A to Z Medical DiseasesPractical Information on Medical Diseases

If lung cancer (LC) is diagnosed early enough, it can often be resolved with a wedge resection. The diseased portion of lung tissue is cut away from the organ, along with a surrounding perimeter of healthy tissue. In most cases, however, the tumor goes undetected long enough for the cancerous cells to spread. As a result, resolving LC requires a slightly more aggressive approach. The surgeon must remove one of the lobes by performing an operation known as a lobectomy.

Cigarette smoking is the most important cause of lung cancer. Research as far back as the 1950s clearly established this relationship. Cigarette smoke contains more than 4,000 chemicals, many of which have been identified as causing cancer.

The word cancer tends to strike fear into many people as it is associated with a severe illness that in the past many did not survive. Today treatment has improved dramatically, particularly with some forms of cancer. With continued research further improvements will be made.
The disease first manifests itself in our cells and our bodies are made up of millions of cells. Collectively they form our bones, muscles and organs.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of death due to cancer in the United States, though many people are under the impression that only smokers are affected, the truth is that around two-thirds of patients have never smoked or quit. Lung cancer affects more people than the three other major cancer conditions combined – breast, prostrate and colon cancer.
Lung cancer is diagnosed by a series of tests, some or all of which will be utilized by an oncologist (cancer specialist). These tests include the following:

The mitral valve (MV) is one of your heart’s four valves that help to ensure that blood flows in the proper direction and that there is no regurgitation. It is located between the left atrium and left ventricle. Comprised of flaps of tissue called leaflets, the MV opens as the left atrium contracts, thereby allowing blood to flow into the left ventricle. Then, it closes in order to prevent the blood from flowing back into the atrium. If the MV fails to work properly, it can impair your heart’s ability to pump blood throughout your body.

During the early part of the last century, the popularity of cigarette smoking underwent explosive growth among men. Two decades later, women joined the ranks of habitual smokers in droves. Today, lung cancer claims nearly 150,000 lives each year; eighty percent of cases are directly attributed to cigarettes. Despite how deadly it is, the condition is largely avoidable.