Lung cancer can be a highly debilitating disease that is known to spread to other parts of the body if untreated. Thanks to scientific research, there are numerous ways to detect early signs of lung cancer so that patients have a higher chance of survival.
Because cancer is a highly complex condition that affects cell reproduction in the body, there are different approaches to treatments. These are the ways in which lung cancer it treated. Check out the latest lung cancer clinical trials for more detail.
Surgery
Firstly, surgery is done to remove cancerous tissue from the body. This can be done in cases of non-small cell lung cancer, although it depends on the position and stage of the cancerous cells. Because of this surgery is not always the most appropriate option for treating lung cancer.
However, it can be successful in many cases. For a more accurate image, some surgeons use keyhole surgery with tiny cameras. This can help them get a better look into the growth of cells, and any lymph nodes that the cancer is likely to spread onto.
Following surgery to remove cancerous cells or tumors, it is essential that the patient receives another form of therapy. This is to prevent the growth of more cancer cells and to make sure that nothing harmful has been left behind.
Chemotherapy
Another common form of treatment that is usually paired with other approaches for lung cancer is chemotherapy. It is a highly powerful substance that is known for shrinking the size of tumors, preventing cancer cell growth, and to prevent cancer from returning following surgery.
Because chemotherapy is so intense, it is usually administered in stages. This allows the body to recover before continuing with the treatment. Chemotherapy is administered in pills, or through an IV.
The number of cycles that a particular patient will need depends on advice from specialists. Chemotherapy is usually given in careful doses because it is known for having significant effects on the rest of the body.
By encouraging new white blood cells to form, the body can become severely tired after chemotherapy. Because of this, patients’ health and overall wellbeing need careful consideration before, during, and after a course of chemotherapy.
Radiation
Also known as radiotherapy, radiation is administered to lung cancer patients with both non-small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer. This is usually given in addition to other treatments to help ease some symptoms and to kill cancer cells.
If a patient is not deemed healthy enough to undergo surgery, then an intensive course of radiotherapy can be done. Being exposed to radiation can have a significant impact on the rest of the body. This means that certain cells in the body can become inhibited.
Because of the potential risks associated with radiation exposure, radiotherapy isn’t used to treat every case of lung cancer. Every patient is different in terms of their body’s tolerance and ability to repair itself correctly.
Targeted Therapy
Depending on the type of cancer a patient’s lung cancer is defined targeted therapy can be the most appropriate treatment method. This is because of the specific medicines administered to prevent cancer cell growth and the likelihood that these will actually work.
Similar to chemotherapy, targeted therapy is usually given in pills or through an IV, depending on the combination of drugs that is being used. The specific combination usually varies between each patient, but experts need to consider every potential risk factor for each patient when administering targeted therapy.
Cryotherapy
Another therapy that has been known to help patients with lung cancer is cryotherapy. This uses a similar approach to radiotherapy, but with very cold temperatures. A probe inserted into the throat can shock the system in this way and begin to shrink the tumor.
Because of this, cryotherapy is normally done in cases of lung cancer when it begins to block a patient’s airway. This means that it is given to a specific set of lung cancer patients, rather than every patient.
Summary
Because lung cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer found across populations, specialists have developed numerous forms of treatment in order to slow down cancer cell growth, shrink tumors, and stop cancer cells from forming in the body.
Being able to improve the body’s chances of repairing itself is the ultimate goal of most lung cancer treatments. Each form of treatment has varying levels of success, and specialists need to consider minor details about each patient in order to decide on the most appropriate approach.
