New Lung Formation
In principle, all nodules of the lungs that have occurred should be further diagnosed. Although benign neoplasms and inflammatory changes can also be found in the lungs, the distinction is often only possible through surgery.
However, malignant tumors are much more common. The most important in terms of numbers is lung cancer (bronchial carcinoma). There are also carcinoids (tumors with neuroendocrine origin), sarcomas and lymphomas with primary lung involvement.
Metastasis of other primary cancers such as colon cancer, breast cancer or renal cell cancer are also often found in the lungs. This is because the lungs have a very good blood supply. Tumor cells that are washed out in the fine blood vessels remain stuck and form daughter tumors.
The Bronchial Carcinoma
Bronchial carcinoma is the most common malignant disease worldwide (12-25% of all malignant tumors).
In Switzerland alone there are around 2,800 deaths every year - that's more than those who die from AIDS, hard drugs, alcohol, traffic accidents, murders and suicides combined.
By far the main cause is nicotine consumption (approx. 90% of all cases; one packet per day, smoked for over 20 years, increases the risk of developing lung cancer 60 times compared to non-smokers).
Very rarely, bronchial carcinoma arises spontaneously (probably due to genetic predisposition), due to natural exposure to radon gas, as in some villages in the canton of Bern, fine dust, benzene compounds, chromium, nickel or arsenic. Men are affected more often than women in a ratio of 3:1, although there is a clear tendency towards equalization in occurrence.