Lung Cancer Stages

Lung Cancer Stages Lung cancer begins in a person’s lungs before possibly spreading. The lungs are spongy organs located in the chest that are responsible for taking in oxygen during inhalation and exhaling carbon dioxide. Staging refers to the location of cancer as well as whether and to where the cancer has spread. By knowing the stage, the doctor can decide on the ideal treatment as well as predict the prognosis of the patient more easily.

Symptoms of Lung Cancer
Most of the time lung cancer doesn’t show any signs or symptoms early on. Instead, the symptoms usually begin once the cancer has advanced. These symptoms might include:

• Headache


• Bone pain


• Weight Loss (without trying)


• Hoarseness


• Wheezing


• Chest pain


• Shortness of breath


• Coughing up even a small quantity of blood


• Changes to a chronic (or “smoker’s”) cough


• A new cough which won’t go away

Lung Cancer Stages
The term "stage" refers to the amount to which the lung cancer spread within the body. To determine the stage, a doctor will evaluate the size of the Tumor in addition to whether there are metastases within other organs or the lymph nodes. Staging is crucial for determining the ideal treatment for a tumor as well as a patient’s prognosis. Generally speaking, patients with higher-stage tumors will have a worse prognosis compared to those with lower-stage tumors.

Tests to Stage Lung Cancer
Doctors use a combination of tests to stage lung cancer and these include PET scans, bone scans, CT scans, X-rays, and blood tests. Abnormal blood chemistry tests can indicate metastases within the liver or bone. Radiological procedures are also used to determine the size of a tumor in addition to whether it has spread to additional organs.

Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer
This is the most common type of lung cancer and usually responds differently to various treatments and spreads slower than small-cell lung cancer does. The following chart outlines the stages of non-small-cell lung cancer.

Stages	Description of the Cancer
Stage 1	Within stage one, the cancer hasn’t spread to surrounding lymph nodes and remains in the lungs. There are two sub-stages. Stage 1A: The tumor measures less than 1.2 inches (3 cm) in size.
Stage 1B: The tumor is between 1.2 and 2 inches (3 to 5 cm).
Stage 2	Stage 2A: The tumor is 5 to 7 cm or the tumor is smaller than 5 cm but cancerous cells are in nearby lymph nodes.
Stage 2B: One of the following is true: The tumor is over 7 cm. The tumor is 5 to 7 cm with cancerous cells in nearby lymph nodes. The cancer is not in lymph nodes, but is in surrounding tissue or muscle. The cancer has reached a main airway. The cancer led to the lung collapsing. There are several smaller tumors within the lung.
Stage 3	Stage 3A: In this stage the cancer is either within the lymph nodes located in the center of the chest or it has spread to the surrounding tissue. The surrounding tissue can include the middle chest region, the chest wall, the pleura which covers the lung, or other lymph nodes that are located close to the lung.
Stage 3B: In this stage, the cancer spread to one of the following places: The lymph nodes located above the collarbone on either chest side. Another crucial body part like the heart, windpipe, gullet, or a main blood vessel.
Stage 4	Stage 4 lung cancer means that the cancer is either in both lungs or has entered another area of the body (like the brain, liver, or bones) or that it has led to the buildup of cancer cells that contain Fluid in The Lungs or heart.

Small-Cell Lung Cancer
This type of lung cancer is less common and involves smaller cancerous cells when they are observed under a microscope. There are only two stages of small-cell lung cancer:

• Limited Disease means that cancer is only located within the lung.


• Extensive Disease means that the cancer has spread further than the lung.

Treatments for Lung Cancer
Lung cancer is treated via four basic methods: targeted therapy, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery.

1. Surgery
The surgery aims to remove the complete lung tumor as well as the lymph nodes which are nearby in the chest and the removal must include a surrounding margin of healthy lung tissue. If there is a “negative margin” then no cancer was in the healthy tissue around the tumor. The types of surgery used for lung cancer include radiofrequency ablation, pneumonectomy, segmentectomy, a wedge, or lobectomy.

2. Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy uses high energy particles such as x-rays to destroy the cancer cells. It can be external-beam radiation therapy which involves using a machine outside of the body. There is usually a specific schedule of treatments. Internal radiation therapy (brachytherapy) is less common for lung cancer and involves using implants. This treatment must focus on a specific part of the body.

3. Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy involves the use of drugs which stop the ability of cancer cells to grow and divide, thereby destroying them. It can help with cancer in any stage. Most of the time chemotherapy to treat lung cancer is via IV but it can also be in the form of an oral pill. The treatment can involve one or several drugs and this depends on the type of lung cancer.

4. Targeted Therapy
Targeted therapy treats the specific proteins, tissue environment or genes of the cancer. It blocks cancer from growing and spreading but also limits damage done to healthy cells. The doctor must first run tests to determine which protein, gene, or other factor to target.

How to Avoid the Worsening of Symptoms
Once diagnosed with lung cancer, you can also take several steps to prevent the symptoms from worsening and help deter the cancer from spreading.

• Stay away from cigarettes. Don’t start smoking if you have lung cancer and talk to your kids about the risks of smoking. You should also do your best to avoid secondhand smoke by staying away from places with smokers and encouraging those you know to quit.


• Maintain a healthy diet. Make sure your diet includes fruits and vegetables that contain vitamins and nutrients. Try not to take many vitamins as pills as they can actually increase your risk.


• Know the cancer. Take the time to learn about your cancer as well as the treatment options. This will give you the ability to make informed decisions.


• Seek support from family and friends. Create a support network that can provide emotional, physical and practical support, such as taking you to treatments or helping keep your home clean. You can even look for additional emotional help from various groups.


• Relax and focus. When you feel short of breath, try to relax as Anxiety and fear will make it worse. Try listening to music, praying, meditating or imagining your favorite place to relax.

For more information such as symptoms, causes as well as the staging of lung cancer, watch the video below:

Pneumonia and Lung Cancer

Pneumonia and Lung Cancer Pneumonia is an illness caused by a bacterial or viral infection in the lungs, or fluid buildup caused by a structural problem. Lung cancer is caused by an overgrowth of abnormal cells that turn into lung Tumors. Over 160,000 people die from lung cancer each year. If you are concerned that pneumonia causes lung cancer, this article will help to explain how the two may be related.



Can Pneumonia Develop into Lung Cancer?
Yes, pneumonia can lead to lung cancer. Repeated episodes of pneumonia can cause scarring and inflammation in the lungs. Scar tissue can cause abnormal cell growth during the healing phase that can form tumors that become cancerous.
Risks of recurrent pneumonia are increased by history of Asthma, smoking, breathing in toxic substances on a daily basis, and other lung diseases. Lack of treatment with steroids and bronchodilators can lead to inflammation and permanent lung damage. Pneumonia and lung cancer are strongest in those with a family history of both.
How to Prevent Pneumonia from Worsening toLung Cancer
Since it is a possibility for pneumonia to turn into lung cancer, it is important to take preventative measures to reduce the risk of this happening. Things you can do include:
1. Don't Smoke


Not only is smoking the number one cause of lung cancer, smoking can increase the risk of pneumonia. If you do not smoke, you should try to avoid second hand smoke if at all possible. Do not allow smoking in your home or car to protect your lungs and the lungs of others.
2. Avoid Carcinogens
Try to avoid breathing in fumes from cleaners, paint and solvents. These things can cause inflammation of the lung tissue that can lead to Bronchitis and pneumonia. Try not to eat any foods containing processed chemicals such as preservatives and have your home checked for radon gas and asbestos.
3. Eat Healthy


Try to eat a diet high in antioxidants to help heal lung tissue after pneumonia and prevent cancer cells from forming. Eat a variety fresh food colors like beets, strawberries, green peppers, blueberries, and carrots. Reduce the amount of red meat in your diet, and drink lots of fluids.
4. Treat Lung Infections Promptly
If you do get a respiratory infection, get to the doctor and treated as soon as you develop a cough. Along with treatment, the doctor may give you steroids to reduce inflammation in the lungs. This reduces the risk of scar tissue developing.
Will Lung Cancer Cause Pneumonia?
It can, yes. If you have lung cancer you do run a higher risk of developing pneumonia. Pneumonia is caused by bacterial and viral infections, but if you have lung cancer it can also be caused by obstruction of the lung due to a tumor. It can be very serious and needs to be treated immediately.
Symptoms of Pneumonia and Lung Cancer
When you have lung cancer and come down with pneumonia, the symptoms really aren't any different. One important thing to note, if you do get pneumonia with lung cancer the symptoms may be hard to differentiate and it may be hard to diagnose the pneumonia. The symptoms are very similar. Symptoms of pneumonia include:

