Epidermoid carcinoma is a type of lung cancer that occurs in the top layer of lung tissue or bronchi, and slowly becomes a mass or tumor. The masses which develop are often said to resemble fish scales, and they are typically slow growing and easier to treat than certain other forms of lung cancer. Anyone can develop epidermoid carcinoma, but it is more common in those who smoke or those who have come in contact with certain substances, such as asbestos.
The diagnosis of epidermoid carcinoma is usually made after initial symptoms are reported, or during an exam for an unrelated health issue in which the doctor may notice a mass or multiple small masses in the lungs. Because of the disease’s slow growing nature, the five year survival rate is higher than for many other forms of cancer if it is caught early. Treatments may include chemotherapy, tumor removal surgery, or radiation therapy. These may be used alone or in combination with one another, depending on how far progressed the cancer is.
Higher-staged cancers may require more aggressive treatments, especially if the epidermoid carcinoma has spread beyond the lungs. In very progressed cases, cancer cells may migrate into the deeper lung tissues, the heart, or other organs in the body. The further the cancer has spread, the more difficult it is to treat. Long-term survival for progressed lung cancer is often unlikely even with treatment.
Symptoms of epidermoid carcinoma may include shortness of breath, coughing, and pain in the chest region. Fatigue and weight loss may also occur. Since these symptoms are often typical of many other less severe illnesses, patients often wait to seek treatment. This makes catching the cancer in its earliest stages harder to do. Anyone who has any of the aforementioned symptoms for longer than two weeks with no known cause should seek medical advice. Cancer is unlikely, but should be ruled out.
Those who smoke cigarettes or those who have a history of working around asbestos and other lung irritants are at a much higher risk for developing epidermoid carcinoma. Chemicals which enter the lungs may make cells more likely to mutate, and cancer is sometimes the end result. If asbestos exposure occurred on the job, there are several attorneys who specialize in handling this type of case. Asbestos is a known irritant and was frequently used in the construction and other industries for many years.
