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Symptoms of Chronic Bronchitis and Diagnosis

The main symptom of chronic bronchitis (chronic bronchitis symptoms) is the frequently arising or chronic cough. These symptoms of chronic bronchitis are:
- Ejection, which will be coughed up ever more toughly and more with difficulty. Especially in the early hours bronchitis massive mucus must  expectoration. When a bacterial infection of the mucous looks like pus. After the morning people with chronic bronchitis symptoms are free cough and often for hours.
- In advanced chronic bronchitis stages, there is shortness of breath which gradually increased.
In the cold seasons the complaints of chronic bronchitis increase.

The Chronic Bronchitis Process

From chronic bronchitis developed, over time, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD),  which can lead to cause emphysema. The transitions between the individual disease pictures are blurred :
- Chronic bronchitis
The changes of the lung may regress even if the harmful substance is eliminated, so for example smoking. At this stage, cough and expectoration in the foreground. As the bronchi are not chronically constricted, there is no difficulty in breathing exists.
- Chronic obstructive bronchitis
The lung is in the long term damaged, the changes can any longer regress. The bronchi are narrowed. Especially on exertion, patients suffer from shortness of breath and Read more…

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How to Prevent Lung Cancer Properly

Quitting smoking is the most important measure that can prevent lung cancer. Many products, such as nicotine inhalers, nicotine gum or sprays nicotine, may be useful to people trying to quit smoking. Minimize exposure to snuff smoke is also an effective preventive measure. Using a test kit home radon can identify and help correct the levels of radon in the home, which can also cause lung cancer. Methods that allow early detection of cancer as helical CT scanning in low doses, may also be useful in identifying small cancers can be cured by surgical removal and prevention of widespread incurable metastatic cancer.

A glimpse of lung cancer

• Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among men and women in the United States and worldwide include Canada, France, Spain, Japan, Australia, etc
• Smoking is the main risk factor for developing lung cancer.
• Exposure to passive smoke snuff can also cause lung cancer.
• The two types of lung cancer, which grow and spread differently, are the small-cell-lung-cancer (SCLC) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
• The stage of lung cancer relates to the extent that the cancer has spread throughout the body.
• The treatment of lung cancer can cause a combination of surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy and new methods of experimentation.
• The overall prognosis of lung cancer is poor, with survival rates around 16% in five years.
• Quitting smoking is the most important measure that can prevent the development of lung cancer

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Lung Cancer Diagnosis Guide

What is the diagnosis of lung cancer ? Lung cancer doctors use a variety of diagnostic procedures and lung cancer tests to diagnose lung cancer. Some of lung cancer diagnosis (diagnóstico de cáncer de pulmón, La diagnosi di cancro al polmone, lungenkrebs diagnose, diagnóstico de cáncer de pulmón) are :

Physical and history examination

The history and physical examination may reveal the presence of symptoms and signs that, with suspected lung cancer. In addition, to inquire into the causes and risk factors for cancer such as smoking, doctors can detect signs of respiratory distress, airway obstruction or lung infection. Cyanosis, a bluish color of the skin and mucous membranes due to lack of oxygen in the blood, suggesting compromise of lung function. In addition, changes in the tissues of the nail, known as clubs, can also indicate lung disease.

Chest X-ray

Using Chest X-Ray is the most common first diagnostic step, when new lung cancer symptoms are present. Chest X-ray procedure often includes a view from the back of the front of the chest as well as the view from the outside. Like any X-ray procedure, chest X-rays expose patients below the minimum amount of radiation. In the chest X-rays can detect suspicious areas in the lungs, but can not determine if these areas are cancerous. In particular, calcified nodules in the lungs or benign tumors called hamartomas can be identified by chest radiography and simulate a lung cancer.

CT-Scan (computed tomography scan, or computed tomography)

Computed Tomography Scan, better know as CT-Scan can be performed in the chest, abdomen and / or to study the brains of primary and metastatic tumors. The CT scan may be ordered when a chest X-rays showed no abnormalities or does not provide sufficient information or the location of the tumor. CT X-ray procedures is to combine several images using a computer to produce cross-section view of the body. Photos taken large donut-shaped X-ray machine at various angles around the body. One advantage of CT is more sensitive than standard chest x-ray ray in detecting lung nodules. Sometimes intravenous contrast agent is given before the procedure helps to identify the bodies and their positions. CT exposes the patient to a minimal amount of radiation. The most common side effect is an adverse reaction to contrast material intravenously, which can be given before the procedure. There may be a result of itching, a rash, which usually disappear fairly quickly. Severe anaphylactic reactions (life-threatening allergic reactions with shortness of breath), in contrast to the material are rare. Abdominal CT scan can detect liver metastases or adrenal glands, and computed tomography of the head may be required to identify the presence and extent of metastatic brain cancer.