• Cough, sometimes severe


• Mucus (rust colored or blood tinged)


• Shortness of breath


• Chills


• Fever


• Fatigue


• Chest pain


• Feeling sweaty


• Confusion


• Nausea and/or vomiting


• Appetite loss

Treatments to Manage Pneumonia and Lung Cancer
The treatment for pneumonia that occurs when you have lung cancer is much like anyone who has pneumonia without lung cancer. The focus will be to treat the pneumonia, relieve symptoms, and increase comfort. Measures will also be taken to make sure oxygen levels remain stable.
Medical Treatments

• Bacterial Pneumonia

In many cases, patients will be admitted to the hospital for intravenous antibiotic therapy, fluids, and oxygen if needed. They may also need to do breathing treatments to keep the airways open. You may be able to stay home and receive antibiotic therapy at home.
The common antibiotics used for pneumonia are azithromycin, erythromycin, ciprofloxacin, or levofloxacin.

• Viral Pneumonia

If you have viral pneumonia, treatment is only supportive since antibiotics won't work. You will most likely be given intravenous fluids, breathing treatments, steroids for inflammation, and oxygen if needed. If you only have a mild case of pneumonia and your cancer is not at an advanced stage, you may be allowed to stay home on bedrest.
Home Care for Pneumonia and Lung Cancer
If you are allowed to stay in your home, the doctor will most likely have you do the following:

• Turn, Cough, Deep Breathe Every 2 Hours

Pneumonia can be complicated by lung cancer and fluids can build up in the lungs and impair breathing. Not moving the fluids in the lungs may make pneumonia worse or even serious. If you are at home, remember to change your body position, cough, and deep breathe every two hours.

• Humidify the Air

If your chest feels tight, turn on a humidifier in your room. This will help to loosen secretions so you can cough them up easier.

• Keep Your Head Elevated

Keep your head elevated at night when you sleep and when you are lying in bed. This will help you breathe better and reduce coughing episodes.

• Drink Plenty of Fluids

Pneumonia can cause fluid losses due to coughing. Lack of fluids can also cause the lung secretions to become tight and make coughing worse. It is very important to increase your fluid intake when you have pneumonia.

• Take All Prescribed Medications

If you have bacterial pneumonia, it is very important to take all of your antibiotics as directed by your doctor. Missing a dose or not finishing them can cause the pneumonia to come back, sometimes even worse. If you have breathing treatments, take them on time to prevent coughing spells and breathing issues.

• Keep in Touch with Your Doctors

When you have pneumonia along with lung cancer, you will want to keep in touch with both your primary care doctor and your oncologist to manage your care. Your oncologist will let you know if you are to stop or continue any cancer treatments during your illness. Make sure you let your care team know any new medications you have been prescribed.

Lung Cancer Stages

Lung Cancer Stages

Lung Cancer begins in a person’s lungs before possibly spreading. The lungs are spongy organs located in the chest that are responsible for taking in oxygen during inhalation and exhaling carbon dioxide. Staging refers to the location of cancer as well as whether and to where the cancer has spread. By knowing the stage, the doctor can decide on the ideal treatment as well as predict the prognosis of the patient more easily.

Symptoms of Lung Cancer
Most of the time lung cancer doesn’t show any signs or symptoms early on. Instead, the symptoms usually begin once the cancer has advanced. These symptoms might include:

• Headache


• Bone pain


• Weight Loss (without trying)


• Hoarseness


• Wheezing


• Chest pain


• Shortness of breath


• Coughing up even a small quantity of blood


• Changes to a chronic (or “smoker’s”) cough


• A new cough which won’t go away

Lung Cancer Stages
The term "stage" refers to the amount to which the lung cancer spread within the body. To determine the stage, a doctor will evaluate the size of the Tumor in addition to whether there are metastases within other organs or the lymph nodes. Staging is crucial for determining the ideal treatment for a tumor as well as a patient’s prognosis. Generally speaking, patients with higher-stage tumors will have a worse prognosis compared to those with lower-stage tumors.

