Lung cancer causes
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Lung cancer Microchapters |
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Diagnosis |
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Treatment |
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Case Studies |
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Lung cancer causes On the Web |
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American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Lung cancer causes |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief: Kim-Son H. Nguyen, M.D., M.P.A., Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston MA, Cafer Zorkun, M.D., Ph.D. [2]
Overview
The direct cause of lung cancers is DNA mutations that often result in either activation of proto-oncogenes (e.g. K-RAS) or the inactivation of tumors suppressor genes (e.g. TP53) or both. The risk of these genetic mutations may be increased following exposure to environmental components.
Causes
- Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer.
- The direct cause of lung cancers is DNA mutations that often result in either activation of proto-oncogenes (e.g. K-RAS) or the inactivation of tumors suppressor genes (e.g. TP53) or both.
- The risk of these genetic mutations may be increased following exposure to environmental components, which are regarded as risk factors that predispose to the development of lung cancer.
- To view a comprehensive list of risk factors that increase the risk of lung cancer, click here