A technique called low-dose spiral CT (computed tomography or spiral)

CT Spiral, or computed tomography spiral is sometimes used for screening of lung cancer. This procedure requires a special type of scanner and shown to be an effective tool to identify lung cancer in smokers and former smokers. However, there has not been demonstrated that the use of this method actually saves lives and reduces the risk of death from lung cancer. Increased sensitivity of this method is actually one of the sources of its weaknesses, as it is easy nodules require further evaluation will be considered in approximately 20% of people with this technique. Nodules identified low-dose spiral transformer test, 90% not cancerous, but require up to two years of expensive and often difficult monitoring and verification. Trials conducted in order to determine more precisely the utility of spiral CT screening for lung cancer.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Using MRI may be appropriate if the precise details on the whereabouts of the tumor is not necessary. Appliances Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) uses magnetism, radio waves and a computer to produce images of body structures. Like CT, the patient is in bed furniture, which is inserted into the MRI. There are no known side effects of MRI, and no exposure. And the resolution of the image produced by MRI in detail and can detect small changes in the structure within the body. Persons with pacemakers, metal implants, artificial heart valves and other structures surgically implanted can not be scanned with MRI because of the risk that the magnet may move the metal parts of these structures.

Positron Emission Tomography (PET)

PET, or positron emission tomography is a specialized imaging technique that uses radioactive drugs short-term three-dimensional color images of these substances in the tissues in the body. Although CT and MRI to examine the anatomical structures and measure the metabolic activity of PET and functioning of tissues. PET can determine if the tumor tissue is actively growing and can help determine the type of tumor cells determined. In PET, the patient receives an average cut of radioactive drugs and about the amount of radiation in two chest X-ray. Drug discharges particles called positrons from wherever they are accepted and used in the body. As the positrons encounter electrons in the body, the reaction of gamma ray production occurs. The scanner records these gamma rays and map the area where radioactive drugs. For example, the combination of glucose (a common source of energy in the body) with radioactive materials will be displayed quickly when glucose is used, for example, the growing tumor.

Thoracentesis

Why thoracentesis can diagnose lung cancer? Sometimes lung cancer involving the lining of the lung tissue (pleura) and lead to accumulation of fluid in the space between the lungs and thorax (called pleural effusion). The desire of the fluid sample with a fine needle (thoracentesis) can detect cancer cells and to establish the diagnosis. As the needle biopsy, a small risk of pneumothorax associated with this procedure.

Bronchoscopy
Examination of bronchoscopy of the airways (Airways viewing through a thin fiber optic probe is inserted through the nose or mouth), can identify areas of tumor, which may be sampling ( biopsy) for diagnosis by the pathologist. A tumor in the central regions of mild or arising in connection with the large airways is available for sampling using this technique. Bronchoscopy can be performed with the fiber, rigid or flexible-optic bronchoscope and can be done in the office that day bronchoscopy suite, operating room or living room. The procedure can be uncomfortable and requires sedation or anesthesia. Although bronchoscopy is relatively secure, it must be done by lung specialists (pulmonologist or surgeon) with experience in this procedure. When the tumor is visualized and adequately sampled, accurate diagnosis of cancer, as a rule, is possible. Some patients may cough up blood, dark brown for a day or two after the procedure. The most serious complications, but rarely include more bleeding, reduced blood oxygen, and cardiac arrhythmia, and complications of sedation and anesthesia.

Sputum cytology

What is the sputum cytology? The lung-cancer diagnosis always requires confirmation of malignant cells pathologist, even when symptoms and X-ray studies with suspected lung cancer. The easiest way to establish the diagnosis of sputum examination under a microscope. If the tumor is located in the center and into the respiratory tract, this procedure is known as the examination of sputum cytology, may allow visualization of the tumor cells for diagnosis. This is the biggest risk diagnostic procedure for free and cheap material, but its value is limited because tumor cells can not always be present in sputum, even if cancer is present. Also, sometimes benign cells undergo changes in response to inflammation or trauma, which makes them look like cancer cells.

The Bone Scan

The bone scan is used to create images of bones on a film or computer screen. Doctors may order a bone scan to determine the lung cancer metastasis to bone. In the analysis of bones, a small amount of radioactive material is injected into the blood and accumulates in bones, especially in abnormal areas, such as those involved in the metastatic tumors. Radioactive material detected by the scanner and the image of the bones is recorded on special film for permanent display.

