Lung cancer is a disease of uncontrolled cell growth in tissues of the
lung. This may lead to metastasis, invasion of adjacent tissue and
infiltration beyond the lungs. Lung cancer, the most common cause of
cancer-related death in men and the second most common in women, is
responsible for 1.3 million deaths worldwide annually. The most common
symptoms are shortness of breath, coughing (including coughing up
blood), and weight loss. The main types of lung cancer are small cell
lung carcinoma and non-small cell lung carcinoma. This distinction is
important because the treatment varies; non-small cell lung carcinoma
(NSCLC) is sometimes treated with surgery, while small cell lung
carcinoma (SCLC) usually responds better to chemotherapy. The most
common cause of lung cancer is exposure to tobacco smoke. The
occurrence of lung cancer in non-smokers, who account for fewer than
10% of cases, appears to be due to a combination of genetic factors.
Radon gas, asbestos, and air pollution may also contribute to lung
cancer. Treatment and prognosis depend upon the histological type of
cancer, the stage (degree of spread), and the patient's performance
status. Possible treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, and
radiotherapy. With treatment, the five-year survival rate is 14%.
Read the rest of this article:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lung_cancer
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Today's selected anniversaries:
1307:
William Tell, a legendary marksman in Switzerland, is said to have
successfully shot an apple on the head of his son with a single bolt
from his crossbow.
(
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Tell)
1626:
St. Peter's Basilica, one of four major basilicas of Rome, was
consecrated on the anniversary of that of the previous church in 326.
(
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Peter%27s_Basilica)
1905:
Prince Carl of Denmark became Haakon VII, the first King of Norway
after the personal union between Sweden and Norway was dissolved.
(
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haakon_VII_of_Norway)
1928:
Walt Disney's Steamboat Willie, the first completely post-produced
synchronized sound animated cartoon, was released.
(
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steamboat_Willie)
1985:
Calvin and Hobbes, a comic strip by Bill Watterson featuring
six-year old Calvin and his stuffed tiger Hobbes, was first published.
(
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calvin_and_Hobbes)
1987:
An underground fire kills 31 people at London's busiest underground
station at King's Cross St Pancras.
(
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King%27s_Cross_fire)
1991:
Croatian War of Independence: Republic of Serbian Krajina forces
captured the Croatian city of Vukovar, ending an 87-day siege.
(
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Vukovar)
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Wiktionary's Word of the day:
prurient: Uneasy with desire; having a lascivious anxiety or
propensity.
(
http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/prurient)
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Wikiquote of the day:
Whatever the scientists may come up with, writers and artists will
continue to portray altered mental states, simply because few aspects
of our nature fascinate people so much. The so-called mad person will
always represent a possible future for every member of the audience —
who knows when such a malady may strike? -- Margaret Atwood
(
http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Margaret_Atwood)