EN CLOSE

English

  Cancer Articles 
 FIND DOCTORS

 MAKE APPOINTMENT

 CONTACT US

CANCER INFO +

SERVICES +

PATIENTS & FAMILY +

ABOUT US +

Cigarette smoking: The silent

Information by
Dr. Ratkawin Jitawatanarat 
Medical Oncology

Smoking cigarettes can unfavorably affect the body in many ways, particularly raising the risks
of serious heart and respiratory diseases. The effect of smoking is caused when substances are
burned and absorbed into the bloodstream. These highly toxic and carcinogenic compounds
contained in cigarettes significantly increase the risks of developing lung cancer, tracheal cancer,
bladder cancer and pancreatic cancer. Moreover, toxic chemicals such as carbon monoxide and
tar cause serious damages to the vessels which eventually lead to ischemic heart disease and
stroke. Although smoking is a hard habit to break since nicotine is highly addictive, smoke
cessation is highly recommended to lower chances of heart and lung conditions.

Statistical data revealed by World Health Organization (WHO) indicates that the tobacco epidemic
is one of the biggest public health threats, killing more than 7 million people a year. Cigarettes are
smoked by over 1.1 billion people globally. More than 7 million of those deaths are the result of
direct tobacco use while around 890,000 deaths are the result of non-smokers being exposed to
second-hand smoke.

Cigarette smoking is a toxic and carcinogenic mixture of more than 7,000 chemicals which badly
affect the body. Among these substances, cigarette contains over 250 toxic substances and 70
carcinogens – substances that promote cancer formation such as acetaldehyde, aromatic amines,
arsenic, benzene and formaldehyde. Apart from lung cancer, smoking can potentially cause other
serious health problems such as cardiovascular and neurological diseases. More importantly,
nonsmokers (secondhand smokers) who are exposed to smoke at home, at work or environment
increase their risk of developing lung cancer.

Non-smokers who breathe in secondhand smoke take in nicotine and other toxic chemicals similar
to smokers do. If women are exposed to second-hand smoke during pregnancy, both mothers and
babies are put at greater risk to develop the abnormalities. Some of the health conditions
associated with being exposed to second-hand smoke are a miscarriage, low birth weight, preterm
birth, birth defects of the mouth and lip, learning or behavioral deficiencies in the child and
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths in the world. Recently, global data
indicates that lung cancer is the most common cancer in the world with 1.8 million deaths per year.
Particularly in Thailand, lung cancer (both small cell and non-small cell) is the second most
common cancer in men and the fourth most common cancer in women. Although lung cancer does
not rank number 1 in terms of its incidence, it remains the most common cause of cancer deaths.
Since lung cancer might not produce any warning signs and symptoms in its early stages, it has
been frequently caught when disease has already progressed with metastasis (spread) to other
organs in the body. Compared to other cancers with higher incidence rates e.g. breast cancer and
prostate cancer, survival rate and life expectancy of lung cancer seems to be lower due to poor
prognosis. Therefore, smoke prevention and cessation is the best possible way to remain healthy.

Cigarette And Lung Cancer

Smoking is the main cause of lung cancer cases, both in smokers and secondhand smokers.
Several types of carcinogens have been found in cigarettes. Other risk factors for lung cancer
include exposure to radon gas which is produced by the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock
and water, exposure to asbestos and other carcinogens in the environment such as arsenic,
chromium and nickel. Family history of lung cancer and genetic mutations also play a role in lung
cancer formation.

Decades ago, lung cancer was considered rare disease. After several forms of cigarettes had been
invented, the incidence of lung cancer dramatically increased. Clinical studies have drawn a
conclusion that a wide range of carcinogens –substances promote cancer formation is the major
cause of lung cancer.

Cigarette or tobacco smoke is made up of thousands chemicals, including several toxic

It has been statistically estimated that without cigarette smoking, the incidence of lung cancer
should reduce significantly up to 80-90% worldwide. However, in Asian population e.g. Thais, 40-
60% of lung cancer cases are not primarily caused by smoking. Obtained from an extensive study,
the major contributing factor of lung cancer development in these population groups is assumed
to be the abnormal gene mutations e.g. EGFR mutations.

Does It Also Induce Other Cancer Types?

