Adenocarcinoma of the lung is a form of lung cancer and is one of the most common forms of lung cancers that will affect adults.

To give it a broad classification it can go into 2 types:

1. SCLC – Small Cell Lung Cancer
2. NSCLC – Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

NSCLC can be broken down even further into 3 additional variety classifications:

1. Adenocarcinoma
2. Squamous Cell
3. Large Cell

The conceptual difference between the NSCLC and the SCLC is in the approach that is taken towards diagnostics workup and the treatment planning.

Small cell lung cancer is a type that trends towards wide dissemination when the signs first present themselves. For this reason using chemotherapy is the basis of treatment; however, when it comes to the non small cell lung cancer though it’s often localized to the lung when the cancer is found and for this reason surgical resection, which can be done with or without the use of radiation is the preferred first course of action.

Even though these are both types of lung cancer they are far from the same with each of them having very special characteristics and even their own genetic make-up. Some of the more recent discoveries are giving hope that there will be even more treatment options to improve patient outcome.

Adenocarcinoma

Adenocarcinoma is a type of cancer and like other cancers it is a growth of abnormal cells. When the abnormal cancerous cells start to multiply out of control they then form a tumor. As the tumor continues to grow it then begins to destroy parts of the lung(s).

Eventually what will happen is that the abnormal cells of the tumor are likely going to spread, or metastasize, to other areas of the body. This isn’t always the case; however, it’s a very likely probability.

Spread is going to include:

• Local lymph nodes (in the chest and the central portion of)
• Liver
• Bones
• Adrenal glands
• Other organs even possibly the brain

Although there is a lot of worry in regards to spreading the one bit of good news is that adenocarcinoma is one of the more likely types of cancer to stay contained to one area of the body. If the cancer should be a truly localized one it is more likely to respond to treatments better than another type of cancer. This is especially true when it comes to surgical removal as well as lymph node drainage.

When it comes to lung cancer adenocarcinoma is the most common types. The majority of people that contract adenocarcinoma are those that smoke; however, it is also the most common form found in those that don’t smoke as well. Also for those that are under the age of 45 or a woman.

You’re at a higher risk of adenocarcinoma if you:

• Smoke cigarettes, 13x more likely than a nonsmoker
• Breath cigarette smoke
• Are exposed to asbestos (also increased chance of mesothelioma which is another type of lung cancer)

Also exposure to other workplace carcinogens can increase risk, including:

• Uranium
• Vinyl chloride
• Arsenic
• Coal products
• Mustard gas
• Nickel chromates
• Gasoline
• Chloromethyl ethers
• Diesel exhaust
• High levels of talc dust

Symptoms

The symptoms of adenocarcinoma are going to be like the other forms of lung cancer and can include:

• Cough general or coughing up blood
• Shortness of breath
• Wheezing
• Breathing discomforts
• Chest pains
• Fever
• Cough producing mucus
• Problems and discomfort when swallowing
• Weight loss
• Poor appetite
• Hoarseness

If the cancer has begun its spread to the bones, brain or elsewhere the amount of symptoms will likely increase including different types associative with the affected area.

You’ll also notice that some certain types of lung cancer can also cause unusual finger growth which is referred to as clubbing. Basically the outer portions of the fingers are going to look like they are little clubs.

Diagnosis

Your doctor is going to ask you a series of questions and just part of it will be if you’re a smoker or have lived with a smoker. Should you be a smoker you’ll be asked how long you’ve smoked and how much. You’ll also be asked to recollect the places you might of worked where you’d of been exposed to either asbestos or other carcinogens. Based upon your history your doctor might make an assessment that you likely have a form of lung cancer.

You’ll be examined with special attention being paid to both your lungs and your chest. For confirmation purposes you’ll receive a chest x-ray. The chest x-ray is going to show if there are any masses. If there are those masses could be cancer.

If there is anything suspicious shown on the x-ray your doctor will order a CT scan. The CT scan is what will confirm both the size and the locations of any masses or tumors.

There will be additional testing done to confirm the diagnosis as well as to establish the specific type of lung cancer that you have and in addition how far that cancer has spread.

Treatment

If the cancer is shown that it hasn’t spread to outside areas of the body surgery is one of the most likely options. The surgery could be to just remove part of the lung which is a wedge resection, a lobectomy which is the removal of an entire lob of the lung or a pneumonectomy which is the removal of the entire lung.

Chemotherapy and radiation therapy are likelihoods before and/or after surgery. This depends on the stage of the cancer and also how far the cancer has spread.

For someone that has a medical problem that would make it very hard to go through surgery they will likely receive radiation treatments to shrink the tumor or chemotherapy and radiation in concert. Chemotherapy is something that is recommended especially when there is substantial spread since it will slow the growth even if it can’t cure. In many advanced stages it is known to prolong life.

Prognosis

The prognosis is very subjective to each patient. It will depend on both the stage of the cancer as well as the overall health of the individual. Generally speaking the prognosis is very poor. The prognosis is only going to get worse the further the lung cancer spreads going outside of the chest wall or if it has started to involve the lymph nodes.

Surgery or radiation is the only way that can cure the cancer assuming the entire tumor can be removed. The unfortunate reality though is that most lung cancers are diagnosed when they are at the stage where it is not possible.

For those that are diagnosed with adenocarcinoma only approximately 17% of those people will live for more than 5 years after their diagnosis.