Tests to Stage Lung Cancer
Doctors use a combination of tests to stage lung cancer and these include PET scans, bone scans, CT scans, X-rays, and blood tests. Abnormal blood chemistry tests can indicate metastases within the liver or bone. Radiological procedures are also used to determine the size of a tumor in addition to whether it has spread to additional organs.

Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer
This is the most common type of lung cancer and usually responds differently to various treatments and spreads slower than small-cell lung cancer does. The following chart outlines the stages of non-small-cell lung cancer.

Stages	Description of the Cancer
Stage 1	Within stage one, the cancer hasn’t spread to surrounding lymph nodes and remains in the lungs. There are two sub-stages. Stage 1A: The tumor measures less than 1.2 inches (3 cm) in size.
Stage 1B: The tumor is between 1.2 and 2 inches (3 to 5 cm).
Stage 2	Stage 2A: The tumor is 5 to 7 cm or the tumor is smaller than 5 cm but cancerous cells are in nearby lymph nodes.
Stage 2B: One of the following is true: The tumor is over 7 cm. The tumor is 5 to 7 cm with cancerous cells in nearby lymph nodes. The cancer is not in lymph nodes, but is in surrounding tissue or muscle. The cancer has reached a main airway. The cancer led to the lung collapsing. There are several smaller tumors within the lung.
Stage 3	Stage 3A: In this stage the cancer is either within the lymph nodes located in the center of the chest or it has spread to the surrounding tissue. The surrounding tissue can include the middle chest region, the chest wall, the pleura which covers the lung, or other lymph nodes that are located close to the lung.
Stage 3B: In this stage, the cancer spread to one of the following places: The lymph nodes located above the collarbone on either chest side. Another crucial body part like the heart, windpipe, gullet, or a main blood vessel.
Stage 4	Stage 4 lung cancer means that the cancer is either in both lungs or has entered another area of the body (like the brain, liver, or bones) or that it has led to the buildup of cancer cells that contain Fluid In The Lungs or heart.

Small-Cell Lung Cancer
This type of lung cancer is less common and involves smaller cancerous cells when they are observed under a microscope. There are only two stages of small-cell lung cancer:

• Limited Disease means that cancer is only located within the lung.


• Extensive Disease means that the cancer has spread further than the lung.

Treatments for Lung Cancer
Lung cancer is treated via four basic methods: targeted therapy, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery.

1. Surgery
The surgery aims to remove the complete lung tumor as well as the lymph nodes which are nearby in the chest and the removal must include a surrounding margin of healthy lung tissue. If there is a “negative margin” then no cancer was in the healthy tissue around the tumor. The types of surgery used for lung cancer include radiofrequency ablation, pneumonectomy, segmentectomy, a wedge, or lobectomy.

2. Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy uses high energy particles such as x-rays to destroy the cancer cells. It can be external-beam radiation therapy which involves using a machine outside of the body. There is usually a specific schedule of treatments. Internal radiation therapy (brachytherapy) is less common for lung cancer and involves using implants. This treatment must focus on a specific part of the body.

3. Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy involves the use of drugs which stop the ability of cancer cells to grow and divide, thereby destroying them. It can help with cancer in any stage. Most of the time chemotherapy to treat lung cancer is via IV but it can also be in the form of an oral pill. The treatment can involve one or several drugs and this depends on the type of lung cancer.

4. Targeted Therapy
Targeted therapy treats the specific proteins, tissue environment or genes of the cancer. It blocks cancer from growing and spreading but also limits damage done to healthy cells. The doctor must first run tests to determine which protein, gene, or other factor to target.

How to Avoid the Worsening of Symptoms
Once diagnosed with lung cancer, you can also take several steps to prevent the symptoms from worsening and help deter the cancer from spreading.

• Stay away from cigarettes. Don’t start smoking if you have lung cancer and talk to your kids about the risks of smoking. You should also do your best to avoid secondhand smoke by staying away from places with smokers and encouraging those you know to quit.


• Maintain a healthy diet. Make sure your diet includes fruits and vegetables that contain vitamins and nutrients. Try not to take many vitamins as pills as they can actually increase your risk.


• Know the cancer. Take the time to learn about your cancer as well as the treatment options. This will give you the ability to make informed decisions.


• Seek support from family and friends. Create a support network that can provide emotional, physical and practical support, such as taking you to treatments or helping keep your home clean. You can even look for additional emotional help from various groups.


