Scientists have warned lung cancer patients that nicotine could cause the disease to spread to the brain.
Smokers are far more likely to develop lung cancer than non-smokers.
Around 40 per cent of lung cancer patients also develop brain metastasis, e-cigarette history but a new study has found this number is dramatically higher among smokers.
It is believed nicotine — which is found in cigarettes but is not in itself carcinogenic — is not only highly addictive but could be responsible for spreading the cancer.
A a result, scientists urge lung cancer patients who are habitual smokers to not only quit smoking, but instead go cold turkey and ditch nicotine altogether.
Once cancer spreads to the brain, the average life expectancy for patients is less than six months.
It is believed nicotine is not only highly addictive but could be responsible for spreading the cancer.
A a result, scientists urge lung cancer patients who are habitual smokers to not only quit smoking, but instead go cold turkey and ditch nicotine patches (stock)
Analysis of 281 lung cancer patients in the US revealed a significantly higher incidence of brain cancer among cigarette smokers.
Researchers wondered what caused this relationship, so they analysed tumours from deceased patients and found large amounts of immune cells called M2 microglia.
These create and release chemicals which are capable of enhancing tumour growth.
In lab experiments on mice, the team from Wake Forest University then discovered that the nicotine encourages the formation of these microglia.
Removing the offending microglia from the brains of living mice prevented nicotine from inducing brain metastasis and enhanced the survival of mice with lung cancer.
US-based researchers found that nicotine promotes brain metastasis by stimulating the formation of immune cells called M2 microglia.
Pictured, large numbers of M2 microglia (brown) in a metastatic brain tumour from a lung cancer patient who continued to smoke
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