Lung cancer is a disease characterized by uncontrolled cell growth in tissues of the lung. If left untreated, this growth can spread beyond the lung in a process called metastasis into nearby tissue and, eventually, into other parts of the body. Most cancers that start in lung, known as primary lung cancers, are carcinomas that derive from epithelial cells.
Symptoms of Lung Cancer
- Coughing up blood.
- Chest pain.
- Shortness of breath.
- Difficulty in swallowing.
- Swelling of the neck, face and upper extremities.
- Fatigue.
- FaLoss of appetite.
- Loss of weight.
There are Two Major Types of Lung Cancer
Non-Small Cell Cancers
Non-small cell cancers include squamous cell carcinoma (tumor), adenocarcinoma and large cell carcinoma. Bronchioloalveolar cell is a subtype of adenocarcinoma and typically treated in a similar way. Adenocarcinoma, the most common type of lung cancer, is usually located on the outer surface of the lungs (periphery) and can spread to lymph glands, the bloodstream and other organs. Squamous cell carcinoma may be found in the lining of the large bronchi (air passages) or in the periphery of the lung. Large cell carcinoma usually occurs in the periphery.
Small Cell Cancers
Small cell lung cancer usually develops in the central areas of the lung. It can spread aggressively and occurs almost exclusively in current or former smokers. This cell type has the strongest association with smoking. Read about small cell cancer treatment.
Treatment for Lung Cancer at Super Speciality Hospitals in India
Treatment of Lung cancer is depends on the type and stage of cancer. Lung cancer can be treated with surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or a combination of these treatments. The decision about which treatments will be appropriate for a given individual must take into account the location and extent of the tumor as well as the overall health status of the patient.
Surgery for Lung Cancer: If your cancer has not spread beyond the lungs, your general health is reasonably good and your breathing capacity is sufficient, the treatment that gives the best chance of cure is surgery. The most common operation is called a lobectomy, removes the affected part of the lung. Sometimes, the whole lung needs to be removed and this is called a pneumonectomy.
In patients with reduced lung function, smaller parts of the lung are removed to try to preserve breathing capacity. While these operations preserve breathing capacity, there is more likely to be a recurrence. Your doctor will advise you of the best operation for you.
Chemotherapy: This is the treatment of cancer with anti-cancer drugs. The aim is to destroy cancer cells while doing the least possible damage to normal cells. The drugs work by stopping cancer cells from multiplying.Chemotherapy is the treatment of choice for patients with small cell carcinoma. As this type of cancer spreads quickly, chemotherapy works well in treating it.
Radiotherapy : Radiotherapy treats cancer by using radiation to destroy or inhibit cancer cells. The radiation can be targeted onto cancer sites in your body. Treatment is carefully planned to do as little harm as possible to your normal body tissue.Treatment is painless and may take only two to three minutes. Usually, radiotherapy is given as a number of treatments over a period of weeks.
Minimally Invasive Surgery for Lung Cancer at Super Speciality Hospitals in India
Minimally invasive surgical techniques have been developed to diagnose and treat lung cancer. These procedures are performed with the use of a video camera that is inserted through a small 3 inch incision of the chest. This enables the surgeon to clearly see the tissue being operated on without having to make a large incision in the chest and spreading the ribs . The minimally invasive technique can provide a more accurate surgery with less recovery time, less risk of infection, less bleeding and less discomfort than the traditional procedure.
Benefits of Minimally Invasive Procedures
Not only do these procedures usually provide equivalent outcomes to traditional "open" surgery (which sometimes require a large incision), but minimally invasive procedures (using small incisions) may offer significant benefits as well:
Quicker Recovery :Since a minimally invasive procedure requires smaller incisions than conventional surgery (usually about the diameter of a dime), your body may heal much faster.
Shorter Hospital Stays :Minimally invasive procedures help get you out of the hospital and back to your life sooner than conventional surgery.
Less scarring :Most incisions are so small that it's hard to even notice them after the incisions have healed.
Less pain :Because these procedures are less invasive than conventional surgery, there is typically less pain involved.
Post Query
Refer a Patient
Request a Call Back
