LungBlog

 Lung cancer causes 30 percent of all cancer deaths per year making it the leading cause of cancer death in the United States on an annual basis.

It takes more lives annually than breast cancer, prostate cancer, colon cancer, liver cancer, kidney cancer, and melanoma combined. More than 50% of the time, new lung cancer cases are diagnosed at a very late stage, making them difficult to treat effectively. In fact, only 5 to 10 percent of those diagnosed with advanced lung cancer will reach the five year survival plateau.

Recent improvements in diagnostic technology, biopsy and treatment techniques have enhanced the clinician’s ability to accurately diagnose, stage and treat lung cancer. Perhaps no other improvement has been as important as the use of computed tomography, often called a CT or CAT scan, as a front line screening tool in detecting early stage lung cancer in asymptomatic patients.

November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month. Unfortunately, lung cancer does not get much press, even though it takes the lives of more Americans each year than breast, prostate, colon liver and kidney cancers and melanoma combined.This year, for the first time, both houses of the state Legislature have memorialized November as Lung Cancer Awareness Month. Both Gov. Eliot Spitzer and Albany Mayor Jerry Jennings have signed proclamations declaring November as Lung Cancer Awareness Month.

Anyone interested in watching lung cancer surgery can tune in on their computer this week and see it for themselves.Surgeons at Sentara Heart Hospital in Norfolk will perform a lobectomy - removal of part of the lung - on a lung cancer patient Thursday afternoon. The surgery is done through a small incision under the arm and is expected to last two to three hours.

THE root of a Chinese herb could be the key to a breakthrough in the treatment of lung cancer, doctors said yesterday.

Research carried out on tissue samples donated by Irish lung cancer patients has shown promising results when the drug, which is called Baicalein, is combined with chemotherapy.

A Lyndhurst family donated $1.5 million to University Hospitals to create a lung cancer chair.

Morton and Rosalie Cohen presented the award recently in honor of oncologist Dr. Nathan Levitan, who treated Rosalie during her long bout with lung cancer, which included several recurrences.

Cyclacel Pharmaceuticals Inc. said Monday it will continue enrolling patients in its midstage program for lung-cancer treatment candidate seliciclib, despite a shortage of continuing patients.

The MAGE-A3 vaccine used in this study is manufactured by Glaxo-Smith-Kline, and is currently showing promise in Phase III trials in small cell lung cancer, the researchers said.

Riverain Medical’s OnGuard technology being evaluated to determine how chest X-CAD could transform common radiological procedure into high-tech tool for early detection, increased patient survival

What type of cancer is the deadliest in the United States?
If you said prostate cancer or breast cancer, guess again. The deadliest cancer, according to the American Legacy Foundation, is lung cancer. According to the National Cancer Institute this year will see 213,000 new cases of lung cancer in this country and 160,000 deaths from the disease.
The numbers are staggering as we consider the lost potential of that number of people. In most cases, the loss is felt by family members, friends and colleagues who watch as these people suffer through a terrible illness and in all too many occurrences do not survive.
While smoking is the greatest cause of lung cancer, it is far from the only risk factor involved. Exposure to radon, asbestos and other substances can create a great risk for lung cancer. Air pollution, family history of lung cancer and age are also other factors involved.

 Lung cancer is one of the most deadly forms of the disease, responsible for almost 15 percent of all cancer diagnoses.

Fortunately there is a simple test that can catch it early, and perhaps save your life