Florida Tobacco Lawyer
Lung Cancer
- Print this Article
- Text Size: A A
Editor: C. Calvin Warriner
Profession: Cigarette & Tobacco Attorney
Lung Cancer Drug Trial Results
Category: Lung Cancer
Lung cancer is the deadliest cancer in the United States. It is estimated that 87% of lung cancer deaths result from smoking, and that hundreds of thousands of Americans are living with lung cancer caused by smoking today. In a new lung cancer drug trial, researchers have discovered that pemetrexed (Altima) and either cisplatin (Platinol) or carboplatin (Paraplatin) offer safe, effective treatment for patients with newly diagnosed extensive small cell lung cancer (SCLC).
The October 20, 2006, issue of the Journal of Clinical Oncology reports the details of this multicenter, randomized phase II trial.
Symptoms of Lung Cancer
Category: Lung Cancer
While lung cancer does not often show symptoms in its early stages, when it reaches the more advanced stages, lung cancer symptoms may include:
Chronic cough
Coughing up blood
Chest pain
Weight loss/loss of appetite
Hoarseness
Shortness of breath
Wheezing
Repeated bronchitis or pneumonia
About Lung Cancer and Smoking
Category: Lung Cancer
According to the American Cancer Society and the American Lung Association, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths for men and women, and cigarette smoking or tobacco use is directly responsibly for more than 87% of lung cancer cases in the U.S. each year.
Lung cancer generally takes two main forms: non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC). NSCLC is the most common and less aggressive form, occurring in about 75 to 80% of all cases.
After being breathed into the lungs for a period of time, the carcinogens (or toxins) found in cigarette smoke cause damage to the cells, which may become cancerous.