| When lung cancer (LC) develops, it is critical to | | | | Because many cases of LC are diagnosed after |
| diagnose it while the disease is still in its early | | | | the cancer has spread to other areas of the |
| stages. As it progresses from Stage I to Stage | | | | patient's body, chemotherapy is a common |
| IV, the available treatment options become limited. | | | | treatment path. It is estimated that 50% of |
| What's more, the chances of treating it | | | | those diagnosed with the disease die within four |
| successfully diminish. In Stage I, the cancerous | | | | months if they do not receive chemotherapeutic |
| cells are still localized to the original site. During | | | | drugs. The drugs can be taken in pill format or |
| Stages II and III, they have begun to spread to | | | | injected directly into the patient's bloodstream. |
| other areas of the chest. By Stage IV, the | | | | The purpose of these medications is to |
| disease has spread to other sites throughout the | | | | systemically kill cancerous cells. The drawback is |
| body. | | | | that they are not discriminatory; these |
| In this article, we'll describe the three main forms | | | | medications will kill both normal and abnormal cells, |
| of treatment: surgery, chemotherapy, and | | | | triggering a host of side effects. Vomiting, blood |
| radiation therapy. Sometimes, one path is | | | | clots, hair loss, and diarrhea are common, though |
| sufficient for removing the diseased tissue. Other | | | | they disappear once treatment ends. |
| times, all three paths are chosen to help prevent | | | | Radiation Therapy |
| a recurrence of cancerous cells. | | | | Radiation therapy is used for the same purpose |
| Surgical Options | | | | as chemotherapeutic drugs. In this case, |
| If the cancerous cells are still localized, the | | | | high-energy beams are used to kill the cancerous |
| diseased tissue can be surgically removed. In the | | | | cells. If a tumor is localized, the radiation can be |
| event that the disease has spread to other areas | | | | delivered externally by placing a machine next to |
| of the lung, surgery is still an option. However, | | | | the patient near the affected site. It can also be |
| because it has spread, removing the affected | | | | delivered internally by positioning a small contained |
| tissue may not cure the affliction. It can recur. | | | | device inside the patient's body near the tumor. |
| This is a case in which in doctors will often | | | | The importance of diagnosing lung cancer in its |
| recommend a multi-pronged approach involving | | | | early stages cannot be overstated. By the time |
| chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or both. | | | | the disease has metastasized throughout the |
| In the past, surgery was performed by opening | | | | body, it is almost impossible to treat it |
| the chest, cutting through the sternum, and | | | | successfully. At that point, chemotherapy and |
| spreading the ribs to gain access to the site. | | | | radiation therapy are used to control the |
| Today, minimally invasive techniques using | | | | symptoms. If lung cancer can be diagnosed early |
| computer-controlled robotic arms can perform the | | | | enough, surgery can still be performed to |
| procedure with more precision and less trauma. | | | | eliminate it. |
| Chemotherapy Medications | | | | |