WHAT YOU SHOULD
KNOW
The first warning of lung cancer is usually a spot on a
chest x-ray, revealing a tumor (lump) in the lung and is found
as a spot on a chest X-ray. Like all cancers, the disease is
the result of unrestrained multiplication of cells. Normal
cells divide in a planned way, creating more cells only when
needed. Cancerous cells grow and divide without control or
order, often making excess tissue that becomes a tumor. Cancer
cells may grow into nearby healthy tissue, or they may break
away from the tumor and travel through the blood stream or
lymphatic system to other parts of the body, such as the liver,
bone, or brain.
Causes
Scientists don't know why one person develops cancer
while another doesn't. However, the factors that increase the
odds of lung cancer are very well known:
-
Cigarette smoking is the most
common cause of lung cancer. The longer you have smoked and
the more cigarettes you smoke daily, the greater your risk.
Constant exposure to second-hand smoke also increases the
odds.
-
Certain industrial chemicals,
when present in the air of your workplace, are also known
culprits. Among them are asbestos, arsenic, chromium,
beryllium, and radioactive materials.
Signs/Symptoms
During the early stages of lung cancer there are usually
no symptoms. Later signs include:
-
Constant
coughing
-
Trouble
breathing
-
Wheezing
-
Frequent colds
-
Coughing up a lot of
sputum
-
Bloody sputum
-
Achy, non-localized chest
pain
-
Fatigue
-
Weakness
-
Weight loss
If the cancer has spread, you may also have other
problems.
Care
To find out what stage the cancer is in, your doctor will
measure the lump, check to see if the cancer has spread, and
perform tests such as bone and lung scans, and tissue or bone
biopsies. The results of the tests will help you and your
doctor decide on a treatment plan.
There are many different ways to treat cancer. Often
doctors use two or more types of treatment together. For
example, you may get medicine and radiation or medicine and
surgery. The major options for lung cancer
are:
-
Biologic Therapy: (also called biotherapy or
immunotherapy). This approach uses special IV medicine to
boost the body's ability to fight growing cancer cells. The
medication may also make cancer cells weaker and easier to
kill. The treatments may give you flu-like
symptoms.
-
Chemotherapy: Often called "chemo," this type of
therapy uses drugs to kill new tumor cells or shrink lymph
nodes that contain cancer cells. Once the tumor is smaller,
you may have surgery to remove the rest of the cancer. Some
forms of cancer can be completely cured with drugs
alone.
-
Many different chemo
medicines are available. They may be taken as a pill, as a
shot, or in an IV. You will probably need frequent blood
tests to determine how your body is doing and how much
chemo you need. The drugs can produce many side effects,
and may leave you susceptible to infection for a
while.
-
Radiation: X-rays or gamma rays can kill cancer and
help prevent it from spreading. They can also be effective
in reducing pain, controlling bleeding, and shrinking
cancerous tumors. Doctors also use this type of therapy on
cancerous lymph nodes. Radiation and chemotherapy are often
used together. Radiation is also used after surgery to kill
any cancer cells that may have been missed.
-
Surgery: Depending on the stage of your lung cancer,
you may need surgery to remove all or part of the lung. You
may also need to have some lymph nodes taken out to help
prevent the cancer from spreading to other parts of your
body.
-
Thoracentesis (thor-uh-sen-TEE-sis): If air or fluid
gets trapped between the chest wall and the outside of the
lung, you may find it difficult to breath. To relieve the
problem, the doctor can empty the area with a needle
inserted between two ribs. You'll be given a numbing shot
before the procedure.
Risks
Left untreated, cancer eventually will spread. Almost all
forms of cancer therapy have unpleasant side effects, and may
fail to halt the spread. However, treatment---especially when
performed early enough---usually improves your
chances.
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