• Relax and focus. When you feel short of breath, try to relax as anxiety and fear will make it worse. Try listening to music, praying, meditating or imagining your favorite place to relax.

For more information such as symptoms, causes as well as the staging of lung cancer, watch the video below:

Lung Cancer Spread to Brain

Lung Cancer Spread to Brain

Secondary or metastatic brain Tumors start elsewhere in your body but later spread to the brain. One of the most common types of cancer that can spread to the brain is Lung Cancer. About 40% of people with lung cancer eventually develop brain tumors at some stage. It is therefore important to learn more about the signs, symptoms and treatment options for lung cancer that spread to brain.

How Does Lung Cancer Spread to Brain?
The term used for lung cancer that spreads to the brain is “lung cancer metastatic to the brain”. It is different form Brain Cancer that develops within the tissues of the brain. When you have lung cancer metastatic to the brain, the cancer cells break off from the tumor in the lung and enter your bloodstream or spread through lymphatic system into the brain.

Metastases usually appear at the junction of white matter and gray matter, which are types of brain tissue. The junction contains several blood vessels and is often very narrow. Those broken-off cancer cells may lodge here and affects neurons contained in gray matter. On the other hand, white matter contains axons that help neurons connect to one another. What it means is that computational thinking occurs in gray matter, whereas white matter helps facilitate communication between groups of cell in the brain. A tumor appearing in this area will affect those functions.

Tumors can also appear in the cerebral cortex and affect high-level functions such as memory, consciousness, sensory perception, and language. If these cancer cells grow in the Cerebellum, it affects voluntary muscle movements and coordination. There may be a decline in functions such as swallowing, visual coordination, and balance when metastatic tumors grow in the brain stem.

Symptom of Lung Cancer Spread to the Brain

Now you have some information about “How does lung cancer spread to brain?”you may also want to know about the symptoms associated with lung cancer that spreads to the brain. What symptoms you experience usually depends on the location of the tumor and your general health status. It is important to understand that about a third of people with brain metastases experience no symptoms whatsoever.

However, some patients do experience symptoms such as Headaches, loss of balance, difficulty walking, seizures, loss of coordination, nausea, speech problems, memory loss, fatigue, and personality or behavior changes. Some patients also experience vision changes with gradual loss of sensation in a leg or an arm.

How Is Lung Cancer Spread to the Brain Diagnosed?
If you experience symptom related to lung cancer spread to brain, your doctor may order certain tests to make a diagnosis, including:

• Lab studies: Laboratory investigations usually include blood tests, such as electrolyte panel, CBC, liver function panel, and coagulation screen.


• Imaging studies: Several types of imaging tests are now available, including chest radiography, positron emission tomography (PET), computerized tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to help get information about the effects of tumor in the brain and nearby structures. PET scans are especially beneficial because they help get information about actively growing cancer cells.


• In addition, your doctor may also ask for a biopsy to study the cancerous cells in the brain. They usually do this when it becomes difficult to confirm where the cancer began.

Treatment Options for Lung Cancer Spread to Brain
Treatment for lung cancer spread to the brain depends on the type and size of the tumor. The general health of a patient and the initial site of the tumor are other factors that help determine the best treatment options. The main goal of treatment is to help you find some relief from symptoms and improve functioning.

Medications
Your doctor will prescribe different medications to help you deal with the symptoms of lung cancer spread to brain. The medications include corticosteroids, pain medication, and anticonvulsants. They may also give you antihistamines or antacids to control Stress Ulcers and recommend osmotic diuretics to reduce brain swelling. Chemotherapy is also an option – your doctor may give you medications such as radio sensitizers after radiation treatments.

Surgery
Your doctor may recommend surgery when they find a single lesion and no cancer elsewhere in the body. Surgery involves removing the tumor completely, but sometimes, they are only debunked if they have infiltrated brain tissue. Surgery greatly helps relieve symptoms and proves more effective when combined with radiation therapy.

Your doctor may also recommend stereotactic radiotherapy, which is a form of surgery but involves giving a higher dose of radiation to specific areas in the brain. This may be a good choice for some patients because side effects are usually less severe as compared to whole-brain radiotherapy.

