Pulmonology and Critical Care

Lung cancer

Lung cancer is a condition that causes cells to divide in the lungs uncontrollably. This causes the growth of tumors that reduce a person's ability to breathe. In lung cancer, this pattern of cell overgrowth occurs in the lungs, which are vital organs for breathing and gas exchange. Cigarette smoking is the principal risk factor for development of lung cancer, Passive exposure to tobacco smoke (passive smoking) also can cause lung cancer in non-smokers. The two types of lung cancer, which grow and spread differently, are small-cell lung cancers (SCLC) and non-small-cell lung cancers (NSCLC). Medical professionals also refer to them as small-cell lung carcinoma and non q-small-cell lung carcinoma.