Emphysema and lung cancer are separate diseases but share risk factors, such as smoking, and can occur together. Emphysema is characterized by lung tissue destruction, while lung cancer is the growth of malignant cells in lung tissue. Both diseases have lower survival rates when occurring together.
Lung cancer and emphysema are two separate diseases that cause damage to the lungs. Emphysema, however, does not lead to lung cancer. The relationship between these diseases is based on reciprocal risk factors, i.e. smoking. A person with emphysema is ultimately at a higher risk of developing lung cancer. This is because the complications of smoking can range from lung tissue damage (emphysema) to lung cell damage (cancer).
Emphysema is a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease characterized by the destruction of lung tissue and irreversible enlargement of the air sacs, or alveoli. Those air sacs supply oxygen and remove carbon dioxide from the blood. The walls of the alveoli lose elasticity as they progressively enlarge. In fact, they cannot fill themselves adequately with fresh air, which leads to respiratory problems. This is one reason why shortness of breath is often a classic symptom of emphysema.
The stages of emphysema usually occur gradually, and signs of the disease commonly develop after age 50. However, lung damage can occur before symptoms appear. Smoking is a leading cause of emphysema, accounting for more than half of all cases worldwide. Prolonged exposure to lung irritants, such as industrial dust and fumes, as well as living in areas with poor air quality, can also lead to the disease.
There is no direct relationship between lung cancer and emphysema because one disease does not cause the other and they occur independently of each other. However, they share risk factors that determine their prevalence and therefore create an indirect relationship. These risk factors may explain why lung cancer is likely to develop in someone who already has emphysema.
Lung cancer is characterized by the growth of malignant cells in lung tissue. In healthy people, the bronchial airways are lined with two layers of cells. These layers begin to increase with lung cancer, and the mucus-secreting cells disappear and are replaced by a mass of disorganized cells with abnormal nuclei. The growing mass eventually penetrates the underlying cell membrane, and the cancer cells can then travel to other parts of the body.
Lung cancer is classified into two general types that determine the course of treatment: small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer. Most cases of lung cancer are caused by exposure to tobacco smoke, radon or asbestos. Similar to emphysema, smoking is a major culprit in lung cancer.
The risk of developing lung cancer increases with emphysema even in people who have never smoked. This is likely due to sharing additional risk factors, such as genetics, occupational exposures, and environmental pathogens. Lung cancer and emphysema also share physiological characteristics. Among these are stiffness of the lungs, decreased oxygen in the blood, and chronic cough.
Lung cancer and emphysema are also linked in terms of patient prognosis. Patients with both diseases have much lower survival rates than those with emphysema alone. The prognosis of emphysema depends on many factors, including lifestyle and general health. Treatment options for emphysema include the use of steroids and supplemental oxygen, moderate aerobic activity, and taking steps to prevent lung infections. Lung cancer treatment, on the other hand, largely depends on the size and location of the tumor.
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