LUNG CANCER

Course overview

LUNG CANCER OR BRONCHOGENIC CARCINOMA REFERS TO TUMORS ORIGINATING IN THE LUNG PARENCHYMA OR WITHIN THE BRONCHI. IT IS ONE OF THE LEADING CAUSES OF CANCER-RELATED DEATHS IN THE UNITED STATES. SINCE 1987, LUNG CANCER HAS BEEN RESPONSIBLE FOR MORE DEATHS IN WOMEN THAN BREAST CANCER. IT IS ESTIMATED THAT THERE ARE 225,000 NEW CASES OF LUNG CANCER IN THE UNITED STATES ANNUALLY, AND APPROXIMATELY 160,000 DIE BECAUSE OF LUNG CANCER. IT IS INTERESTING TO NOTE THAT LUNG CANCER WAS A RELATIVELY RARE DISEASE AT THE BEGINNING OF THE 20TH CENTURY. ITS DRAMATIC RISE IN LATER DECADES IS ATTRIBUTABLE PRIMARILY TO THE INCREASE IN SMOKING AMONG BOTH MALES AND FEMALES. THIS ACTIVITY REVIEWS THE CAUSES, PATHOPHYSIOLOGY, AND PRESENTATION OF LUNG CANCER AND HIGHLIGHTS THE ROLE OF THE INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM IN ITS MANAGEMENT.