The lungs are located above the diaphragm and under the rib cage making up one of the largest organs in the body. Breathing is the vital process affected by a malignant growth in the lungs or lung cancer. Lung cancer is the second most diagnosed cancer wherein most cases are associated with smoking.
Small cell lung cancers (SCLC) and non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC) are the two types of lung cancer. Non-small cell lung cancers (adenocarcinomas, squamous cell carcinomas, and large cell carcinomas) are more common than small cell lung cancers. Small cell lung cancers spread more rapidly than non-small cell lung cancers and are generally more dangerous.
Lung cancer treatment depends on the type and stage of the tumor, how far it has spread, and the patient’s performance status.
Lung cancer chemotherapy is the primary treatment given to small cell lung carcinoma. It is usually administered alongside radiation. Primary lung cancer chemotherapy is also given in metastatic non-small cell carcinoma.
Lung cancer chemotherapy refers to the use of anticancer drugs to treat cancer. These chemical drugs are designed to interfere rapid proliferation of cancer cells in the body. The development of medical research has led to the improvement of lung cancer chemotherapy administration. More innovative methods are available allowing a reduction in the side effects of lung cancer treatment. Breakthroughs in chemotherapy include fractionated-dose chemotherapy where chemotherapy can be administered in smaller and more tolerable doses than in large, one-time doses.
Doctors may suggest administration of chemotherapy before or after surgery. Administration can be done through intravenous methods (through veins) or oral methods (in the form of pills or tablets).
Lung cancer chemotherapy may be used in three main ways: as neoadjuvant, as adjuvant, or as systematic therapy. Neoadjuvant or primary systematic chemotherapy is administered before surgery to kill cancer cells. This way, oncologists also determine the effectiveness of a particular lung cancer treatment on the tumor before performing it. Adjuvant chemotherapy is administered after surgery or radiation. The purpose is to kill the cancer cells that might have escaped the initial cancer treatment and prevent cancer from spreading to other parts of the body. Systematic chemotherapy is administered to patients with locally advanced or metastatic lung cancer.
Lung cancer chemotherapy combinations are given in succession for a period of time ranging from several weeks to months with breaks in between to allow for recovery. Chemotherapy does not only kill the cancer cells but also the healthy cells which cause acute side effects. Extreme nausea, vomiting, faintness, exhaustion, hair loss, indigestion, are some side effects. The harshness of chemotherapy’s side effects depend on how an individual’s body responds to the drugs.
Conventional or complementary lung cancer treatment options may minimize the side effects caused by chemotherapy. Supportive and complementary therapies may help improve a patient’s quality of life. Some alternative therapies are nutrition therapies, naturopathic medicine, acupuncture, spiritual support, and mind-body medicine. These therapies may be of great help before, during, and after chemotherapy administration.
Doctors may monitor the effects of lung cancer chemotherapy in a variety of ways including physical exams, blood tests, CT scans, MRI scans, and x-ray exams.
Tags: Lung Cancer, lung cancer chemotherapy, what is lung cancer