Final answer:
Lung cancer is defined by uncontrolled cell growth in lung tissues, with symptoms like coughing and chest pain. Treatments can harm normal tissues due to their non-discriminatory nature against rapidly dividing cells. It commonly spreads to the brain and is a major cause of cancer-related deaths.
Step-by-step explanation:
Lung cancer is a condition characterized by uncontrolled cell growth in the tissues of the lung. This can be a primary lung cancer, arising from the lung tissue itself, or secondary, resulting from metastasis from another part of the body. Symptoms typically include coughing, coughing up blood, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest pain, and weight loss. The left lung, where the cancer is in question, is pyramid-shaped and possesses a cardiac notch to accommodate the heart.
When discussing the spread of lung cancer, it is factual that lung cancer can commonly spread to the brain. Treatment for lung cancer often involves surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. However, these treatments can damage normal tissue because they target rapidly dividing cells, which are characteristic of both cancerous and some types of normal cells.
The hilum is a structure on the mediastinal surface of the lungs through which essential structures such as blood vessels and nerves enter the lungs. Unfortunately, lung cancer is often diagnosed late, making it more difficult to cure and a leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Advanced cases often have spread beyond the original site by the time of diagnosis, revealing why early detection and treatment are crucial.