Treatment Options For People With Lung Cancer

Treatment Options For People With Lung Cancer
By Gray Rollins

Several treatments are currently available and the
determination as to which one is prescribed depends on the lung
cancer stage that has been diagnosed, the location of the
cancer, and the patient’s health. The most common treatments for
lung cancer include Surgery, Radiation, Chemotherapy, and
Targeted Therapy.

Surgery

Surgery involves cutting away a cancerous tumor and a portion
of the tissue that has surrounded the tumor. Sometimes the
surgical treatment involves removal of the entire affected lung.
Surgery is often effective, but recovery time can be long.
Because the surgeon will have to cut through the rib cage to get
to the lungs, there will be pain and bed rest for one to two
months after the procedure. 

In addition to traditional surgical methods, other types of
surgical procedures can be used depending on the location of the
tumor and also the patient’s physical condition. A craniotomy,
which is basically surgery performed through a hole made to the
skull can be prescribed to tumors located in the brain. For
small tumors, a procedure whereby a video camera is inserted
into a tiny incision helps the surgeon zero in on a tumor.
Because the incision is small, pain is generally reduced.

Radiation 

Radiation can either be used by itself or in conjunction with a
surgical procedure. Radiation can be beamed directly at the
cancerous tumor from the outside of the body using a laser, or
radiation can be delivered directly to the tumor via a small
pellet. When a patient’s overall state of health is poor,
radiation is a better alternative than undergoing a surgical
procedure. In cases where surgery has been performed, radiation
might also be prescribed as a way to remove the cancerous cells
that for whatever reason could not be surgically removed.
Radiation

to remove brain tumors can result in changing the
brain’s functionality later on, but may be the only option.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is actually a drug that works to remove cancer by
way of the bloodstream. Chemotherapy drugs can be taken either
orally or administered via an injection into a vein. Because the
bloodstream can carry the drug throughout the body, Chemotherapy
is often the preferred treatment when has spread
well beyond the lungs. One problem associated with chemotherapy
is that it can also cause damage to healthy cells and the cells
that produce blood that reside within the bone marrow. Low blood
counts can lead to a number of different problems so
Chemotherapy treatment must be closely monitored. 

Targeted Therapy

Targeted Therapy is a relatively new treatment option that does
show promise. Instead of focusing on destroying damaged cells
(which can also damage healthy cells), these drugs instead are
designed to interfere with a cancerous cell’s ability to grow.
Right now, Targeted Therapy drugs are given to patients only
after other treatment options have been attempted. And
unfortunately, Targeted Therapy has not been effective for all
patients.

Each treatment option has benefits, risks and
frequently, side effects. Deciding which option is best is
something that only a doctor and patient can determine.

About the Author: Gray Rollins is a featured writer for
http://www.lifelungcancer.com. To learn more about lung cancer
treatments, visit http://www.lifelungcancer.com/

Source: http://www.isnare.com

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