Lung Cancer - New Diagnostic Tests

Lungs in the human body are two paired organs and perform respiration. Each lung is between ten to twelve inches long. The lungs are separated by the mediastinum, contains the heart, trachea, esophagus and blood vessels. Covering the lungs is the pulmonary pleura membrane. Each day, approximately the average number of breaths is 23,000, and almost 10,000 quarts of air enter the lungs. Air enters the lungs through the nostrils or mouth (Air contains several gases including oxygen) during inhalation. Oxygen is essential to keep alive the cells in the body by providing the energy and growth. The oxygen travels to the tiny air sacs in the lungs called alveoli. Each lung contains approximately 300 to 400 million alveoli. Surrounding the alveoli are minute blood vessels (capillaries), where oxygen is received and carbon dioxide gas is released (Produced when cell breaks down nutrients as part of the body's energy making process). Once oxygen enters the bloodstream through the capillaries, the hemoglobin in the blood receives the oxygen, and arteries carry the oxygen to sustain the life to the tissues throughout the body. The carbon dioxide is exhaled (expiration) out of the lungs through the mouth or nose.

Cancer that forms in the tissues of the lung is called lung cancer, usually in the cells lining the air passages. In the United States, according to the American Lung Association, lung cancer (both men and women) remains the number one cancer killer. Worldwide lung cancer is responsible for up to three million deaths annually. Two main types of lung cancer: Small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer. Diagnosing either type of lung cancer is based upon how the cells look under a microscope. According to the National Cancer Institute, estimated in 2007: Diagnose 213,380 of lung cancer (all types) and 160,390 deaths. According to Lung Cancer Alliance, seventy percent of lung cancer is diagnosed in the late stages, attributing to a high number of deaths. If the tumor (cancer) has spread (metastasized) to other organs, ninety-five percent of patients are dead within five years. Unfortunately, in many cases of lung cancer symptoms become noticeable during the advanced (late) stage and the result is often fatal. Symptoms of lung cancer: Persistent coughing, chest pain, coughing up blood, shortness of breath (wheezing or hoarseness), swelling of the neck and face, repeated problems with pneumonia or bronchitis, loss of appetite or weight loss, and fatigue.

The number one cause of lung cancer (80 percent in women and 90 percent in men) attributed to smoking (carcinogens). The length of time a person continues to smoke and amount of the carcinogen inhale, increases the person's chance of contracting lung cancer. Twenty-five percent of second hand smokers or passive smoking (other people's smoke) are diagnosed with lung cancer. In 1993, the Environmental Protection Agency claimed approximately 3,000 lung cancer related deaths a year were caused by passive smoking. Other factors attributed to the cause of lung cancer: Exposure to radon gas, asbestos, chemical (vinyl chloride, and nickel chromate's) coal products, and family history.

Computerized chest scan (CT) detects lung cancer. However, the test has produced false alarms, detecting both malignant and benign (non-cancerous) spots. Dr. Simon D. Spivack, pulmonologist at Wadsworth Center, the public health laboratory of the New York State Department of Health said: "What we found in middle - age smokers is that 20 to 80 percent of these have nodules (Small masses of tissue in the lungs). But 95 percent of the nodules are not cancer and are not going to be."

Treatment for lung cancer depends on the stage or development of the cancer, and type of lung cancer. Options for treatment include: Surgery to remove the cancer, use of radiation or chemotherapy (medicine) or a combination of treatments. Also, gene therapy is underway to find a new approach to cure lung cancer.

A research study analyzed first breath test, detects early stage of lung cancer, developed
by Menssana Research (New Jersey), when it's most curable, published in Cancer Biomakers, and funded by the National Institute of Health. Dr. Michael Phillips, Chief Executive Officer of Menssana Research said: "We developed a Breathalyzer that is one billion times more sensitive than those the police use to measure alcohol in the breath. It detects around 200 different chemicals in a person's breath, and some of these chemicals are markers of cancer (Test consists of a color sensor, detecting tiny chemical changes in the breath of people with lung cancer). A breath test has great advantages over most other medical tests -- it is completely safe, painless, and non -- invasive. All you have to do is breathe gently into the tube for two minutes. There are no potentially dangerous x -- rays to worry about, and it will certainly be a lot less expensive than chest imaging." Early detection of lung cancer increases the percentage of lives saved, and the prognosis of early treatment is more favorable. The research studied 404 smokers and ex-smokers aged over sixty. The accuracy of the breath test predicted with almost the same results as a computerized tomography or chest CT. The new test can predict the presence of lung cancer in three out of four times. Regardless of age, gender or stage of lung cancer disease, results are not affected. The breath test has not yet been approved by the Food and Drug Administration however maybe made available in European Union. Menssana researchers are developing breath tests to diagnosis early stages of other diseases, including pulmonary tuberculosis, breast cancer, and ischemic heart disease. Previously, the FDA approved Menssana Heartsbreath test, determines if a heart transplant is being rejected and potentially reducing the number of biopsies, transplant patients often have to endure.

In February 2007, a study by researchers from the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, genetic test (Combining HistoRX PM-2000(TM) instrument and AQUA(R) technology) identifies, which early - stage lung cancer patients benefit from chemotherapy (Drugs used to kill microorganisms and cancer cells or cancer fighting drugs), and those patients better off without the treatment. The test measures the activity of two genes: RRM1 and ERCC1. Oncologist Dr. Gerold Bepler (Research Institute in Tampa Florida) said: "Both genes come into play when we are starting to treat people with chemotherapy. If the activity of these genes is high, they are capable of repairing cells. That is good because it means that cancer is not aggressive. But (the genes) can counteract the effects of chemotherapy." According to research, average survival time for those with high activity of the RRM1 gene was more then 120 months, compared to 54.5 months with those who showed low activity. According to Dr. Beepler, the genetic test will undergo trial study by the end of 2007, and results will hopefully be available in two to three years. Dr. Adi F. Gazdar, deputy head of the Harmon Center for Therapeutic Oncology Research at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, recognition of the genetic test said: "It certainly could be extended to many other forms of cancer."