Question 1

can lung cancer be cured?

Accepted Answer

Yes: It depends, though, on the type of cancer, its stage and other factors (presence of other diseases, immune system status, correctly prescribed therapy, etc.).

Question 2

is lung cancer hereditary?

Accepted Answer

Rarely: The vast majority of lung cancer is thought to be caused by tobacco exposure.  A small percentage of the lung cancer cases in non smokers are thought to be hereditary.

Question 3

how likely is surviving lung cancer?

Accepted Answer

Stage dependent: Odds of surviving lung cancer depend upon the stage (extent/spread) of the cancer at the time of diagnosis.  A small tumor that is confined to the lung and has not spread to lymph nodes (stage 1) may be completely cured.  An advanced tumor that is large and has spread to lymph nodes and other organs (such as brain/liver/adrenal glands) will be treated but will be challenging to completely cure.

Question 4

what can we expect from lung cancer?

Accepted Answer

From nothing: To terminal.
Early on, no symptoms. May be identified on x-ray or ct for something independent.
Cough
hemoptysis- coughing blood
pain in apex or chest wall
shortness of breath.
Progress from tiny, to small stage 1, to local spread to lymph nodes, 
to spread with distant metastasis stage 4.

Question 5

what increases risk for lung cancer.?

Accepted Answer

Lung CA Risk Factors: Include:  smoking, radon, asbestos (mesothelioma), radiation therapy to the lungs, & some vitamins (beta carotene)
http://www.Cancer.Org/cancer/lungcancer-non-smallcell/overviewguide/lung-cancer-non-small-cell-overview-what-causes.

Question 6

is pneuomonia a symptom of lung cancer?

Accepted Answer

Sometimes: Some lung cancers cause obstruction of the air passage with atelectasis=collapse and pneumonia as a result.
If pneumonia does not resolve with usual treatment, ct scan and followup ct may be indicated to uncover a sneaky cancer.

Question 7

how likely is survival from lung cancer?

Accepted Answer

Depends on stage: The survival depends on size of tumor, presence of lymph nodes and distant disease at the time of diagnosis. Stage 1 disease can have 5 yr survival rates between 80-90%. Advanced disease, stage 3 and 4 have poor 5 yr survival rates.

Question 8

in what ways can lung cancer be treated?

Accepted Answer

Several: Possible treatments for lung cancer include surgery, radiation therapy, radiofrequency ablation, conventional chemotherapy, targeted molecular biological therapies, and others.  The main determinants of the "best" therapy for a given patient are the stage (extent) of the cancer and the patients underlying health and lung function status. 
Smoking cessation is very important.  Hope that this helps.

Question 9

are there different types of lung cancer?

Accepted Answer

Multiple: There are multiple types of lung cancers based on cells that cancer originates from. Two broad categories are small cell which tends to be more systemic, and non-small cell that tends to be more localized in the lung to start. There are different variants within these categories. Also many lung lesions are actually from cancers elsewhere in body. Metastatic disease.

Question 10

symptoms of lung cancer include what things?

Accepted Answer

Several things: Early symptoms of lung cancer include chronic coughing, chest pain, coughing up blood, and fatigue.   When more advanced the problems worsen and the symptoms more widespread.

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Is pneuomonia a symptom of lung cancer?

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In what ways can lung cancer be treated?

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Are there different types of lung cancer?

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Symptoms of lung cancer include what things?

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