Semantics of Lungs Cancer - Then, Now, Tomorrow

Abstract

Cancer is a major problem in today’s world. Lung cancer is the most common type of cancer in the world (12.3% of all cancer types), with an estimated 1.2 million new cases in the year of 2000, recorded alone (D.M , 2001). Tobacco smokers are at a 20 to 30 fold higher risk of developing\n Lung cancers. In 2000, it was found that lung cancer resulted in 1.1 million deaths worldwide, or 17.8% of all cancer deaths. However, only 11% of heavy cigarette smokers ultimately developed lung cancer, suggesting the prevalence, involvement of genetic factors (SM & MR, 2001). A brief\n review of molecular aberrations, chromosomal changes, mutations, signalling patterns shall be briefly encountered in this review article. In this present article, major histologic types of lung cancer-squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, small cell carcinoma, and large cell carcinoma,\n alongwith more specific subtypes such as lepidic predominant subtype of adenocarcinoma or the basaloid variant of large cell carcinoma shall be briefly encountered upon. The present Global statistics shall also be briefly portrayed herein.