Chemotherapy can cure lung cancer in some cases. It is often used in combination with other treatments. The likelihood of a successful outcome depends on the type of lung cancer, whether it has spread, and how healthy the patient is overall.
How Prevalent Is Lung Cancer in the United States?
According to Cancer.org, lung cancer is the second most common form of cancer and is responsible for more deaths than any other form of cancer. Over 200,000 adults in the United States are diagnosed with the disease annually. The number of people newly diagnosed with lung cancer has been declining in recent years.
Non-small cell lung cancer begins in epithelial cells that line the airways and produce mucus. There are three types of non-small cell lung cancer that begin in different types of cells. The National Institutes of Health states that small cell lung cancer begins in nerve cells or cells that produce hormones. The vast majority of people with lung cancer have a non-small cell form.
Smoking is the most common cause of small cell lung cancer. Non-small cell lung cancer may be caused by smoking or by exposure to a carcinogen in the environment.
Death rates among lung cancer patients have been on a downward trajectory for several reasons. More people who smoked are quitting, and many are choosing not to start in the first place. Diagnosis and treatment for lung cancer have also improved.
How Is Lung Cancer Treated?
Lung cancer is in most cases treatable, but the effectiveness of the treatment depends on how large the tumor is, where it is located, whether the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, and how healthy the patient is overall. If a tumor begins growing in the lung and then sheds cancer cells, they can be carried to other parts of the body through the bloodstream or lymph nodes. That can cause cancer to spread in a process known as metastasis. Cancer that has metastasized is often more difficult to cure.
Some people with lung cancer do not show any symptoms and only learn that they have it when they undergo a test, such as a CT scan, for an unrelated reason. By the time the cancer is diagnosed, it may be at an advanced stage.
A doctor may recommend one or more treatments based on the stage of cancer, the patient’s overall health and preferences, and potential side effects. Common treatments include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. A combination of therapies is generally more effective than one treatment alone.
If chemotherapy is used, a doctor may prescribe multiple drugs. Chemo has cured lung cancer in many people, but there are no guarantees.
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What Caused Your Lung Cancer?
Although lung cancer is typically associated with smoking, many people who have lung cancer quit smoking long before they became ill or never smoked at all. Exposure to carcinogens such as asbestos and radon can cause lung cancer.
According to The Mesothelioma Center, asbestos is a naturally occurring type of fiber that was mined because of its strength and fire-resistant properties and was used for decades in construction, firefighting, and military applications. It was also a component in automotive parts and many common household products. Even though asbestos was later discovered to be a carcinogen, many companies continued to use it and put the public at risk.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explains that radon is an odorless, radioactive gas that is formed when uranium and other elements in rocks, soil, and water break down. People can be exposed to radon if they live or work in a basement. Since the gas is odorless, those who are exposed are often unaware of it. They may develop lung cancer years later and not know what caused it. Even though radon testing is relatively simple and inexpensive, building owners and employers often do not test for the dangerous gas.
You May Be Entitled to Financial Compensation for Your Lung Cancer
If you have been diagnosed with lung cancer and you do not believe that smoking was the cause, another carcinogen may be responsible for your disease. If you worked at a job or lived in a home where you were exposed to asbestos or radon, or if you used one or more products that contained asbestos, and you later developed lung cancer, you may be entitled to a financial award. Contact a lung cancer lawsuit lawyer to discuss the details of your case.
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Call a Lung Cancer Lawsuit Lawyer Today
Pintas & Mullins Law Firm has been representing clients in personal injury cases since 1985. We have sought justice for people who developed lung cancer after being exposed to asbestos or radon. Our firm may be able to obtain an award on your behalf based on the facts of your case. If you were exposed to asbestos and the company responsible has declared bankruptcy, we may be able to secure a financial award from a trust fund set up to compensate asbestos victims.
We understand that if you are dealing with medical bills and lost wages, you may think that you could not afford to hire an attorney. Pintas & Mullins Law Firm works on a contingency fee basis. That means we only get paid if we obtain financial compensation for you. Contact us today at (800) 217-6099 to discuss your case with a member of our team.
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