Lung Epidermoid Carcinoma at 40x Magnification

Smoking is the number one cause of epidermoid carcinoma of the lung, and in fact, is directly linked to approximately 87 percent of all lung cancers. Cigarette smoke contains thousands of different chemicals, including many substances known to be carcinogens, and avoiding smoking is considered the best way to reduce one’s chances of developing lung cancer. Those cases that are not linked to smoking are usually associated with environmental exposure to the radioactive gas radon or secondhand tobacco smoke. Having one or more relatives with lung cancer and contact with other cancer-causing materials, such as asbestos, are also known risk factors.