Lung Cancer Different In Non-Smokers?

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VANCOUVER, CANADA (GaeaTimes.com)- A new research which was carried out by scientists at the Vancouver based BC Cancer Agency Research Centre has highlighted startling details about lung cancer. The study reveals that lung cancer that develops among people who are chain smokers is a different disease from the cancer that non-smokers develop. According to the research, the tumors in non-smokers had twice the number of genetic abnormalities that those found in people who are current or former smokers. The findings of the study came to light after it was presented at the American Association of Cancer Research conference in Philadelphia earlier this week.

In order to carry out the study, the scientists at the BC Cancer Agency Research Centre evaluated the DNA of lung cancer tumors from around 83 patients which included 30 non-smokers and 53 patients who were present chain smokers or have kicked the habit in the past. These cells were then compared with the healthy cells of the same patients which enabled them to come to the conclusion that the cancer cells from smokers was significantly different from those cells which were acquired from non-smokers. However, researchers have emphasized that the findings of the study need to be further reviewed and the findings have to be verified taking into account different patients.

Kelsie Thu, who is associated with the Vancouver based cancer research center and is the lead author of the study has noted that the difference that is seen in the lung cancer tumors of the smokers in comparison to the non-smokers point out that they probably arise in a different manner. The researcher added that if they have different ways of development then it is likely that they can be treated as different diseases.