Adenocarcinoma and Bronchioloalveolar Cell Carcinoma

Adenocarcinoma occurs in approximately 40% of the cases of Lung Cancer

Arises from the mucus glands or within the tissue of the terminal bronchioles

Can be seen as a mass or as an infiltrate

4 main types account for over 90% of Lung Cancers

1.  Squamous Cell Lung Carcinoma
2.  Lung Adenocarcinoma
3.  Large Cell Lung Carcinoma
4.  Small Cell Lung Carcinoma

Symptoms:
   -    Cough
   -    Sputum [Blood and/or mucus]
   -    Shortness of Breath
   -    Wheezing
   -    Dyspnea
   -    Weight Loss
   -    Fatigue
   -    Loss of appetite
   -    Difficulty swallowing   [Dysphagia]
   -    Asthenia - lack or loss of strength, weakness
   -    Seizures
   -    Change in voice
   -    Nausea
   -    Headache

Treatment:

Is unlikely without resection – but not all individuals can handle surgery

Stage I and II – surgery is a possibility

Stage IIIA has very limited success with surgery alone

Stage IIIB requires combo of chemotherapy and radiation

Stage IV is palliative or symptom therapy with little shown success with regards to curative

Chemotherapy:
·         Cisplatin   (Platinol)
·         Camptosar
·         Camptothecin
·         Carboplatin   (Paraplatin)
·         Epirubicin
·         Etoposide
·         Taxol   (Paclitaxal)
·         Topotecan   (Hycamtin)