Is it possible for chronic bronchitis to turn into lung cancer?
Jun 18, 2010 in
Mesothelioma FAQs
What are the chances of getting lung cancer before the age of 20?
Can you get it after smoking 2, 4 or 6 years?
And back to my original question, can chronic bronchitis turn into lung cancer?
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7 comments
Colleen O on June 18, 2010 at 9:48 am
No chronic bronchitis does not lead to lung cancer however it does lead to pneumonia and once one has had pneumonia they tend to be suceptible to getting it again and again. You can get lung cancer at any age and it doesn’t always come with smoking, although smoking is a major cause of lung cancer. I’ve known people who smoked for most of their lives and die of natural causes without ever having lung cancer, I’ve also known people who never smoked who have succumbed to lung cancer.
Contrary to myth chronic bronchitis does not only happen in the elderly, it can and does happen in younger people as well who probably had their first bout of it as small children. Those with asthma are also prone to chronic bronchitis.
Once one learns the early signs of bronchitis they can do things that will help prevent it from progressing and causing one to miss school or work because of the illness, flu shots help as does being physically fit to begin with, getting enough rest etc.
timster1984 on June 18, 2010 at 9:48 am
Well, first of all, chronic bronchitis is a condition usually found in the elderly so I’d be very surprised if you have that if you’re not even 20. Second, I don’t think it does turn into lung cancer since it’s a standalone chronic condition by itself. However, it may weaken your body so that it will be easier to get lung cancer.
If you’re a smoker, it will take many years before you end up getting lung cancer. I’ve never heard of anyone who smokes getting lung cancer before their 50s or later. It is guaranteed to happen though, yes.
aronm.morrow on June 18, 2010 at 9:48 am
Um, I’m not sure but I don’t think bronchitis can turn to cancer.
Pangolin on June 18, 2010 at 9:48 am
Chronic bronchitis will not turn into lung cancer, but people who have chronic bronchitis from smoking can also get cancer from smoking.
It takes longer than a few years for most people to develop their cancers, but I’ve taken care of patients in their 40′s with lung cancer.
That may seem old to you now, but it won’t when you’re 40!
Yesterday, I gave anesthesia to 3 patients with lung cancer. One had a wedge of lung taken out, one had a biopsy but was closed up because the tumor was unresectable, and the third had about a gallon and a half of bloody fluid taken off from around his left lung – likely malignant.
Don’t smoke. The end is ugly.
Charlie on June 18, 2010 at 9:48 am
Chronic bronchitis cannot "turn into" cancer. They are two separate conditions. However, smokers are at high risk for both. yes, it is possible to get lung cancer at a very young age. Sometimes, this is the type of lung cancer that is not caused by smoking. I you have concerns, you need to get checked by a doctor immediately.
gmug9 on June 18, 2010 at 9:48 am
Bronchitis can’t "turn into" lung cancer, at any age. The chances of getting lung cancer from smoking for 2,4 or 6 years are almost 0. But the chances of getting in 20 or 30 years down the road are very high. And once you get it, the chances of dying from it are also very high.
dan on June 18, 2010 at 9:48 am
No chronic bronchitis cannot cause lung cancer but because most chronic bronchitis sufferers are smokers, they tend to be the ones that get lung cancer as well.
The chance of getting lung cancer before 20 is virtually zero.
It’s unsual to get chronic bronchitis after smoking for only 2-6 years, most sufferers are in their 60′s.