Lung Cancer - An Overview

In this article series, we take a look at some of the basic facts and information about lung cancer ...

Introduction

The body is made up of many types of cells. Normally these cells grow, divide, and produce more cells as needed to keep the body healthy and functioning properly.

Normal cells constantly reproduce themselves throughout a person's life, but they do so in a systematic and controlled manner. Usually normal cell growth occurs, so worn out tissues can be replaced and wounds repaired.

Sometimes, however, this process goes off track and cells start to grow out of control. They form a mass, and this mass is called a tumour. Tumours can be either benign or malignant.

Cancer is an illness in which abnormal cells in organs and tissues in the body grow out of control. These cells grow and increase in prolific numbers over a period of time. Cancer cells invade and destroy the tissue surrounding them. They split away from a malignant tumour and enter the bloodstream or lymphatic system. (These are the tissues and organs that produce, store, and carry white blood cells which fight infection and other diseases).

This process is called metastasis and it is how cancer spreads from the original (primary) tumour to form new (secondary) tumours in other parts of the body.

Benign tumours are not cancerous. They can usually be removed and, in most cases, they don't come back. Cells in benign tumours do not spread to other parts of the body and most significantly, benign tumours are rarely a threat to life.

The article series "Lung Cancer - An Overview" continues on the next page ...

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