Diseases Cancer

What Is the Treatment For Lung Cancer?

Published at 02/15/2012 16:36:08

Introduction

Nowadays, many people are experiencing the cancer of the lung due to faulty habits, and fortunately, there are many options for medical therapies for the treatment of lung cancer. These medical therapies are in used in an attempt to cure the malignancies in the tissues. Lung cancer is a disease wherein the body’s basic unit, which is the cell, has an abnormality. The abnormality creates an imbalance which in turn causes cell proliferation and a then a mass is formed.

History

Nowadays, many people are experiencing the cancer of the lung due to faulty habits, and fortunately, there are many options for medical therapies for the treatment of lung cancer. These medical therapies are in used in an attempt to cure the malignancies in the tissues. Lung cancer is a disease wherein the body’s basic unit, which is the cell, has an abnormality. The abnormality creates an imbalance which in turn causes cell proliferation and a then a mass is formed.

Features

Surgical Resection

The surgery of choice for the treatment of lung cancer is called thoracotomy. This is done to remove the whole tumor and a little amount of normal tissue to assure that the cancer is eradicated. This is advisable for stage I and II of non small cell lung cancer. Prior to surgery, lung function tests must be performed since lung capacity is a crucial issue. Surgeons can use different approaches as to removing the tumor. They can use wedge resection, pneumonectomy or lobectomy depending on the size, location and risk of removing the tumor.

Radiation and Chemotherapy

Radiation therapy is also a good option for treatment of lung cancer which utilizes high dose x-rays. These high dose x-rays help in minimizing the size of the masses or to destroy the abnormal cells. It is used in conjunct with surgery. It is often used after surgical resection, to eradicate the residual abnormal cells. Just like radiation therapy, chemotherapy is also used in conjunct with surgery, although it can be used alone. It is one of the chief treatment of lung cancer and it works to kill cancer cells through chemotherapy drugs.

Tips and Comments

Needs and desires of patients are individualized as to choosing a treatment option that is why treatment of lung cancer is often particular to patients. Each treatment may work for a particular case. Patients must be guided by the health care team to make them fully understand their medical therapy options for them to determine which best they can tolerate and which best can increase their probability for cure. Don’t hesitate to ask full details of tumors and the options to better understand. Some people may wish to experience less pain and there are newer treatment options are now available like immunotherapy and photodynamic therapy. But budget, tolerance must be taken into consideration. Cancer is curable if detected early. “Prevention is better than cure” is never a cliché. It is still the best option to modify lifestyle right now than to undergo treatment of lung cancer.

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