Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is a condition in which cancerous cells are present in the lungs. It is one of the leading causes of death.

Symptoms

• A new cough that doesn’t go away
• Coughing up blood
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Hoarseness
• Unexplained weight loss
• Bone pain
• Headache

Causes

• Smoking
• Exposure to secondhand smoke

Types

• Small cell lung cancer – common in heavy smokers
• Non-small cell lung cancer – it includes SCC & adenocarcinoma

Risk factors

• Smoking
• Exposure to secondhand smoke
• Previous radiation therapy
• Exposure to radon gas
• Exposure to asbestos and other carcinogens
• Family history of lung cancer

Complications

• Shortness of breath
• Coughing up blood
• Pain
• Fluid in the chest (pleural effusion)
• Fluid accumulating in the chest can cause shortness of breath

Treatment

• Surgery
• Wedge resectionto remove a small section of the lung that contains the tumor along with a margin of healthy tissue
• Segmental resectionto remove a larger portion of the lung, but not an entire lobe
• Lobectomyto remove the entire lobe of one lung
• Pneumonectomyto remove an entire lung
• Radiation therapy
  • High-powered energy beams are used from sources such as X-rays and protons to kill cancer cells.
• Chemotherapy
  • Drugs are used to kill cancer cells
  • Chemotherapy is often used after surgery to kill any cancer cells that may remain.
  • It can be used alone or combined with radiation therapy.
  • Chemotherapy may also be used before surgery to shrink cancers and make them easier to remove.
• Stereotactic body radiotherapy
  • An intense radiation treatment in which many beams are aimed at cancer from different angles.
  • It is also known as radiosurgery.
  • Stereotactic body radiotherapy may be an option for people with small lung cancers who can’t undergo surgery.
  • It may also be used to treat lung cancer that spreads to other parts of the body, including the brain.
• Targeted drug therapy
  • Targeted drug treatments focus on specific abnormalities present within cancer cells.
  • By blocking these abnormalities, targeted drug treatments can cause cancer cells to die.
  • Many targeted therapy drugs are used to treat lung cancer, though most are reserved for people with advanced or recurrent cancer.
• Immunotherapy
  • Immunotherapy uses the immune system to fight cancer.
  • Immunotherapy treatments are generally reserved for people with locally advanced lung cancers and cancers that have spread to other parts of the body.
• Palliative care
  • Supportive care, also known as palliative care, is a specialty area of medicine that involves working with a doctor to minimize the signs and symptoms.
• Alternative medicine
• Acupuncture
• Hypnosis
• Massage
• Meditation
• Yoga

Prevention

• Quit smoking and avoid areas where people smoke
• Test your home for radon levels
•  Avoid carcinogens at work
• Eat a healthy diet
• Regular exercise

Role of Parishay Healthcare in Planning Lung Cancer Treatment!

After you contact us, a relationship manager is allocated to you who arranges a teleconsultation with an excellent healthcare provider according to your need. After your consent, we move forward with your untroubled travel arrangements, treatment plan, and follow-up care.

For more information visit our website www.parishayafrica.com