Looking for more information on lung cancer? According to the Mayo Clinic, lung cancer is a leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States among both men and women. There are different kinds of treatments available for those who are diagnosed with this type of cancer, a choice which needs to be made by both you and the medical professionals who are overseeing your treatment.
In order for you to decide which treatment option is going to work for you, you will need to understand the risks and benefits that come with each treatment choice.
lung cancer starts in the lungs and can potentially spread to other parts of the body. While smoking cigarettes is a common cause of most lung cancers, this type of cancer can also be caused by breathing in pollution, being exposed to high amounts of radiation and being exposed to asbestos.
Common symptoms include ongoing chest pain, a persistent cough, shortness of breath, frequently being diagnosed with pneumonia or bronchitis, experiencing a loss of appetite and feeling overall generally fatigued.
The type of treatment is dependent upon the type of cancer, what stage the cancer is in and the patient's ultimate goals. The following is a list of some of the more common treatments available for addressing lung cancer.
Chemotherapy utilizes specifically made drugs to kill cancer cells.
Radiation therapy uses high-powered energy beams to kill cancer cells.
Immunotherapy utilizes a patient’s own immune system to fight off cancer cells and is more often than not used to treat people living with advanced lung cancer.
Targeted drug therapy focuses on preventing the abnormalities found in cancer cells from forming in the first place, causing the cancer cells to die.
Surgery is a treatment option that removes the part of the lung which is cancerous. There are a few different surgical procedures available for treating lung cancer, with each procedure performing a specific type of cancer removal. These procedures include but are not limited to wedge resections, segmental resections, lobectomies and pneumonectomies.
Alternative therapies can be used alone or with other traditional cancer-fighting therapies. Some of the more popular alternative therapies available for treating lung cancer patients include acupuncture, hypnosis, massage therapy, meditation and yoga.
Do you have any other questions about lung cancer treatments? Whether you think you have lung cancer or have recently been diagnosed, the more you understand about your treatment options, the better. Since every one of the treatment options above come with their own benefits, risks and side effects, it is essential for you to understand the specifics of each treatment option.
If you would like to make an appointment with one of our medical professionals, we can get you scheduled in at a time that is convenient for you.
Request an appointment here: https://lindenbergcancer.com or call Lindenberg Cancer & Hematology Center at (856) 475-0876 for an appointment in our Marlton office.
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