If the cancer has spread outside the lungs, there is no cure for it, but treatments can reduce the signs and symptoms and increase the length of life of the patient. One of the most important things that you can do to prevent the development of lung cancer is to stop smoking. Also, talk to your children about not smoking. It is very important to get them educated about the dangers of smoking.
Your doctor will use chemotherapy to shrink the tumor, treat the symptoms, and prevent it from recurring. Chemotherapy may also be used to reduce the size of the cancer, which makes it easier to remove during surgery. Most patients will need four to six cycles of chemotherapy, although you may need additional rounds later. Chemotherapy for lung cancer involves taking different medicines. Typically, this medicine will be given intravenously through a tube in your chest. Sometimes, however, you will be given the medicine orally through a pill.
Cough is one of the most common symptoms associated with lung cancer. A persistent cough can be very tiring and prevent you from sleeping properly. The coughing can also result in vomiting or fractured ribs. Depending on your lung cancer stage, you may experience a dry hacking cough or a productive cough with sputum. The sputum produced during a cough can be either productive or dry, or may even contain blood from your lungs.
Surgery for lung cancer is another option. While most patients don’t need surgery for their cancer, it can be performed if it’s in the early stages. Surgery may include radiotherapy and chemotherapy to kill the cancer cells, which can reduce the risk of the disease returning. A pneumonectomy, on the other hand, involves removing the entire lung. This is sometimes recommended for people with early-stage NSCLC. However, some people may continue to have breathing difficulties after surgery.
Lung cancer has two main types – non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small-cell lung cancer (SCLC). The risk of recurrence depends on the stage of the disease. NSCLC is staged from 0 to IV. The higher the stage, the greater the risk of a recurrence. Stage I patients are one in three who will develop a recurrence. Stage III patients will experience a recurrence in 63% of cases.
Lung cancer can also spread to other organs, affecting the heart and the veins and arteries in the chest. This can cause fluid to build up and block the heart. It can also cause arrhythmias and even heart attacks. Additionally, lung cancer can increase the levels of calcium in the blood. This can lead to hypercalcemia, which can cause vomiting, excessive thirst, and stomach pain. People with lung cancer are also susceptible to deep vein thrombosis, where blood clots form in the deep veins of the lungs. This can lead to pulmonary embolism, which is a serious condition that needs urgent medical attention.
Although the emotional and physical symptoms of lung cancer may vary from patient to patient, many families can recognize the signs of the disease. A person will have difficulty staying awake or sleeping and may have a difficult time eating or drinking. They may also have a fluid buildup in the lung, called pleural effusion, which can make it difficult to breathe. While some people may not experience any symptoms, it is vital that you listen to your loved one’s wishes and concerns.