Smoking causes the majority of lung cancer cases, both in smokers and secondhand smokers.
Several carcinogens, substances that promote cancer formation have been found in cigarettes
such as acetaldehyde, aromatic amines, arsenic, benzene and formaldehyde. Apart from lung
cancer, smoking can potentially cause other cancers including breast cancer and bladder cancer.

Diagnosis Of Lung Cancer

During early phase, lung cancer may not cause any specific signs and symptoms until it has spread
presented with advanced manifestations. However, some patients with early lung cancer might
have symptoms. The most common symptoms of lung cancer are:

A chronic cough

Coughing up blood or rust-colored sputum (spit or phlegm)

Chest pain which is often worse with deep breathing or coughing

Shortness of breath or wheezing

Hoarseness

Weight loss and loss of appetite

Fatigue and weakness

In addition, bone pain is possible symptom, representing advanced or metastatic stage. To early
screen lung cancer without any signs and symptoms, people with high risk of lung cancer should
consider annual lung cancer screening using low-dose CT (computerized tomography) scan. High
risk groups are defined as having at least a 30 pack-year history of smoking and currently smoke
or having smoke quitting within the past 15 years. A pack year is calculated by multiplying the
number of packs of cigarettes smoked per day by the number of years the person has smoked. For
example, 30 pack-year is equal to smoking 2 packs (40 cigarettes) per day for 15 years. An early
screening by using low-dose CT largely helps to find lung cancer at an earlier stage even before
symptoms arise. Early detection significantly increases the chances of being cured and results in a
better quality of life”.

In case that lung cancer is suspected, additional test is tissue sample. A sample of abnormal cells
in the lungs will be further removed by performing a procedure called a biopsy. A biopsy sample
may also be taken from lymph nodes or other areas where cancer might spread. The pathogenic
results obtained from biopsy reveal the specific characteristics of abnormal cells and type of lung
cancer that determine disease prognosis. After lung cancer has been diagnosed, imaging tests
might be required to determine the extent (stage) of lung cancer. Staging tests may include CT,
MRI and PET/CT. The results from imaging procedures will be used to guide appropriate treatment
plans.

Treatment Of Lung Cancer

The two general types of lung cancer include small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and non-small cell lung
cancer (NSCLC). Lung cancer can be treated in several ways, depending on the type, size, location
and stage whether it has spread to other organs while taking into consideration of individual
patient’s conditions and underlying diseases. Non-small cell lung cancer can be treated with
surgery (as a first line therapy for early stages), chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy,
or a combination of these treatments while small cell lung cancers are usually treated with
radiation therapy and chemotherapy. In stage 4 lung cancer, chemotherapy, targeted and
immunotherapy are major treatments. Targeted drug treatments focus on specific abnormalities
within cancer cells. Targeted drug treatments works by blocking these abnormalities, causing
cancer cells to die. Several targeted therapy drugs are approved to treat lung cancer, even though
most are reserved for patients with advanced or recurrent cancer. In addition, some targeted
therapies only work effectively in patients with certain genetic mutations. Immunotherapy is
considered a novel therapy that uses medicines to stimulate a patient’s immune system (cytotoxic
T-cells) to recognize and destroy cancer cells more effectively. Nevertheless, immunotherapy is
generally reserved for patients with advanced or relapsed lung cancer.

Even though, the advancements in cancer treatment has progressed, resulting in prolonged life
expectancy and improved survival rates, lung cancer has ranked number 1 as the leading cause of
cancer related deaths. Smoking cessation can considerably decrease risks of develop lung cancer
while early detection with low-dose CT significantly helps to identify lung cancer at its earlier
stages, leading to more chances of being cured.

Information by

Dr. Ratkawin
Jitawatanarat
Medical Oncology

 Book  Call Us

SHARE
Facebook
Messenger
TwitterLine Email Copy

Consult a cancer specialist

 Find Doctors  Make Appointment

Medical Oncology Center See More

 (+66) 2755 1188 (Cancer Hotline 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM)

 (+66) 2310 3000 (After 8:00 PM)

 1719 (Local Calls Only)

 [email protected]

Packages & Promotions

Cancer Surgery Packages

Cancer Screening Packages

See All

Related Articles

World Cancer Day 2024: Close the care gap. Get rid of
barriers that stand in the way of cancer treatments.

5S of Supportive Care for Cancer Patients

Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Should Not Be

Vital Signs of Prostate Cancer Before It’s Too Late

See All