Lung cancer is a chronic and devastating condition that is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States, according to the Mayo Clinic. Physical manifestations of lung cancer include a chronic cough, trouble breathing, wheezing, hoarseness, unintentional weight loss, a headache and coughing up blood. There are specific treatments that can halt the progression of lung cancer.
Surgery
Surgery is used to remove tumors from the lungs. According to the Mayo Clinic, your surgeon can remove a small portion of your lung with the cancerous tumor. This procedure is called a wedge resection. He can also remove a larger part of your lung. This is called a segmental resection. Other surgical procedures to treat lung cancer include a lobectomy and a pneumonectomy. A lobectomy refers to a procedure in which your surgeon removes the entire lobe (part of your lung). A pneumonectomy refers to the removal of an entire lung. The risks for lung surgery include bleeding and infection. The Mayo Clinic says that you will typically experience shortness of breath after surgery. Over time, your remaining lung tissues will stretch and you can breath better.
Radiation and Chemotherapy
The National Cancer Institute says that your doctor can treat lung cancer with radiation and chemotherapy. Radiation refers to the use of high-energy x-rays to destroy the lung cancer cells. It can also prevent the cancer from growing and spreading (metastasizing) to other parts of your body. Two types of lung cancer radiation therapy exists: external radiation and internal radiation. In external radiation, a machine is placed in front of you and the x-ray beams are focused on your lung tumor. In internal radiation, your surgeon will implant radiative needles or seeds near the cancer. This will emit radiation continuously. Nausea, fatigue and vomiting are a few of its side effects.
Chemotherapy refers to specific drugs that serve as toxins to destroy your cancer cells. Unfortunately, chemotherapy also affects your healthy cells. Typically, chemotherapy medication is available as a tablet or intravenous (through your vein) injection. Common side effects of chemotherapy regimens include nausea, vomiting, hair loss (alopecia), stomach pain, weight loss and fatigue.
Targeted Drug Therapy
According to the Mayo Clinic, bevacizub and erlotinib are target drug therapies that help treat lung cancer. Blood supplies your tumors and can subsequently nourish them and promote its growth and spread. Bevacizub directly works on your lung cancer tumor to prevent it from developing a new blood supply. Typically, this drug therapy is used in combination with chemotherapy. Common side effects of bevacizub include bleeding, infection, blood clots and high blood pressure (hypertension). Erlotinib is a target drug therapy that prevents your cancer cells from multiplying. It interferes with the cascade of reactions that promote cancer cell growth. Side effects of erlotinib include diarrhea and a skin rash.
