Basic Treatment of Lung Cancer

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Treatment of lung cancer depends on several important factors. The main factors are the histopathologic (diseased tissue) type of lung cancer and stage of cancer.

When the stage of lung cancer is determined, the oncology team and patient work together to develop a treatment plan. It is important for lung cancer patients to discuss the value of different forms of treatment with their doctor. Other factors that affect lung cancer treatment is the patient's general health, medical conditions which may affect (eg, chemotherapy) and tumor characteristics.

The characteristics of lung tumor can be used to break up patients into two groups: patients with low risk of cancer recurrence and patients with high risk of cancer recurrence. Disease-specific prognostic prognostic factors used for patients in one of these groups. In particular, the histopathologic groupings of small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) can be used to better predict the patient's prognosis and expected response to treatment.

Treatment of lung cancer

Surgical resection (cut) in the tumor generally is indicated for cancer that has spread outside the lung. Surgery for lung cancer can be performed using different techniques. Thoracotomy, running thought the chest wall, and the median sternotomy, performed by cutting through the sternum, are common methods used for lung cancer surgery.

Alternative approaches include anterior limited thoractomy (ALT), which runs on the front of the chest with a small cut, anterioraxillary thoracotomy (AAT), which runs on the front near the chest and forearm posterolateral thoracotomy (PLT), which is performed on the back / side of the trunk .

characteristics of lung tumor

ALT, in particular, is less invasive than standard thoractomy-that this procedure involves less disruption in the body than large incisions or other intrusive measures. ALT may result in less blood loss during and after surgery, less postoperative drainage, and less postoperative pain than standard thoracotomy.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) that is often used to treat lung cancer it seem unusable. Photodynamic therapy with injection of a light-activated drug (eg photofrin / polyhaematoporphyrin, Lumina). Then, during bronchoscopy (examination of the airways using a flexible scope), the lung tumor is illuminated by a laser fiber that transmits light of a certain wavelength. At the time, laser light is used to destroy the sensitized tumor tissue. Photo Skin sensitization (light sensitivity) is a side effect of PDT.

Radiation also can cause the following:
• Anorexia (loss of appetite)
• Changes in taste perception
• Damage to the fetus (in women who are pregnant)
• Increased heart rate (tachycardia)
• Increased risk for infection
• Malaise
• Nausea
• Vomiting