The needle biopsies

Fine needle aspiration (FNA) through the skin, most commonly performed with X-ray images for guidance, can be useful in extracting the cells for diagnosis of tumors of the lymph in the lungs. Needle biopsy is particularly useful for peripheral lung tumor in the lungs and is not accessible for sampling by bronchoscopy. A small amount of local anesthetic for the installation of a thin needle through the chest wall in the anomalous region in the lungs. The cells were sucked into the syringe and examined under the microscope of the tumor cells. This procedure is usually necessary when the tissue in the affected area is an adequate sample, but in some cases, the district or outside the field can easily be confused with the sample. Small risk (3% -5%) of air leaks in the lungs (called pneumothorax, which can be easily treated) accompanies the procedure.

The major surgical procedures

If none of these methods provides methods of diagnosis, surgery should be used to obtain tumor tissue for diagnosis. These may include mediastinoscopy (examination of the chest cavity between the lungs through a tube inserted into a surgical biopsy of tumor masses or lymph nodes that may contain metastases) or thoracotomy (surgical opening of the chest wall to remove or biopsy). At thoracotomy, is a rare opportunity to completely remove the lung, and both mediastinoscopy and thoracotomy entails risks of major surgical procedures (for complications such as bleeding, infection, and risks associated with anesthesia and drugs). These procedures are performed in the operating room and the patient should be hospitalized.

Blood tests

Although regular blood tests alone can not diagnose lung cancer can be identified biochemical and metabolic disorders in the body that accompany cancer. For example, elevated levels of calcium or alkaline phosphatase enzyme may accompany cancer, which is a bone metastasis. In addition, elevated levels of certain enzymes normally present in liver cells, including alanine aminotransferase (ALT or SGPT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST or SGOT), signal liver damage, possibly due to the presence of metastases.

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Different Types of Lung Cancer in The World

There are any different the types of lung cancer (lung cancer types, or tipos de cáncer de pulmón, tipi di cancro del polmone, types de cancer du poumon, lungenkrebs-typen) in the world. Bronchogenic carcinomas, better known as lung cancer deadly disease (carcinoma is another term for cancer), are broadly classified into two types : lung cancer small cell (SCLC) and non-cancer, small cell (NSCLC). This classification is based on the microscopic appearance of tumor cells. Both types of cancer growth and spread in different ways and may have different treatment options, so a distinction between these two types is important.

SCLC represents approximately 20% of lung cancers are the most aggressive and fastest growing of all lung cancers. CPM are closely related to smoking, with only 1% of these tumors in non-smokers. SCLC spreads quickly to many places in the body and are most often discovered after they have spread widely. Referring to a specific cell appearance, often seen by examining the samples under a microscope SCLC, these cancers are sometimes called oat cell carcinoma.

NSCLC lung cancer the most frequent, representing approximately 80% of all lung cancers. NSCLC can be divided into three main types which are named according to the type of cells in the tumor as below :

- Adenocarcinomas

The adenocarcinomas are the most frequently observed in NSCLC in the U.S. and up to 50% of NSCLC. While adenocarcinomas are associated with smoking and lung cancer, this pattern is seen both in non-smokers who develop lung cancer. Most adenocarcinomas arise in areas outside the lungs or peripheral. Bronchioloalveolar carcinoma is a subtype of adenocarcinoma, which often takes place at several sites in the lungs and spreads along the preexisting alveolar walls.

-  Squamous cell carcinoma

Squamous cell carcinoma were once more common than adenocarcinomas, currently representing around 30% of NSCLC. Also known as squamous cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma are more common in the chest area in the central bronchi.

- The large cell carcinomas

Large cell carcinomas sometimes referred to as undifferentiated carcinomas, are the most common NSCLC low.

- Mixtures of different types of NSCLC are also seen.

Other cancers types may arise in the lung and these guys are much less common than NSCLC and SCLC, and together represent only 5% -10% of lung cancers :

- Bronchial carcinoids make up approximately 5% of lung cancers. These tumors are usually small (3-4 cm or less) when diagnosed and occur more frequently in people younger than 40 years. Non-smoking, carcinoid tumors can metastasize, and a small proportion of these tumors secrete hormones and substances that can cause specific symptoms related to the hormone produced. Carcinoids and dissemination in general, grow more slowly than lung cancer, and many are detected early enough to be amenable to surgical resection.

- Cancers of the supporting tissues of the lung, such as vascular smooth muscle or blood cells involved in immune response may occur rarely in the lungs.

As mentioned above, metastatic tumors in the major organs are often in the lungs. Tumors anywhere in the body can spread to the lungs, either by blood through the lymphatic system or directly to nearby organs. Metastatic tumors are more often multiple, scattered throughout the lung, and is concentrated in peripheral regions rather than the central regions of the lung.