Life Expectancy of Those Diagnosed
It is important to understand that patients who have lung cancer spread to brain usually have a median survival of 4 months, after which 50% of patients die. However, people with a few metastases may live beyond this time. Moreover, the combination of safety measures, comfort measures, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and other interventions greatly improve your quality of life.

Is Lung Cancer Curable?

Is Lung Cancer Curable?

Lung Cancer is a group of diseases in which you develop abnormal growths in the lungs. It is among the leading cause of cancer deaths in many parts of the world, like the U.S. In fact, it is now considered more lethal than Breast Cancer in women. In the U.S., the number of deaths caused by lung cancer is now higher than the number of deaths from rectal, prostate, colon, and breast cancer combined. This often makes people ask, "Can lung cancer be cured?" If yes, why is the survival rate is on the lower side? Let's find out more about it.

Is Lung Cancer Curable?
It is hard to answer because it is curable in most cases, but it largely depends on your definition of "cure". In any case, the survival rate is directly related to how early you have been diagnosed with lung cancer. There certain are some treatment options available, which even have helped people survive many years even when they had advanced stage lung cancer.

However, there is unfortunately no real "cure", which means that it can recur even decades after you have been diagnosed with it. Lung cancer is quite like Colon Cancer and breast cancer in the sense that it causes solid Tumors to develop in your body. Long-term remission is definitely a possibility with these types of cancer, so they just cannot be cured completely. Health care providers may use the word "cure" in case of stage 1A lung cancer when the tumor is usually very small and there is no vascular invasion.

So What About the Five-Year Survival Rate?
Now you have understood the answer to your question, "Is lung cancer curable?" you may also want to know about its survival rate. The following chart will help you understand the 5-year survival rate of the two types of lung cancer: non-small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer.

Chart 1: Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Survival Rate
Non-small cell lung cancer has four main stages and the survival rate varies. The table below provides information about five-year survival rate after collecting and analyzing data from 81,000 patients.

Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer	Five-Year Survival Rate
Stage 1	Stage 1A	58% to 73%
Stage 1B	43% to 58%
Stage 2	Stage 2A	36% to 46%
Stage 2B	25% to 36%
Stage 3	Stage 3A	19% to 24%
Stage 3B	7% to 9%
Stage 4	2% to 13%

Chart 2: Small Cell Lung Cancer Survival Rate
Small cell lung cancer usually has two categories – extensive disease and limited disease. Survival rate for people with extensive disease is 5%, whereas survival rate is 25% for people with limited disease. Here comes more:

Small Cell Lung Cancer	Five-Year Survival Rate
Stage 1	Stage 1A	Up to 40%
Stage 1B	Up to 20%
Stage 2	Stage 2A	Up to 40%
Stage 2B	Up to 20%
Stage 3	Stage 3A	Up to 15%
Stage3B	Up to 10%
Stage 4	Up to 1%

How to Extend Your Life with Lung Cancer
Is lung cancer curable? It may or may not be curable depending on your unique circumstances, but you can definitely extend your life by opting for specific treatment options.

1. Surgery
You will have to undergo surgery to best improve your survival rate. You may even be declared "cured" if you undergo surgery at an early stage with cancer not spread to blood vessels or lymph nodes. During the procedure, your doctor will remove the tumor as well as a margin of healthy tissue to prevent recurrence. Doctors may go for:

• Wedge resection that involves removing a section of lung along with tumor.


• Segmental resection that removes a larger section of lung.


• Lobectomy that removes an entire lobe.


• Pneumonectomy that removes one of your entire lungs.

Sometimes, it is important to remove lymph nodes during surgery to check them for any signs of cancer. Be sure to talk to your doctor before undergoing surgery because there are risks and complications associated with it.

2. Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is definitely an option but it is rarely used with curative intent for people suffering from lung cancer. Your doctor gives you certain drugs intravenously to exterminate cancer cells – they may also ask you to take them orally. The treatment may continue for weeks or months, with short breaks in between. You usually need to undergo chemotherapy after surgery to eliminate remaining cancer cells.

3. Radiation Therapy
The procedure involves using high-powered energy beams from different sources such as protons and X-rays to exterminate cancer cells. Your doctor may opt for external beam radiation to kill cancer cells from outside the body or they opt for brachytherapy to kill cancer cells from inside your body. It is usually more effective after surgery and is usually the treatment option for tumors that cannot be removed through surgery.

