Short Description: Lung cancer, like all cancers, is an uncontrollable increase in cells. It occurs within the lung tissue, but may also affect other nearby tissues and spread beyond the lungs. Cellular/Molecular Basis: Lung cancer has two types; small cells and non-small cells. The two types can be identified by their appearance when viewed under a microscope. It usually affects cells found along the air passages in the lungs. Causes: The main cause of lung cancer is cigarette smoking, which causes approximately 90% of all lung cancer deaths worldwide. However, smoking is not the only way to get it. The second most common cause of lung cancer is exposure to radon gas, created by the decay of uranium. Exposure to asbestos can also cause lung cancer and various other lung diseases. Signs and symptoms: There is a range of symptoms for lung cancer, which include frequent coughing or coughing up blood, difficulty swallowing, weight loss, feeling weak or severe fatigue, pain felt inside the rib cage, swelling in the neck and face, shortness of breath, scratchy or hoarse voice, pneumonia/bronchitis and seizures or headache. It can cause many complications, because the cancer may block the patient's airflow, thus making it more difficult for him to breathe. The secretion could even build up behind the cancer, potentially causing pneumonia. The cancer may also have an abundant blood supply, and if ruptured, the cancer may bleed into the patient's airways. Detection: If lung cancer is suspected, CT scans and X-rays will be performed to determine whether the person has lung cancer. A healthy lung in an x-ray will be consistently dark, while a lung with lung ...... middle of paper ....../toxsci.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/full/64/1/ 4Latest update: 2012Author not specified | Lung Cancer: What is Lung Cancer? | Antigenic | http://www.antigenics.com/diseases/lungcancer.html | Updated Date Unspecified Jennifer Warner and reviewed by Laura J. Martin, MD | New way to treat lung cancer: Study shows targeted radiation therapy can help control non-small cell lung cancer tumors | MD Web | http://www.webmd.com/lung-cancer/news/20100316/new-way-to-treat-inoperable-lung-cancer | March 16, 2010MayoClinic Staff | Lung cancer: prevention | MayoClinic | http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/lung-cancer/DS00038/DSECTION=prevention | November 10, 2011Cris Barrish | Eight cancer clusters discovered in Delaware | Delaware Online | http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20080424/HEALTH/804240339/Eight-cancer-clusters-discovered-in-Delaware | April 24 2012