Lung cancer is a type of cancer that affects the lungs and the surrounding tissue. According to the American Cancer Society, there are about 219,440 new cases of lung cancer diagnosed each year. Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers that affects men and women. Seeking treatment should be a priority immediately after a diagnosis. Discussing treatment options with your doctor or oncologist will ensure you are taking the best course of action to fight the disease.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is used to treat many stages of lung cancer. Chemotherapy may be a single cancer-fighting agent, or it may refer to a large selection of drugs that target cancer cells. They are generally administered via pill or intravenously on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. Chemo targets the cancer cells that are multiplying and taking over. Chemotherapy drugs are often used in combination with each other in order to minimize side effects from long-term use. New types of chemo drugs, referred to as targeted therapies, are being developed that may help target the bad cancer cells rather than destroying healthy cells.
Radiation
Radiation therapy uses external beam radiation to target lung cancer cells. This is a viable option for patients in which surgery may be too risky. It can also be used in conjunction with surgery to minimize tumor growth and help localize a cancer. Often, radiation may be used with a CT scan in order to precisely target tumors in the lungs. This also allows the oncologist to reach the tumor from multiple angles without damaging and interfering with the surrounding lung area. Radiofrequency ablation utilizes a type of electrical energy to go after lung tumors. The radiation is delivered via needle by using heat to kill the cancer cells.
Surgery
Surgery can be risky with lung cancer patients. There are several different ways to approach a growing tumor in the chest. For diagnostic testing such as biopsy samples from tissue and the primary tumor, a thoracoscopy and mediastinocopy may be preformed. Both methods are generally minimally invasive, using a video assist thoracic surgery or VATS. A wedge resection and segmentectomy involve removing small segments, sections or lobes within the lung. More advanced surgeries involve a sleeve resection, lobectomy and pneumonectomy. These surgeries are very invasive and require the removal of sections of lobes, airways and at times removing an entire lung.
Photodynamic Therapy
Photodynamic therapy is a type of cancer treatment that's generally used in the very early stages of cancer--typically bronchial tube cancer. The treatment utilizes a red laser light and a photo-sensitizing drug in order to kill cancer cells. The drug is inserted by IV and then absorbed by the cancer cells. An endoscope is then used in conjunction with the laser light to chemically target and destroy existing cancer cells.
