Written By: Shraddha Rupavate | Updated : October 10, 2014 3:35 PM IST
The presence of cancer-causing genes or oncogenes in humans is well-known. But can you imagine cancerous cells resting in dormant phase for years together before becoming active? A study published in the US journal Science has revealed that lung cancer can be silent in the state of dormancy for over 20 years before it actually becomes aggressive.
For the study, researchers at the Cancer Research UK assessed cancerous cells from seven different lung cancer patients, including those who were smokers, ex-smokers and non-smokers.
It was found that after specific mutation in the genes, which transforms a normal cell into a cancerous one, the cell can exist undetected for several years until new, additional mutations or faults trigger rapid proliferation of the disease, Xinhua reported.
Currently, two-third of lung cancer patients are directly diagnosed with advanced forms of the disease when there is lesser chance of successful treatment. According to the researchers, this study could provide insight into improving early detection of the disease. 'By understanding how it develops we've opened up the disease's evolutionary rule book in the hope that we can start to predict its next steps,' study author Charles Swanton, professor at the Cancer Research UK said in a statement.
Here are some key symptoms of lung cancer
Persistent cough A cough that normally doesn t go away within two to three weeks time or gets worse (intense). It is found that long-standing cough causes pain in the chest while coughing.
Coughing up blood Some lung cancer patients are found to cough up rust colored sputum (mucus or phlegm) that contains blood.
Loss of appetite It is one of the common symptoms observed in most of the cancers. People do not feel like eating (hungry) and hence tend to lose weight unintentionally
Difficulty in breathing Feeling shortness of breath, wheezing (breathing with a noise) or chest congestion are all signs of lung cancer.
With inputs from IANS
Photo source: Getty images
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