Abnormal growth of cells causing the growth of tumors in the lungs reducing a person’s ability to breathe is called lung cancer. This type of cancer is one of the most life-threatening forms of cancer as this type of cancer starts to spread very early after it forms and it is also difficult to treat. It has been classified into two types- Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCL) and Small-cell lung cancer (SCLC). Anyone can develop this disease but people who smoke or are exposed to smoke are at a higher risk of developing lung cancer. Loss of appetite, change in a person’s voice, frequent chest infection, shortness of breath are some symptoms of lung cancer.
1. Treatment options for lung cancer
Surgical removal of cancer, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, Targeted therapy, immunotherapy as well as a combination of therapies is involved in the treatment of lung cancer. The treatment option depends upon the patient’s health condition, location of the tumor and the extent of the tumor.
2. Surgery
Removal of the tumor, through surgery, is the treatment of lung cancer if the cancer has not spread beyond the lungs. If the tissues surrounding the lung area are also infected they too are removed during surgery. Sometimes a love or a large part of the lung has to be removed, this is known as lobectomy. Depending on the stage of cancer sometimes the entire lung has to be removed. One can live without a lung but the outcome of the surgery is better if the patient had good health prior to the surgery.
3. Chemotherapy
Medicines are used to shrink or eradicate the cancer cells by targeting the rapidly dividing cells that cause cancer. In some cases, chemotherapy is used in combination with radiation therapy depending on the stage in which cancer progresses. Most patients suffering from SCLC type often opt for chemotherapy as a treatment option for lung cancer as the cancer has generally spread in the body by the time it is diagnosed. It can be given in the form of pills or through intravenous injection or in a combination of both. It is a long procedure as it is given over weeks or months with intervals in between.
4. Radiation therapy
This therapy is usually used when the cancer has occurred in one place and has not spread. In this process high energy X-rays are used to kill the cancer cells. This procedure can be used for treatment of both NSCLC and SCLC type of lung cancer. This therapy can also be used before surgery to shrink the tumor. The treatment is given for a few days at a time over several weeks.
5. Targeted therapy
Medications which specifically targets a particular pattern in the cancer cells is known as targeted therapy. Medicines that stop the cancer cells from multiplying is an example of this therapy. Targeted therapy is usually used for treatment of lung cancer patients at an advanced stage.
6. Immunotherapy
This treatment option for lung cancer might be useful for patients suffering at an advanced stage as the medication prescribed helps in strengthening the immune system against the cancer cells.