Lung Cancer Treatment: Exploring Your Options

According to Cancer.org, millions of individuals throughout the globe are dealing with the effects of lung cancer, which may be fatal if not treated. The condition accounts for most cancer-related fatalities worldwide. Lung cancer treatment depends mostly on the stage and nature of the disease, which is most often caused by smoking, but other factors, including exposure to secondhand smoke, air pollution, radon, and chemicals like asbestos, may significantly raise one's chance of acquiring the illness.

Lung cancer treatment options

Different types and stages of lung cancer and the patient’s general condition require different treatment approaches. Surgical resection, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and targeted therapies are a few treatment options available for combating lung cancer.

Surgery

Surgery is often the initial treatment option when lung cancer is diagnosed at an early stage. The surgery aims to remove the malignant tumor and healthy tissue around it to stop the cancer from spreading.

Wedge resection, lobectomy, and pneumonectomy are all surgical options for treating lung cancer. Pneumonectomy is the removal of the complete lung, whereas lobectomy is the removal of just a portion of the lung. Wedge resection, or segmentectomy, entails cutting off a wedge-shaped piece of the lung, sometimes called a segment. Surgery is often the best option for individuals who are otherwise healthy and whose cancer is localized to one part of the lung.

Radiation therapy

Lung cancer treatment options often include radiation therapy. High-intensity radiation is used in this therapy to eradicate cancer cells and reduce the size of tumors. Radiation treatment may either be delivered by an external beam or through brachytherapy. Brachytherapy involves inserting tiny radioactive seeds into the tumor, whereas external beam radiation therapy employs a machine to administer radiation to the affected region. Radiation therapy is an effective treatment for lung cancer. Depending on the patient's specific case, it may be used alone or in conjunction with other methods, such as surgery or chemotherapy.

Chemotherapy

To kill cancer cells, doctors may resort to the use of medications known as chemotherapy. Common administration routes include intravenous infusions and oral dosing. To improve the odds of success, chemotherapy is often combined with other therapies, including surgery and radiation therapy. Patients with advanced lung cancer or those who cannot undergo surgery often benefit from this treatment.

Targeted therapy

One relatively recent approach to cancer treatment is targeted therapy, which zeroes in on particular alterations in tumor cells that promote their growth and survival. These medicines hinder the cancer cells' development and proliferation. Targeted therapy is often used with other treatments, like chemotherapy, to boost the likelihood of success. Patients with a specific genetic mutation in their lung cancer, such as those with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), are the usual candidates for this treatment.

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is an alternative treatment that stimulates the immune system to fight cancer better. It is versatile enough to work on its own or with other therapies like chemotherapy. Immune checkpoint (ICs) molecules are the targets of certain immunotherapy medications.

These ICs work by assisting the body in recognizing aberrant or damaged cells, which may then be eliminated. In the case of certain malignancies, the ICs may be "tricked" into not picking them up. Immune checkpoints (ICs) are the target of a class of drugs known as immune checkpoint inhibitors, which aid the immune system in eliminating malignant cells. Medical professionals intravenously administer these medications.

Invasive radiofrequency ablation

In radiofrequency ablation, physicians focus high-powered radio waves on a tumor to heat it and destroy any cancer cells. They use CT images to help guide a needle-like probe inserted through the skin and into the tumor. This operation is most often performed in an outpatient clinic, and a local anesthetic is necessary to prevent discomfort caused by the probe's insertion. If they are not surgical candidates, people with tiny NSCLC tumors on the periphery of the lungs may be candidates for radiofrequency ablation.

Conclusion

The optimal lung cancer treatment will ultimately rely on the patient's stage and kind of cancer and general health. It is crucial for patients diagnosed with lung cancer to collaborate closely with the healthcare team at the cancer treatment center to develop a personalized treatment strategy. Many patients with lung cancer may go into remission and enjoy long, healthy lives with the help of modern medicine.

Getting checked out quickly is essential if you suspect that you have lung cancer. Those at the highest risk should be screened and checked often to catch any signs of the condition as early as possible, when it is easier to treat.

Request an appointment here: https://lindenbergcancer.com or call Lindenberg Cancer & Hematology Center at (856) 475-0876 for an appointment in our Marlton office.

Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Lung Cancer Treatment in Marlton, NJ.