In the case of lung cancer, the changes occur in the lungs.
As the disease progresses, other areas of the body may be involved as well.
What does pathophysiology mean?
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Causes
There are several possible causes of lung cancer.
The leading cause of lung cancer is smoking tobacco.
Other exposures that can lead to lung cancer are secondhand smoke, radon, air pollution, and asbestos.
Some workplace exposures like diesel exhaust and other chemicals can also raise the risk of lung cancer.
Inherited Gene Mutation
Its possible to inherit a DNA mutation from one or both of your parents.
Its important to note that inherited mutations alone usually do not lead to cancer.
They simply increase our risk.
This is often seen in individuals withadenocarcinomawho do not have a history of smoking.
These mutations often occur due to environmental exposures and cause changes in the DNA of lung cells.
These changes can then lead to abnormal cell growth and possibly cancer.
DNA is a chemical in our cells that makes up our genes.
A 2020 meta-analysis found that there was no link between mutations in theBRCA1orBRCA2genes and lung cancer.
Tobacco Smoke
Exposure to tobacco smoke is the leading risk factor for developing lung cancer.
Secondhand smoke can raise your risk of developing lung cancer.
Its estimated that secondhand smoke leads to 7,000 deaths from lung cancer each year.
Radon
Radonis a naturally occurring radioactive gas that you cannot see, smell, or taste.
Breathing in small amounts every day raises your risk for lung cancer over time.
Radon exists naturally in the soil and comes up into buildings through small cracks or gaps in the floor.
Exposure to these minerals at work raises your risk for lung cancer, especially if you also smoke.
Asbestos exposure usually occurs at work.
People who may have a history of chest radiation include those treated forHodgkin lymphomaor breast cancer.
Talk with your doctor if lung cancer runs in your family, especially if you experience other risk factors.
Cancer research is constantly evolving, and we may learn of additional causes in the future.
Often,lung cancer symptomspresent once the cancer has begun to spread.
The leading cause of lung cancer is exposure to tobacco smoke.
Other possible causes include radon, asbestos, radiation, and air pollution.
Gene mutations, either inherited or acquired, may raise your risk of developing lung cancer.
Signs and symptoms include a persistent cough, coughing up blood, chest pain, and loss of appetite.
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