Lung cancer treatment

Lung cancer treatment 

 Lung cancer treatment, as many factors including the type of lung cancer (non-small cell lung cancer or small cell lung cancer), disease stage and patient's systemic health. Many different combinations of treatment and therapy is used to treat lung cancer. 

 Surgery: The surgery to remove cancer cells. Surgeons as part of lung cancer to determine the type of surgery. Include: 

 Festival-shaped excision, or wedge-shaped excision (Segmental resection or wedge resection): only remove a small portion of the lung. 

 Lobectomy (Lobectomy): removal of an entire lobe. 

 Pneumonectomy (Pneumoectomy): removal of the side of the lungs. 

 Some tumor because of its size or location can not be cut (not line of surgical resection) is. Some patients are due to other medical illnesses and surgery should not. 

 Chemical treatment: anti-cancer drugs are used to kill cancer cells throughout the body on. Even from lung cancer resection, but in other tissues or body near the place or there are cancer cells. Chemotherapy can be used to control the growth of cancer cells or alleviate the symptoms. Most of the anti-cancer drugs by intravenous injection, and some through oral; In addition, the implant is a small vein catheters for long-term use of intravenous chemotherapy. 

 Radiation treatment: radiation therapy or radiotherapy is usually said, is to use high-energy radiation to kill cancer cells. Radiation therapy for treatment of only partial, and therefore affects only this part of the cancer cells. Radiotherapy can be used to shrink the tumor before surgery or after surgery to undermine the treatment zone after treatment of residual cancer cells. Doctors sometimes also combined radiotherapy and chemotherapy as the main treatment modalities to replace surgery. Radiotherapy is also used to relieve the same symptoms such as shortness of breath. 

 The radiation used to treat lung cancer, mostly from the machinery and equipment (external beam radiation); sometimes also be able to implant in a (small container of radioactive substances) direct implantation of tumor or near line therapy (radiotherapy in vivo). 

 Mechanical treatment of light: one is the use of chemicals, injected into the blood and absorbed by cells, these chemicals will rapidly leave the normal cells, but remain in the cancer cells within the longer period of time. Then laser target in cancer, the activation of cancer cells by the absorption of chemicals and kill the cancerous cells. Light mechanical treatment, mainly for use in localized lung cancer. Sometimes also used in some of the more extensive violations of cases caused by other organs due to tumor compression of symptoms when the control is too weak or sick are not suitable to receive other treatment. 

 For clinical trials are evaluating new methods of cancer treatment, many patients with lung cancer will take part in clinical trials were recommended. Some test all the patients have to accept the new treatment, some doctors will test for comparing treatment effects, while allowing patients to accept the new treatment group, a group of traditional (standard) treatment. Through research, doctors learn new, more effective ways to treat cancer. 

 Non-small cell lung cancer treatment 

 Non-small cell lung cancer can have a lot of methods of treatment. Mainly depending on the treatment of choice may be, the extent of disease. This type of lung cancer surgery are the most important method. Cryosurgery is frozen to destroy cancer tissue treatment, can be used for the end of non-small cell lung cancer symptom control. Radiation therapy and chemotherapy can be used to slow the progress of disease and symptom control. 

 Small cell lung cancer treatment 

 Rapid proliferation of small cell lung cancer, in many cases when the disease was diagnosed when the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. For the treatment of cancer cells throughout the body, most physicians are using a chemical treatment. Radiotherapy is used to treat the lungs or to transfer to other parts of the tumor (for example: brain). Some patients in the tumor has not yet appeared in the brain when the brain to do radiation therapy, this treatment is called preventive cranial radiation therapy (prophylactic cranial irradiation, PCI.). Surgery only for a small number of small-cell lung cancer patient's treatment plan. 

 Cancer treatment side effects 

 Cancer treatment side effects of treatment method in accordance with different and varies from person to person, doctors and nurses will explain possible side effects of treatment, and recommended several ways to remove these treatment side effects. 

 Lung cancer surgery is a big surgery, lung surgery, air and fluid accumulation in the chest cavity prone. Patients usually need help to stand up, coughing and deep breathing. For the resumption of these activities are very important, because it can help the expansion of the remaining lung tissue and to remove excess air and liquid. Chest pain or arm weakness and shortness of breath are common side effects of lung surgery. Patients may take several weeks or months before they can return to the physical situation. 

 Chemical treatment of normal cells and cancer cells, like the majority of side effects according to different drugs and doses may be given, the more common side effects of chemotherapy include nausea, vomiting, hair loss, mouth pain and fatigue. 

 Radiation therapy and chemotherapy is similar to normal cells and cancer cells, the main side effects of radiotherapy are treated in accordance with the physical location and therapeutic dose may be. Common side effects of radiotherapy are dry throat pain, dysphagia, fatigue, exposure to skin changes and loss of appetite. Radiotherapy in patients with head and may have headaches, skin changes, fatigue, nausea and vomiting, hair, or have memory and thought processes of the problem, most of the side effects will gradually disappear. 

 At present, the cumulative clinical experience through the study, doctors have been able to control a lot of treatment to alleviate or avoid side effects.

The importance of tracking 

 Tracking of lung cancer after treatment is very important, and regular inspection to make changes in health status was indeed found, and if the cancer recurrence or new cancer cells produce, it can in the fastest time by treatment. The inspections include a physical examination, chest X-ray or laboratory examinations, in the regular follow-up between the patient, lung cancer patients who have health problems if as soon as possible to their physicians know. 

 Provide psychological support 

 With serious illnesses to live together, such as cancer, are a challenge. Except to face the physical and medical challenges facing patients with cancer needs to be much trouble, feeling and concerns of life becomes more difficult. They found that they need help, to face not only the disease itself are also included emotional problem. In fact, paying attention to the patient emotionally and mentally heavy burden of the treatment programs are a part of. These health care groups (such as doctors, nurses and social workers), support groups and patients support groups can help them feel less of a sense of isolation and sadness, anxiety, and improve their quality of life. Cancer support groups provide a safe environment where cancer patients can talk about related to cancer and between them may be similar experiences. Patient may want to and their health care panel discussion about how to take part in support groups of questions. Court-related information may contact the Department of Community Health. 

 Asked about the doctor's questions 

 The majority of cancer patients want to know their own disease and disease-related treatment, so that they will actively participate to decide their own treatment plan. Often they will set out some questions asked about the physician. They are sick will be recorded, if the doctor permits, some patients will be recording the discussion with the Doctor down. Some patients will be invited to family or friends to participate in the discussion, notes, or just help to listen to. 

 The following questions are likely to have sick doctor's question: 

 Diagnosis 

 What tests can diagnose lung cancer? Are you suffering? 

 How long can know the test results? 

 I belong to that are a type of lung cancer? 

 Treatment 

 Recommended the use of what my treatment? 

 For me what kind of cancer clinical trials are appropriate? 

 I need to be hospitalized to receive treatment? How long will it take? 

 In the treatment of my normal activities during the ability to change the number? 

 Side effects 

 What side effects may be me? How often will it disappear? 

 If I was worried about my side effects I should ask? 

 Tracking 

 After treatment, how long I need to go back? I need to track what kind of treatment and care for? 

 Finally, I will be able to resume normal activities? 

 Health Care Group 

 Treatment and rehabilitation of my master, including the Who? They play in the care of what kind of role? 

 In care for patients with lung cancer you have, what kind of experience? 

 Resources 

 Whether in that area have support groups exchangeable experience? 

 What organizations can I get more information about cancer, especially lung cancer?