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Smoking as a Secondary Risk Factor
Whether a patient has a cancer that is smoking-related or nonsmoking related,
he or she is at increased risk of developing a second cancer at the same or
another site, if smoking is not stopped. The risk of developing a second
cancer may persist for up to 20 years, even if the original cancer has been
successfully treated.
Patients with oral and pharyngeal cancers who smoke also have a high rate of second primary cancers. The risk decreases significantly, however, after 5
years of not smoking.
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Glossary Terms
cancer (KAN-ser)
A term for
diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control and
can invade nearby tissues. Cancer cells can also spread to
other parts of the body through the blood and lymph
systems. There are several main types of cancer. Carcinoma
is cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line
or cover internal organs. Sarcoma is cancer that begins in
bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, or other
connective or supportive tissue. Leukemia is cancer that
starts in blood-forming tissue such as the bone marrow, and
causes large numbers of abnormal blood cells to be produced
and enter the blood. Lymphoma and multiple myeloma are
cancers that begin in the cells of the immune system.
Central nervous system cancers are cancers that begin in
the tissues of the brain and spinal cord.
oral (OR-ul)
By or having to do with the mouth.
pharynx (FAIR-inks)
The hollow tube inside the neck that starts behind the nose and ends at the top of the trachea (windpipe) and esophagus (the tube that goes to the stomach). The pharynx is about 5 inches long, depending on body size. Also called throat.
second primary cancer
Refers to a new primary cancer in a person with a history of cancer.
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