This type of growth is termed "lepidic" and is characteristic of adenocarcinoma of the lung in its earliest stages. Diagnosis
A diagnosis of lung cancer may be suspected on the basis of typical symptoms, particularly in a person with smoking history. Symptoms such as coughing up blood and unintentional weight loss may prompt further investigation, such as medical imaging. Classification
The majority of lung cancers can be characterized as either small cell lung cancer (SCLC) or non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Lung adenocarcinoma is one of the three major subtypes of NSCLC, which also include squamous carcinoma and large cell carcinoma.Historically, there has been much debate in the most accurate method of describing adenocarcinoma of the lung and several revisions of classification systems have been published. Most recently, the International Multidisciplinary Classification of Lung Adenocarcinoma was published in 2011 and represents the consensus of several organizations to more accurately describe this specific type of lung cancer. The current classification system aims to more reliably predict prognosis and determination of therapeutic management.The tumor size, pattern of cell growth, and depth of cell invasion into normal lung tissue are considered in determining classification. The following names represent a step-wise pathologic progression in the natural course of adenocarcinoma development; Adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS), Minimally invasive adenocarcinoma (MIA), and Invasive adenocarcinoma. Invasive adenocarcinoma of the lung includes a heterogenous mixture of subtypes and variants. The 2011 consensus describes five subtypes of invasive adenocarcinomas based on the cell pattern that is most predominant.
Peripheral α2 agonist activity results in vasoconstriction of blood vessels (as opposed to central α2 agonist activity that decreases sympathetic tone, as can be seen by the medication clonidine). This vasoconstriction may explain the acute reduction in aqueous humor flow. The increased uveoscleral outflow from prolonged use may be explained by increased prostaglandin release due to α adrenergic stimulation. This may lead to relaxed ciliary muscle and increased uveoscleral outflow. Society and culture
Names
It is sold under the brand names Alphagan, Alphagan-P, Mirvaso, Lumify, Brymont, and others. Over the counter
In July 2018, Bausch and Lomb began to market over the counter (OTC) eye drops, using brimonidines tartrate formulation in a concentration of 0.025%, as an ophthalmic vasoconstrictor under the brand name Lumify. Intended to relieve redness in the sclerae of the eyes for periods of up to eight hours at a time through its vasoconstrictive effects, Lumify was marketed as an alternative to Visine, the brand of tetrahydrozoline hydrochloride solution most commonly used for that purpose. References
Further reading
Oh DJ, Chen JL, Vajaranant TS, Dikopf MS (January 2019). "Brimonidine tartrate for the treatment of glaucoma". Expert Opin Pharmacother. 20 (1): 115–122. doi:10.1080/14656566.2018.1544241. PMID 30407890. S2CID 53240954. External links
"Brimonidine". Drug Information Portal. U.S. National Library of Medicine. "Brimonidine tartrate". Drug Information Portal. U.S. National Library of Medicine.