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Causes of Lung Cancer Information

Maybe some people ask, what causes of lung cancer?  There are many lung cancer causes, such as smoking or to be passive smokers, asbestos fibers, because radon, or the family predisposition, lung disease from family, air pollution or history of the lung cancer family can make lung cancer cause (lungenkrebs verursacht, provoque le cancer du poumon, provoca il cancro ai polmoni, causa cáncer de pulmón).

Smoking

The incidence of lung cancer is closely linked to smoking, with approximately 90% of lung cancers caused by snuff. The risk of lung cancer increases with the number of cigarettes smoked over time, doctors refer to this risk in terms of pack-years history of smoking (number of packs of cigarettes smoked per day multiplied by the number of years). For example, a person who has smoked two packs of cigarettes a day for 10 years has a pack of 20, smoking history year. Although the risk of lung cancer increases even with a 10 pack year history of smoking, those who have stories 30-lot-of one year or more are regarded as having the greatest risk of developing lung cancer. Among people who smoke two or more packs of cigarettes a day, seven people who die from lung cancer.

Pipe and cigar smoking can also cause lung cancer, but the risk is not as high as with cigarette smoking. As a person who smokes a pack of cigarettes per day had a risk of developing lung cancer is 25 times higher than a non-smoker, pipe smokers and cigar has a risk of lung cancer is about five times the non – smoking.

Snuff smoke contains over 4,000 chemical compounds, many of which have been shown to cause cancer, or cancer. The two major carcinogens in tobacco smoke are chemicals known as nitrosamines and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The risk of developing lung cancer decreases each year after quitting, as normal growth of cells and replace damaged cells in the lungs. In former smokers, the risk of developing lung cancer begins to approach that of a non-smoker for 15 years after quitting.

Passive smoking

Passive smoking, or inhaling the smoke of smokers suck life and work of shared premises, is also a risk factor for developing lung cancer. Research has shown that non-smokers living with a smoker have a 24% increase in risk of developing lung cancer compared to other non-smokers. It is estimated that 3,000 deaths from lung cancer occur each year in the United States that are attributable to passive smoking.

Asbestos fibers

Asbestos fibers are silicate fibers that can persist throughout life in lung tissue after exposure to asbestos. The workplace is a common source of exposure to asbestos fibers, asbestos was widely used in the past that the thermal and acoustic insulation. Today, the use of asbestos is restricted or prohibited in many countries including the United States both lung cancer and mesothelioma (cancer of the pleura, the lung and the lining of the cavity abdominal peritoneum) are associated with exposure to asbestos. Smoking greatly increases the likelihood of developing lung cancer linked to asbestos-exposed workers. Asbestos workers who smoke have a fivefold risk of developing lung cancer than non-smokers and asbestos workers who smoke have a risk that is 50 to 90 times higher than non smoking.

Radon

Radon is a gas, chemically inert gas that is produced by the natural decay of uranium. Uranium decays to form products, including radon, which emit a type of ionizing radiation. Radon is a known cause of lung cancer, and about 12% of deaths from lung cancer attributable to radon, or 15,000-22,000 deaths from lung cancer each year in the United States, making that radon the second leading cause of lung cancers in the U.S. As with exposure to asbestos, smoking increases concomitantly the risk of lung cancer from exposure to radon. Radon gas can travel through soil and enter homes through cracks in the foundations, drains, sewers or other openings. The United States Environmental Protection Agency estimates that one in 15 homes in the U.S. contain dangerous levels of radon gas. Radon is invisible and odorless, but can be detected with simple test kits.

The Familial predisposition

Although most lung cancers are associated with the consumption of tobacco and snuff, the fact that not all smokers eventually develop lung cancer suggests that other factors such as individual genetic predisposition may play a role in the the etiology of lung cancer. Many studies have shown that lung cancer is more likely to occur in smokers and nonsmokers of the family of those who have lung cancer than the general population. Recent research has identified a region on the long (q) arm of chromosome 6, which may contain a gene that confers a greater susceptibility to develop lung cancer in smokers.

Lung diseases

The presence of certain lung diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with increased risk (four to six times the risk of a non-smoker) to develop lung cancer, even after the concomitant effects tobacco are excluded.

History of lung cancer

Survivors of lung cancer are more at risk than the general population to develop lung cancer second. Survivors of cancers of small cell lung (NSCLC see below) have an additional risk of 1% -2% per year to develop lung cancer second. Among survivors of non-lung cancer, small cell (CPM, see below), the risk of developing certain cancers secondary approaches 6% annually.

Air pollution

Air pollution from power plants, vehicles and industry can increase the likelihood of developing lung cancer among exposed individuals. Up to 1% of deaths from lung cancer are due to inhalation of contaminated air, and experts believe that prolonged exposure to highly polluted air may pose a risk of developing lung cancer similar to that of passive smoking.

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