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

_______________________________ 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)

_____________________ Wiktionary's Word of the day:

prurient: Uneasy with desire; having a lascivious anxiety or propensity. (http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/prurient)

_____________________ 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)