Lung cancer treatment

Lung Cancer Treatment

Treatment decisions in lung cancer depend on whether SCLC or NSCLC is present. Treatment also depends on tumor stage, particularly in NSCLC. A person’s general physical condition (the ability to withstand treatment procedures) is also taken into account.

The most widely used therapies for lung cancer are surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Read more…

Exams and Tests for Lung cancer

Exams and Tests

Upon hearing about the symptoms, a health-care provider will formulate a list of possible diagnoses. He or she will ask questions about the symptoms, medical and surgical history, smoking and work history, and other questions about lifestyle, overall health, and medications.

Unless severe hemoptysis is occurring, a chest x-ray will most likely be performed first to look for a cause of the respiratory symptoms.

• The x-ray film may or may not show an abnormality.
• Types of abnormalities seen in lung cancer include a small nodule or nodules or a large mass.
• Not all abnormalities observed on a chest x-ray are cancers. For example, some people develop scarring and calcium deposits in their lungs that may look like tumors on a chest x-ray film.

In most cases, a CT scan or MRI of the chest will further define the problem. Read more…

Lung cancer : When need to seek Medical care?

When to Seek Medical Care

See a health-care provider as soon as possible if any of the following develop:

• any symptom of lung cancer,
• new cough or change in an existing cough,
• hemoptysis (flecks of blood in the sputum when coughing),
• unexplained weight loss,
• unexplained persistent fatigue, or
• unexplained deep aches or pains.

Go immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department if any of the following occur: Read more…