How does cancer affect the levels of organization?
Cancer compromises the normal structure and function of tissues, cells, and genes so that it appears as a multilevel phenomenon. The biology of cancer is thus giving us interesting insights on the organization of a biological system and its hierarchical phenomenology.
How does lung cancer affect the organ system?
Lung cancer can start anywhere in the lungs and may affect any part of the respiratory system. This can cause breathing or heart problems, such as: Pleural effusion, which is the buildup of fluid between the outer lining of the lungs and the chest wall. This is a common condition with lung cancer.
What is the progression of lung cancer?
Non-small cell lung cancer has four main stages: Stage 1: Cancer is found in the lung, but it has not spread outside the lung. Stage 2: Cancer is found in the lung and nearby lymph nodes. Stage 3: Cancer is in the lung and lymph nodes in the middle of the chest.
Who does lung cancer affect the most?
Most people diagnosed with lung cancer are 65 or older; a very small number of people diagnosed are younger than 45. The average age of people when diagnosed is about 70. Lung cancer is by far the leading cause of cancer death among both men and women, making up almost 25% of all cancer deaths.
What level of organization does cancer start with?
Cell changes and cancer All cancers begin in cells. Our bodies are made up of more than a hundred million million (100,000,000,000,000) cells. Cancer starts with changes in one cell or a small group of cells. Usually, we have just the right number of each type of cell.
What are the levels of organization smallest to largest?
The levels, from smallest to largest, are: molecule, cell, tissue, organ, organ system, organism, population, community, ecosystem, biosphere.
How does lung cancer affect the rest of the body?
Lung cancer can affect more than just your lungs. Once you have a tumor in your lung, cancer cells can break off and form new tumors nearby or if wayward cancer cells enter the lymphatic system or bloodstream, they can travel to other parts of the body. This process is called metastasis.
What do you need to know about lung cancer?
Lung Cancer 101. What Is Lung Cancer? Lung cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in one or both lungs. These abnormal cells do not carry out the functions of normal lung cells and do not develop into healthy lung tissue.
Where does cancer grow in the respiratory system?
Respiratory system. As cancerous cells in the lung divide and multiply, they form a tumor. Over time, new tumors can grow nearby within the lungs or in the membranes around the lungs. The membranes around the lungs are called pleura.
Who is responsible for the development of lung cancer?
Development of lung cancer The development of lung cancer is believed to be a combination of the exposure to environmental exposures and an individual’s susceptibility to those agents. In the U.S., active smoking is responsible for approximately 90 percent of all lung cancers.
How are lung cells affected by lung cancer?
With each new mutation, the lung tissue cell becomes more mutated and may not be as effective in carrying out its function as a lung cell. At a later stage of disease, some cells may travel away from the original tumor and start growing in other parts of the body.
What can increase the risk of small cell lung cancer?
Radon exposure in concentrated amounts, which can sometimes occur inside a home, usually in a basement, can increase the risk of lung cancer. The incidence of small cell lung cancer in the United States has been declining over the last two decades, which most researchers attribute to the decline in smoking in the country.
How does metastasis of lung cancer occur in the body?
Metastasis occurs when cancer cells separate from the original tumor and move through the body via the blood or lymph system. They often travel to the brain, bones, liver and adrenal glands. At that point, any metastatic tumors that develop in another area of the body are still considered lung cancer, because they are made up of lung cancer cells.
What does it mean if you have lung cancer?
Lung cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in one or both lungs. These abnormal cells do not carry out the functions of normal lung cells and do not develop into healthy lung tissue.