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Lung cancer, what to do?
- comforts2013
- Mar 20, 2021
- 4 min read
Today's blog post provides information on the factors that may contribute in causing lung cancer, the procedure of identifying the presence of the lung cancer and how to deal with it once diagnosed.
Risk Factors:
Family history of lung cancer
Personal or second-hand therapy
Previous radiation therapy
Hazardous substances at work
Diagnosis
An annual lung cancer screening using low-dose CT scans is generally offered to people aged 55 and older who smoke currently, have a heavy smoking history or left the habit a couple of years ago. If you are not part of this category and think that you may have lung cancer, your doctor will do tests based on your diagnosis.
First Step: Physical examination
The physical examination of the pulmonary system begins with the inspection of the upper body of the patient and his/her breathing pattern. It is followed by
palpation of the chest wall and the percussion of the thorax. It is completed with the auscultation of the lung fields, in which the doctor listens to the lungs and heart with a stethoscope. The doctor refers to the medical history and to the check-up of the patient in order to recommend lungs related tests.
Step 2: Diagnosis of Lung cancer
The following tests are done to look for cancerous cells that may indicate the presence of lung cancer.
Imaging tests: X-ray, MRI, CT and PET scans. These tests show smaller lesions and give detailed information.
Microscopic examination: Sputum cytology is a test conducted on the phlegm coughed by the patient in order to verify if cancerous cells are present. A sample is often collected early in the morning for several days.
Multiple types of biopsies can determine if tumor cells are cancerous.
Bronchoscopy: While under sedation, a lighted tube is passed down your throat and into your lungs, allowing closer examination.
Mediastinoscopy: The doctor makes an incision at the base of the neck. A lighted instrument is inserted and surgical tools are used to take samples from lymph nodes. It’s usually performed in a hospital under general anesthesia.
Needle: Using imaging tests as a guide, a needle is inserted through the chest wall and into the suspicious lung tissue. Needle biopsy can also be used to test lymph nodes.
Step 3: Determine the extent of the cancer
Once your lung cancer has been diagnosed, your doctor will work to determine if the cancer has spread beyond your lungs. These staging tests are:
Imagining tests:
Bone scan: The radioactive chemical injection highlights in the image the abnormal areas in the bone.
Note that not every test is appropriate for every person, so talk with your doctor about which procedures are right for you.
Stages of Lung cancer
The stages of lung cancer are indicated by Roman numerals that range from 0 to IV. The lowest stages indicate cancer that is limited to the lung. By stage IV, the cancer is considered advanced and has spread to other areas of the body.
Non-small cell lung cancer has four main stages:
Stage 1: Cancer is found in the lung, but it has not spread outside the lung.
Stage 2: Cancer is found in the lung and nearby lymph nodes.
Stage 3: Cancer is in the lung and lymph nodes in the middle of the chest.
Stage 3A: Cancer is found in lymph nodes, but only on the same side of the chest where cancer first started growing.
Stage 3B: Cancer has spread to lymph nodes on the opposite side of the chest or to lymph nodes above the collarbone.
Stage 4: Cancer has spread to both lungs, into the area around the lungs, or to distant organs.
Small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) has two main stages:
Limited stage: cancer is found in only one lung or nearby lymph nodes on the same side of the chest.
Extensive stage: Cancer has spread:
throughout one lung
to the opposite lung
to lymph nodes on the opposite side
to fluid around the lung
to bone marrow
to distant organs
DID YOU KNOW?...
At the time of diagnosis, 2 out of 3 people with SCLC are already in the extensive stage.
Treatments
A doctor treats lung cancer based on the type of lung cancer and the stage it has reached. Your doctor can explain the risks and benefits of each treatment as well as their side effects.
Getting a second opinion from another doctor can help you decide a treatment suitable to your preference and health.
1- Medical procedures
Patients with non-small cell lung cancer can be treated with surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, or a combination of these treatments. Endobronchial therapy can be used if surgery and radiation therapy cannot be performed.
Patients with small cell lung cancer are usually treated with radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
2- Other health practices
Complementary medicine is used in addition to standard treatments.
Examples: acupuncture, dietary supplements, massage therapy, hypnosis, and meditation.
Alternative medicine is used instead of standard treatments.
Examples: special diets, megadose vitamins, herbal preparations, special teas, cannabis oil and magnet therapy.
Many kinds of complementary and alternative medicine have not been tested scientifically and may not be safe. It is important to discuss the risks and benefits before you start any kind of complementary or alternative medicine.
3- Clinical Trials for people with non-small cell lung cancer
A person can choose not to get any treatment if they reached the last stages, if they have unbearable side effects, or due to any personal reason.
Note that being surrounded by family and friends as well as having a positive mindset contributes in improving the health of a person diagnosed with any cancer. It is a mind game that does wonders.
I hope everyone understood how important it is to be precautious about your health, learned about the procedure of identifying lung cancer, and is now familiar with the treatments offered to people diagnosed with cancer.
Until next time, have a great week, and thank you for reading!
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