What is cancer?
Organs and tissues are composed of small building blocks called cells. Cancer is a disease of these cells. Although cells in different parts of the body may look and function differently, most renewable resources in the same way, namely by a partition. Generally, cell division occurs in an organized and controlled. If the process goes nuts for some reason, keep cells from dividing without. As a result, Created lump called tumor cells. Tumors may be benign or malignant.
Benign cells do not spread to other organs. However, if they continue to grow in the original, they can cause pressure on adjacent organs.
Malignant tumor composed of cells with the ability to spread. If untreated, the tumor, it can invade nearby tissues and destroy them. Sometimes break away from the original tumor cells (primary) and spread to other organs through the bloodstream or lymphatic system. When these cells reach a new area, they may continue to divide and create new blocks called a secondary tumor / secondary or metastasis.
Lungs
When you breathe in, it goes through your nose or mouth into the windpipe in the throat. The trachea divides into two bronchi in the chest, tubes, right and left, one for each lung. Bronchial branching Lsimfononim, smaller pipes, pump the air through the lungs. At all Simfonon are millions of tiny air sacs, Nadia. Alveolus oxygen absorbed and passes into the blood of the same for all parts of the body. At the same time, the blood moves in the opposite direction du alveolus oxygen - carbon, waste gas must be removed from the body, and when you blow, he finds out from the body.
What causes lung cancer?
• Cigarette smoking - known to cause the vast majority of lung cancer. The risk of developing the disease increases with the number of cigarettes smoked, and as you started smoking at a young age. Cigarettes with filters, which contain a low amount of tar, can slightly reduce the risk, but of course much higher risk than someone who does not smoke, even in this case. Adam loser smoke, significantly reduces the risk of lung cancer. The risk decreases as time passes from time to quit smoking.
• Secondhand smoke - the smoke from cigarettes and other smokers currently defined as increasing the risk of lung disease and cancer, although this risk is still far below the real smoking.
• pipe and cigar smoking - even though a pipe and cigar smokers at risk is smaller lung cancer than cigarette smokers, are still much higher risk than those who do not smoke at all.
• genetic background - some families might be smokers more likely to develop lung cancer due to genetic reasons.
• Radon gas - there are certain areas of land in natural gas deposits called radon. Radon is odorless and when he ejected from the ground, he drains into the foundations of buildings and basements. Now believed to prolonged exposure to radon increases the risk of lung cancer, especially in smokers. You can edit a test to detect the presence of radon, and take steps to reduce the risk involved.
Exposure to asbestos, uranium, chromium and nickel - exposure to these chemicals and others associated with lung cancer, especially when it comes to professional exposure. Air pollution is also mentioned as lung cancer. But so far it was not possible to prove it.
Lung cancer was and is more common in males, mainly over the age of 40. In recent decades, with increasing number of women who smoke, significantly increased the number of women that develop the disease.
Lung cancer, like many other cancers, is not contagious and can not be transferred to other people.
What are the symptoms (symptoms)?
Lung cancer symptoms can include any of the following:
• cough lasts cough or change an existing character.
• a chest infection not responding to medication.
Shortness of breath.
• cough and bloody sputum secretion.
• Failure - Chest discomfort - it can feel a dull ache or sharp pain when coughing or taking a deep breath.
• loss of appetite and weight loss.
What are the different types of lung cancer?
This article deals with primary lung cancer, a disease in which cancer first appears healthy. If you have lung cancer that has spread, but first appeared in the other body part, defined this cancer secondary lung cancer. The treatment of this disease depends on the initial tumor location, for example, the intestines or breast.
Primary lung cancer
There are two major types of primary lung cancer, behave and respond very differently:
• SClC - a type of small cells (small cell lung cancer);
• NSCIC - a type of non-small cell (non-small cell lung cancer), including three sub-types:
• squamous cell carcinoma (squamous cell carcinoma) most common type of lung cancer originating in cells lining the bronchial tubes.
• Adenocarcinoma (adenocarcinoma) developed mucus-producing glandular cells. These cells are also the mucous lining of the bronchi.
• Large cell carcinoma (large cell carcinoma) is named for the great round cells appear to examination under a microscope.
Mesothelioma (mesothelioma) is a less common type of cancer in the chest, which affects the respiratory system. It is a cancer of cells that the pleura, the membrane lining the lungs, and is often associated with past exposure to asbestos.
How is the diagnosis?
Usually, your GP will conduct a physical examination and will send you additional tests or X-rays as needed. If test results are invalid, or the superior of any suspicious finding, the family doctor will refer you for consultation with a specialist at a hospital and receive treatment as needed.
