Alk Lung Cancer Overview
ALK Lung Cancer at a Glance
Standing for anaplastic lymphoma kinase, ALK is a mutation in the DNA of lung cells which occurs when two genes are fused or stuck together. When this mutation starts, your lung cells produce excessive copies of themselves. They are cancerous and could spread to other parts of the body. But most ALK-positive cancers are in fact in non-small cell lung cancer, which accounts for about 80 to 85% of lung cancers and is also a major cause of cancer-related fatality in men and women alike.
ALK Lung Cancer Cause
It's no surprise that lung cancers are associated with smoking. Several people who contract lung cancer smoke or have been near people who do smoke. But other things which help make lung cancer more likely include the following:
- Radon
- Air pollution
- Asbestos
- Arsenic
- Family history of lung cancer
- Radiation therapies to your breast or chest
- Metal and mineral dust
- HIV/AIDS
ALK Lung Cancer Symptoms & Signs
You might not have any. NSCLC may be discovered in an X-ray or other examination for something else. Here are some of the most common symptoms you may have:
- Trouble swallowing
- Feeling tired or weak
- Poor appetite or weight loss
- Hoarseness or other voice changes
- Wheezing
- Coughing up mucus or blood
- Difficulty breathing
- A persistent cough or grows worse
- Chest pain
In case the cancer does spread to other parts of the body, you may experience:
- Dizziness or even balance issues
- Loss of bowel or bladder control
- Headache
- Blurred vision
- Bone or back Pain
- Yellow eyes or skin
