Wednesday, 15 May 2013
Treatment for Lung Cancer
The depends on different factors, most important of these factors being the type of cancer (histopathologic) and the stage of the cancer
Once this is known the doctor and the patient then work together to determine a treatment plan that is suitable for the patient putting the following factors into consideration
The general health of the patient
The patient’s possible medical condition that can hamper the treatment (such as chemotherapy)
The characteristics of the tumor
With the characteristics of the lung tumor the doctor will be able to tell what group the patient belongs to, whether the patient is of high risk of cancer recurrence or low risk of it.
There are three main treatments for cancer, they are as follows:
Surgery
Surgery is the oldest treatment for cancer. When it is in its first and second stage and has not spread to other organs (metastasized) the patient could be cured by surgically removing the tumor and the nearby lymph nodes completely.
After cancer has spread, it is almost impossible to remove all the cancer cells
Lung cancer surgery is performed by a specially trained thoracic surgeon
There are two types of surgeries. The curative which is for early stage cancer that removes all the cancerous tissue and the pallative which only remove an obstruction so the airway is free just to make the patient comfortable and not necessarily removing the cancer
Surgical treatment could cause a problem to the surrounding parts which could lead to pain and infection.
Options are given by the doctor that could relief the pain and antibiotics are used to prevent infections from the wound of the surgery or elsewhere
Radiation
Radiation or radiotherapy tries to destroy or shrinks lung cancer tumors by concentrating high-energy rays on the cancer cells. This damages the molecules that makes up the cancer cells and force them to death.
Radiotherapy can either be used as main , added to surgery to kill remaining cells or kill cancer cells that have spread to other organ (metastasized)
The side effects of Radiation
As radiation is used to kill cancer cells especially in it early stage it could also kill normal healthy cells. Though with improved technology this has been curtailed and beams can now target cancer cells more accurately
Lung cancer treatment takes effect in weeks or months depending on the size of the tumor and the level of radiation and whether or not damages where done to non cancerous cells
Some common effects of radiation are: nausea, fatigue, loss of appetite, hair loss, dry, irritated and sensitive skin
Chemotherapy
NSCLC and SCLC could be treated with chemotherapy. Chemotherapy refers to the administration of drugs that stop cancer cells from growing either by killing them or preventing them from dividing
Chemotherapy could be administered alone in place of surgery, or combined with radiotherapy
Several drugs have been developed for the treatment of lung cancer but the class of drugs called platinum has been found to be the best in the treatment of lung cancers
Chemo is good treatment for SCLC because the tumors are already widespread in the body when diagnosed
Survival rate of SCLC patients is greatly increased by four to five times but without it only half of it patient can survive for four months.
Chemotherapy alone cannot treat NSCLC effective except that it can be used to prolong survival in many cases when it has metastasized
Chemotherapy could be in form of pills, intravenous infusion or a combination of both. Chemo drugs are given in series referred to as cycles – over a period of weeks or months with a break in between
Side effects of Chemotherapy
The drugs used also kill healthy tissue hence it side effect. When blood cells are damaged it could result in increased susceptibility to infections and difficulties with blood clotting
Other possible effects of chemo are: hair loss, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue and mouth sores
Side effects of chemotherapy vary depending on the drugs and dosage used and the individual taking it
There are medications now that can prevent or cure these side effects of chemo. Though all the side effect usually disappear during recovery of the treatment or upon completion of it
Other lung cancer treatments
Researchers have continued to search for ways to improve the and eliminate most of the side effects. So they have designed targeted therapies that will only treat cancer cells without affecting normal and healthy cells
There are also lung cancer vaccines that transform cancer cells so they are no more cancerous
These targeted therapies are also known as immuno therapies because it more like it gives the immune system more power so it can fight the disease.
I hope you find this article on the helpful. I wish you the best in your fight against the deadly disease called CancerPosted byKaro ItojeLabels:No comments:Post a Comment Older PostHomeSubscribe to:Post Comments (Atom)
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Sunday, 12 May 2013
Lung Cancer Research and Treatment Developments
Are You Staying Abreast of Lung Cancer Research News?
Are you searching for the latest lung cancer research findings? Most everyone in the 21st century has been touched, in one way or another, by cancer.
Whether you've had a close family loss or near loss, have been exposed to toxins that are known carcinogens, have had a diagnosis, or have prevalence in your family that puts you at increased risk, you'll want to stay abreast of research as the subject will be near and dear to your heart.
It's important for everyone to stay abreast of news in the research for a cure for cancer.
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Friday, 10 May 2013
Effects of Lung Cancer Treatment
Medical advancement combined with holistic healing can help you have a fighting chance at not only winning the battle but at getting through it much easier than someone who had been diagnosed even just a few years ago.
When people are told they need to have lung cancer treatment, such as radiation or chemotherapy, many are afraid of the side-effects, which could include: hair loss, appetite loss, nausea, vomiting, and trouble swallowing.
One of the most common and toughest side effects is the overwhelming fatigue. It can be tough to feel like you're truly fighting cancer when you are totally bereft of energy.
Cancer Fighting Strategies
CancerFightingStrategies.com is an excellent resource for obtaining information on strategies for increasing your chances of victory against cancer and one of the areas you'll find information on includes strategies for fighting the .
Learn strategies for coping with side effects of treatments though supplementation, essential oils, and energetics that contain powerful ingredients that will help your body facilitate positive change.
Get Educated
Get educated you so can work in conjunction with your physician. Know what to do to alleviate symptoms of the and the symptoms and effects of the disease itself. Then you can cope better, as well as increase your chances of winning the battle by creating an environment that helps your body fight back and get healthier. CancerFightingStrategies.com can help.
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Alternative Lung Cancer Treatment
Even if you're facing end stage cancer, it might not be too late. Just like the best chances for survival are early detection, the best chances for success with a treatment option is to give it as much time as possible to work -- if possible, before you're at end stages.
Cancer Treatment Options
Read on for some of the options you may want to consider at any stage:
Low oxygenation levels of cells can breed cancer. There are options that can help transport oxygen to your cells. pH levels in the acidic range create toxic environments. There are strategies to help you rapidly get to a more alkaline state. Cancer cells can not thrive in an alkaline state. Reduce toxic overload. If your body can't detoxify on its own it can lead to Cancer. Even when Cancer is already present, detoxification can aid the fight against those Cancer cells. Various parts of the body can be detoxified, such as the colon, and you can even strive for overall cellular detoxification. Candida is becoming increasingly blamed for cancer. Chronic fungal infections can contribute to the development of Cancer so it's important to work to reduce the growth of Candida Albicans in your body.
Yes, you should work closely with your physician in your fight against lung cancer, but you should also become as informed as possible so that you can talk to your doctor about alternative therapies that could help you even fight harder.
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Thursday, 9 May 2013
Metastatic Lung Cancer and Coping with Treatment
Metastatic Lung Cancer
Those who have been diagnosed with metastatic lung cancer have had cancer start somewhere else and then spread to the lungs.
Some believe that once they have metastatic cancer, the prognosis is never good but this, of course, depends on many factors. There are instances when cancer that has spread can still be cured or controlled.
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Wednesday, 8 May 2013
Poweful Lung Cancer Treatment Options and Alternatives
What Makes Up A Powerful Lung Cancer Treatment
If you have lung cancer and are searching for the best lung cancer treatment, know one thing for sure. You need to be doing more than the standard chemotherapy, radiation or surgery treatments. Something in addition to what your oncologist has you do.
For two reasons. First is that chemotherapy and radiation therapy are not always effective as a lung cancer treatment. There are also natural, safe nutritional supplements that can do a good job of killing cancer cells.
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