The specialist hospital might see about your medical history, conduct a physical examination and refer you probably edit chest X-ray, to detect any abnormal effects your lungs. You may be asked to bring with you to the hospital in sputum samples, in order to examine them under a microscope to detect tumor cells (cytology of the mucus).
What kinds of treatments are available?
Lung cancer treatment may be surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, alone or in combination. The doctor plans the treatment you take into account several factors, including general health status, tumor type and size, how it looks under a microscope, and is spread outside the lung.
At the hospital you might meet other people who have had lung cancer and are treated differently. The reason is usually a different expression of the disease, which dictates different needs for each patient, or a different approach from the doctor. Feel free to contact the medical staff with questions about your treatment. Preparation of a list of questions you want to refer to the doctor is helpful, as accompanying a friend or family member.
Some people want to hear another medical opinion before deciding on the treatment they receive. If you feel it might benefit you, you can contact the advice of another expert. This meeting also should another person accompany you. Another meeting that could delay the start of treatment. Therefore, you should be convinced it would help.
Analysis
Cases diagnosed type of lung cancer non-small cell, which has not spread, it may be possible to remove it surgically. The type of surgery chosen depends on tumor size and location:
• lobectomy (lobectomy) - removal of a lung lobe;
• pneumonectomy (pneumonectomy) - removal of entire lung;
• removal of a wedge (wedge resection) - Among patients their lungs are not functioning well, giving sometimes a very small part of the lung. This analysis is not done often.
People facing surgery pneumonectomy, often concerned that they could not breathe well after surgery. This is not true. More likely to breathe normally by means of one lung. Who suffered breathing difficulties before surgery actually may suffer from shortness of breath after as well. Breath tests that measure how well your lungs function will be to help you and your doctor decide whether surgery is appropriate treatment and the best for you. Before any surgery, make sure you discuss it thoroughly with your doctor, and you fully understand what is involved. Remember, not performed any analysis or proceeding without consent. Sometimes, surgery may be combined with radiotherapy or chemotherapy. See more about that later.
Most cases where lung cancer is diagnosed small cell type, no surgery. Even if you can not see it in the scan, the tumor was probably spread to other parts of the body before being diagnosed, and chemotherapy and / or radiation treatment will be more effective than surgery.
Radiotherapy
Radiation therapy for cancer uses high energy beams, which destroys the cancer cells while causing as little damage as possible to the healthy cells.
Radiation therapy can be radiation unit of the hospital. Duration of treatment you receive depends on the type and degree of the disease, usually lasts 5-6 weeks and includes sessions on weekdays, with a rest this weekend. Before starting treatment your doctor will tell you in more detail what is involved.
Of lung cancer in non-small cell, local radiation therapy would be the primary treatment, especially if impossible to remove it surgically. Of lung cancer, small cell, when the cancer has not spread beyond the breast, radiation therapy can be during or after chemotherapy, which can improve treatment outcomes.
Radiation therapy can be effective in relieving symptoms such as pain, but then radiation treatment can be repeated for two weeks, a higher daily dose. Lung cancer patients with small cell type, who responded well to chemotherapy, should receive radiotherapy to the head, to reduce the risk of cancer spreading to this region, in the future.
Radiation therapy is usually given by directing a beam ionizing radiation from external chest into the lung. Sometimes, when the tumor is blocking a bronchus causing lung collapse, internal radiation is used, called irradiation while - Symphony (endobronchial radiotherapy) or brachytherapy (brachytherapy). This is a simple way to open the bronchi. Sometimes combined with external radiation brachytherapy.
External radiation;
To ensure the best results of radiation treatment, it is important that the treatment will be planned carefully, and sometimes takes several meetings with the doctor, to get satisfactory results.
The first step is sure to lie motionless, exactly the same position, whenever possible treatment. First visits to the radiation unit, asked to lie on a bed under a simulator, which organizes the region's X-rays will be screened. Often used in CT scanner for the same purpose. Treatment planning is the most important part of radiation treatment, and may take several visits before radiation treatment specialist will be happy with the result.
Wiseman therapy radiographer marks on your skin so that he could place you accurately and to direct the radiation to the exact spot. These marks must remain on the skin throughout treatment, but you can wash them after treatment. You can also mark up the skin with tiny permanent (tattoo) instead of visible markings. Beginning of treatment you will be given instructions on how to treat the skin in the treated area.
Before each session, the radiographer will position you on the treatment bed, and make sure you are comfortable. During the treatment, which lasted only a few minutes, stay alone in the room, and radiographer treatment they look at you through a TV monitor from the next room. You can talk via intercom. Radiation treatment is not painful, but requires lying still for several minutes.
