| In its early stages, lung cancer can be treated | | | | significant amount of weight. This typically happens |
| through surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation | | | | even when the person's caloric intake remains |
| therapy. Depending on the extent to which the | | | | steady. |
| disease has metastasized, a surgeon may be able | | | | Changes In Mind |
| to remove the cancerous tissue by performing a | | | | When a person who is suffering from terminal |
| wedge resection, lobectomy, or pneumonectomy. | | | | lung cancer enters the last few months of their |
| By the time lung cancer has reached stage 4, a | | | | life, they will often start to withdraw from their |
| combination of all three approaches is necessary | | | | loved ones. This is partly due to physical and |
| and even then, may be unsuccessful. | | | | mental fatigue as the disease progresses. It may |
| If the diseased cells cannot be eliminated through | | | | also be due to the person contemplating the end |
| treatment, they will eventually spread throughout | | | | as it approaches. It is important to have a |
| the body to the point where recovery is all but | | | | network of support during these last months. |
| impossible. Death becomes imminent. In this | | | | Preparing For The End |
| article, we'll describe what patients can expect to | | | | During the last few days, the person's body will |
| experience during the final stage of lung cancer. | | | | undergo a "settling down" process as it prepares |
| Changes In Body | | | | itself for death. The skin's temperature will decline |
| In nearly 30% of terminal cases, the patient will | | | | and even take on a bluish hue in spots. The |
| experience malignant pleural effusion. This occurs | | | | patient's breathing pattern will alternate between |
| when fluid begins to fill the space that surrounds | | | | deep and shallow breaths. Eventually, the fluids |
| the lungs. It will result in breathing difficulties, which | | | | that have accumulated in the throat will cause |
| can be reduced by draining the space of fluid. | | | | gurgling. |
| Other common physical changes in the last stage | | | | It is also possible that the person suffering from |
| of lung cancer include bleeding and pain throughout | | | | final-stage lung cancer will suddenly seem |
| the bones. Bleeding can result when the diseased | | | | energetic. He or she may sit up in their bed and |
| cells create an impediment in the patient's airway. | | | | appear mentally alert. This is not a sign of |
| In the case of bone pain, cancerous cells can | | | | recovery. |
| spread into the patient's spine and chest. The pain | | | | Watching a loved one go through the final days of |
| can be controlled with medications. | | | | terminal lung cancer can be heartbreaking. Once |
| In final-stage, the disease can spread into the | | | | the disease has metastasized outside the lung |
| brain. If this happens, the patient may experience | | | | tissue, it spreads quickly. If you are diagnosed |
| seizures and severe headaches. Depending on the | | | | with lung cancer, it is vital that you receive |
| area of the brain that is affected, speech | | | | treatment as soon as possible. Ask your physician |
| problems can also occur. | | | | whether minimally invasive lung cancer surgery is |
| As the patient nears the end, he or she will lose a | | | | an option. |