How a Cell Becomes a Cancer

Cells are the building blocks of all tissue and organs in the human body. Each cell contains genetic material (DNA) and other elements. DNA controls the growth rate of cells.

Normal cells grow and multiply at a specific rate. Cells that grow and multiply without stopping are called cancerous or malignant. Cancerous cells are not detectable when they first start growing. At a certain point, the cancerous cells continue to multiply and form a mass that can be detected. Abnormal cell growth could go on for years before it is large enough to be detected.

What is Lung Cancer?

Cancer that forms in tissues of the lung, usually in the cells lining air passages. The two main types are small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer. These types are diagnosed based on how the cells look under a microscope.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death for both men and women. Lung cancer is also the most preventable cancer, since most cases are related to tobacco use.

Estimated new cases and deaths from lung cancer (non-small cell and small cell combined) in the United States in 2008:

• New cases: 215,020
  
• Deaths: 161,840

(source: National Cancer Institute, Accessed June 2008)

Common Symptoms

Early stages of lung cancer may have no symptoms. Some symptoms may include:

• Cough that does not go away or gets worse over time
  
• Chest pain
  
• Shortness of breath, wheezing or hoarseness
  
• Weight loss and loss of appetite
  
• Coughing up blood
  
• Fever without a known reason
  
• Repeated problems with pneumonia or bronchitis

For resources about lung cancer, please visit our Healthwise Lung Cancer Overview page.

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