Internal radiation:
If you receive radiation treatment within - bronchial, inserted a thin tube (catheter) temporarily Lriatc via bronchoscope. Small radioactive radiation source connected to the tube, placed in the bronchi. This radiation source is removed, of course, after radiation treatment.
Side effects:
Radiation therapy may cause several side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and fatigue. In addition, radiation may cause flu-like symptoms for several days, or chest pain. These side effects may be mild or more severe intensity of treatment, and some may be long - term (fixed), although rarely. Your doctor can tell you what to expect.
Nausea;
Usually can be treated effectively with medication nausea. Your doctor will give you a prescription if necessary. In case of loss of appetite solid foods can be replaced nutritious beverages high in calories. These drinks can be purchased at most pharmacies. Most hospitals have her be able to consult a nutritionist.
Fatigue;
Because radiation therapy can cause great fatigue and recommended rest as possible, especially if the treatment involves making a long trip every day care center. Fatigue often occurs in the second half of treatment and may take several weeks after its conclusion. It is important to maintain throughout the day on a balance between rest task, because your body needs rest in order to recover from treatment.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is the use of drugs against cancer (cytotoxic) drugs to destroy malignant cells and stop their multiplication. Of lung cancer in non-small cell chemotherapy may reduce the extent of tumor in some patients. The goal of treatment is to relieve symptoms and prolong the quality of life.
Recently, and to improve treatment outcomes, given the chemotherapy treatment of lung cancer in non-small cell prior to surgery and radiotherapy. Such treatment is called pre-treatment - complete, a preliminary chemical treatment or neo-adjuvant chemotherapy. Medical experiments to find how to best use it in combination therapy are today. Chemotherapy is sometimes used after surgery to reduce the risk of cancer recurrence.
Chemotherapy is the main treatment of lung cancer, small cell. In many cases, allowing it to people to live longer, with better control of symptoms. Chemotherapy may be given as monotherapy, in combination with radiation therapy, prior radiation treatment, or parallel, to handle this type of lung cancer.
Chemotherapy drugs are sometimes in tablets, but usually intravenous administration, the number of cycles. Each cycle lasts several days and after several weeks of rest, until the next treatment. This rest period allows the body and blood counts to recover from the side effects before the next treatment will be given. Number of treatment cycles you receive will depend on the type of cancer and the degree of tumor response to drugs. Often you can be active even when you are getting chemotherapy. May receive outpatient treatment, but sometimes treatment may be involves spending several days in the hospital.
Side effects:
Chemotherapy can sometimes cause unpleasant side effects. Not all drugs cause those side effects, and some people may suffer fewer side effects. Your doctor will tell you which problems you can expect as a result of the treatment, if any.
Temporary decrease in blood counts;
This can lead to anemia, bruising or bleeding, and increased risk of infection. Decrease in blood counts depends on the type of chemotherapy you receive and unique, and other types of chemotherapy drugs you get at the same time. The doctor will tell you how likely blood counts down from the chemotherapy, and where treatment is likely for this to happen. Blood counts are routinely checked to see if your bone marrow is functioning properly. If necessary you will be given blood transfusions or antibiotics to treat infection.
If your body temperature goes above 38 degrees or if you feel unwell, even without her body temperature, you get to the hospital immediately.
Nausea;
Some drugs used to treat lung cancer may cause nausea and vomiting. There are currently very effective drugs to help prevent or substantially reduce nausea and vomiting. For which you can get prescriptions from your doctor. If you can not control these symptoms or they persist, you must notify your doctor can prescribe other drugs that may benefit more.
Mouth sores;
Some chemotherapy drugs can cause sensitivity and small ulcers in the mouth. It is very important to perform routine washing of the mouth. The nurse will guide you how to correct these washes. If you feel during treatment decreased appetite, you can try to replace some of the meals nutritious drinks or soft foods.
Hair loss:
Hair loss is another common side effects of chemotherapy. Some people hide their hair loss by wearing wigs, hats or scarves. If your hair does fall out, it will grow back within 6-3 months. Although it is difficult to deal with these side effects when they appear, they are expected to disappear after treatment.
Chemotherapy affects different people in different ways. Some people continue to lead a fairly normal, while many find they are more tired and have to slow down. How will treatment affect your work depends partly on the type of work. Try putting your agenda a rest, avoid doing activities that you do not have to make and use others to perform tasks when you need it. Important that you do only what you can, and do not bother beyond you.