asbestos fibers, exposure to radon gases, air pollution, and genetics.
To create a lung cancer cell, it takes a series of mutations.
Before becoming fully cancerous, cells can be precancerous, but still
function normally as lung cells. When a cell with a genetic mutation
divides, it passes its abnormal genes to the two new cells, which
then splits into four cells with errors in their DNA. Each of the new
mutation, the lung tissue cell becomes altered and may not be as
operative in carrying out its function as a lung cell.
Metastasis is some of the cells that may travel away from the
original tumor and start growing in other parts of the body, and the
new distant sites are metastases.
Gene Mutations That Can Lead To
Cancer
 Two main types are Oncogenes and Tumor Suppressor
genes.
Oncogenes
Most Oncogenes are proto-oncogenes that mutate certain types
of normal genes. This type of gene is the “good” genes that
normally control what kind of cell it is and frequently divides. When
it mutates into an oncogene, or a “bad” gene, it can perpetually
turned on or triggered when it’s not supposed to. This indicates the
cell to grow out of control, leading to cancer.
Tumor Suppressor Genes
Tumor suppressor genes are normal genes that slows down cell
division, repair DNA errors, or tell cells when to die through a
process called apoptosis or programmed cell death. When this type
of gene does not function right, the cells can grow out of control,
which can lead to cancer. Some different type of tumor suppressor
genes are TP53 (p53), BRCA1, BRCA2, APC, and RB1.
Two Types of Lung Cancer:
 Non-Small Cell Lung cancer & small-cell lung cancer
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)
3 common types:
 Adenocarcinomas are usually found in an outer area of
the lung.
 Squamous-Cell Carcinomas are typically found in the
center of the lung next to a bronchus.
 Large-Cell Carcinomas can occur in any part of the
lung. Tending to grow and spread faster than the other 2
types.
Nearly 40% of Lung Cancers are Adenocarcinomas. About 30% of
Lung Cancers are Squamous-Cell Carcinoma. 9% of Lung Cancers
are Large-Cell Carcinomas.
Small-Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC)
A.K.A Oat Cell Carcinoma accounts for 15% of Lung
Cancers, which grows rapidly than Non-Small Cell Lung
Cancers.
 Common treatments for both NSCLC and
SCLC are Palliative Care, Surgery,
Chemotherapy, and Radiation Therapy.
Facts about Lung Cancer
A.K.A Carcinoma of Lung.
Related to Adenocarcinoma and Colorectal Cancer.
An important gene correlated with Lung Cancer is CYP2A6
(cytochrome P450, family 2, subfamily A, and polypeptide 6).
Some comparable pathways are Hepatitis C and 4-1BB pathway.
A couple of compound like Panitumumab and Debrisoquine are in the
disorder.
Impairments to chromosomes 3p, 5q, 13q, and 17q are mainly common
in Small-Cell Lung Carcinoma.
On chromosome 17p, the p53 tumor suppressor gene is affected in 6075% of the cases of Lung Cancer.
15% of people in the U.S diagnosed, survived 5 years after the
diagnosis.
80-90% causes of Lung Cancers are a long-term effect of tobacco
smoke. Non-smokers are 10-15%.
Non-smokers have 20-30% increase in risk due to passive smoking.
8 to 14% of Lung Cancer is due to inherited factors, the risk is 2.4
times greater.