4. Targeted Drug Therapy
It is relatively newer treatment option for cancer and involves using drugs that target abnormalities in cancer cells. You have to use chemotherapy drugs while being on a targeted drug therapy. The most common targeted therapy options include bevacizumab, afatinib, crizotinib, ceritinib, ramucirumab, and nivolumab. Targeted drug therapies usually work only when your cancer cells have specific genetic mutations.

5. Clinical Trials
Healthcare providers need your support to try some treatment options that may be new but do not guarantee a cure. In other words, clinical trials involve studying the effects of innovative lung cancer treatments. They are suitable for people who have limited treatment options or their cancer has not responded to existing treatment options. So is lung cancer curable? They may be cured by new treatment options, so never give up hope.

6. Palliative Care
Palliative care or supportive care is for people who experience side effects of cancer treatment. You will be working directly with a doctor who will consider your unique circumstances and identify ways to minimize your symptoms. Working with a palliative care team during and after treatment will make it somewhat easier to deal with signs and symptoms associated with cancer and cancer treatment. Studies show that people who receive palliative care after their diagnosis have better chances of surviving through the treatment.

Know the lung structure, symptoms of lung cancer and a detailed description of non-small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer:

Lung Cancer

Lung Cancer






Cancer may occur in any part of your body even in the internal organs. Lung cancer is the cancerous growth or tumor on the lungs. The tumors are of two types namely malignant and benign. Benign tumors are not harmful and can easily be removed since it will not spread to other parts. But malignant tumors are potentially dangerous since they attack the neighboring cells and tissues.

Lung cancer is dangerous since it is one of the most difficult forms of cancer. Lungs are vital parts of our body needed for respiration and any tumor like growth inside can lead to problems in liver and brain. Lung cancer has every possibility to spread to brain, adrenal glands and liver causing death. Two types of lung cancer are small celled lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer. Non small type of cancer develops in almost 85% of lung cancer people. Metastatic lung cancer is the one which starts in any part of the body and subsequently spread to lungs.

Lung Cancer Causes :

• Lung cancer is surely deadliest of all other types of cancer and each year thousands of people die of lung cancer. Very often it develops on adults who are above 50 years.


• The main cause for lung cancer is smoking. Smoking tobacco in any form can cause lung cancer. But there are thousands of people with lung cancer who have not even smoked once in life.


• Working in asbestos prone environment and exposure to strong chemicals like beryllium, gasoline, nickel chromates and chloro-methyl ether certainly will increase the risk of lung cancer.


• People who have COPD Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease have increased chance of getting lung cancer.


• People who are subjected to high level of air pollution, who drink water that has high arsenic content are at risk of developing lung cancer.

Lung Cancer Symptoms :

Lung cancer will not produce symptoms initially. Some people may get chest pain, persistent cough, and blood with cough. Loss of appetite, loss of weight, wheezing and breathing problems are common later. During advance stages there may be joint pain, facial paralysis, eyelid drooping, bone pain, shoulder and nail problems.

Symptoms related to cancer like dysphagia (difficulty in swallowing), paralysis of esophagus, hemoptysis (blood in cough) and Shoulder Pain will be there in some people. Symptoms of metastasis like Headaches, blurred vision, Stroke, weakness and loss of sensation will be observed in some others. Paraneoplastic symptoms are also seen in few people and for some others, there would not be any symptoms at all. Since these signs are indicative of other small disease also, you need to consult your doctor for preventing the risk.

Diagnoses :

Doctors will ask you to take X-ray and CT scan or bronchoscopy for checking the lung cancer.

Pictures of Lung Cancer :

Images, Pics, Pictures and Photos of Lung Cancer

Treatment :

Treatment is available in several forms like surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, photo dynamic therapy and radiofrequency ablation. The doctor will decide the course of treatment based on your age, intensity of cancer and your health condition. Surgery involves removal of cancer causing tumor from the lungs. Depending on the size of tumor and its position, surgeons will open the chest wall and will remove the cancer portion of the lobe and also removal of lymph nodes in the lungs.

Radiation therapy is best suited for both types of lung cancer, which uses high power radiation for killing cancerous cells inside. Radiation therapy is combined with surgery or chemotherapy for getting best results. In chemotherapy drugs are given for stopping the growth of cancerous cells inside.