How Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Is Treated
When you breathe, air flows down your trachea, through your bronchi, and into your lungs. When a person develops non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), it usually (though, not always) begins within the bronchi. Once it forms, the cancer generates chemicals that help produce new blood vessels, which in turn feed the cancerous cells. This process results in the formation of a tumor. Eventually, the tumor grows until it can be identified through an x-ray. Meanwhile, the cancerous cells metastasize and become more difficult to treat.
Below, we'll explain a few treatment paths for NSCLC, including surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Lung cancer is a life-threatening disease; the earlier it is diagnosed, the higher likelihood it can be successfully treated.
Surgical Procedures
Surgery is often the most effective way to eliminate NSCLC. There are four types of operations used by physicians. The least severe is a procedure called a wedge resection. This is done to remove the tumor and a small portion of the surrounding tissue. Another type of surgical procedure is called a lobectomy and involves the removal of the lobe in which a tumor and cancerous cells exist.
A surgeon will perform a pneumonectomy when it is necessary to remove the entire lung. A sleeve resection might be performed with the surgeon believes removing a portion of the affected bronchus is beneficial.
Internal Or External Exposure To Radiation
Radiation therapy is occasionally used as the primary treatment path for NSCLC when surgery presents a risk to the patient's health. It can be delivered internally or externally. In the case of the former, radiation is delivered to the affected area through catheters and wires. In the latter case, a machine that emits radiation is positioned near the patient and is programmed to send x-rays toward the tumor.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is used to target and destroy cancerous cells. It can be delivered regionally (that is, to a specific area) or systemically through the bloodstream. If the disease is still localized, the chemicals can be injected directly. If it has metastasized, oral ingestion is usually necessary; that allows the chemicals to spread to the affected sites.
Chemo takes a toll on the body. Physicians administer it in sessions in order to allow patients time to recuperate before beginning subsequent cycles of treatment.
Other Forms Of Treatments
Besides surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, doctors might use radiofrequency ablation or photodynamic therapy to treat localized NSCLC. Radiofrequency ablation is typically used for smaller tumorous masses that are located at the edge of the lungs. Photodynamic therapy is used to treat small tumors that exist in the airways. Both forms of treatment are used when other strategies are deemed a poor choice.
The challenge with lung cancer is that it can metastasize quickly, often before tumors appear on x-rays. When this happens, it is difficult to resolve through localized treatment alone. Speak with your surgeon about the types of treatment available to determine the best approach for your personal circumstances. - 30285
When you breathe, air flows down your trachea, through your bronchi, and into your lungs. When a person develops non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), it usually (though, not always) begins within the bronchi. Once it forms, the cancer generates chemicals that help produce new blood vessels, which in turn feed the cancerous cells. This process results in the formation of a tumor. Eventually, the tumor grows until it can be identified through an x-ray. Meanwhile, the cancerous cells metastasize and become more difficult to treat.
Below, we'll explain a few treatment paths for NSCLC, including surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Lung cancer is a life-threatening disease; the earlier it is diagnosed, the higher likelihood it can be successfully treated.
Surgical Procedures
Surgery is often the most effective way to eliminate NSCLC. There are four types of operations used by physicians. The least severe is a procedure called a wedge resection. This is done to remove the tumor and a small portion of the surrounding tissue. Another type of surgical procedure is called a lobectomy and involves the removal of the lobe in which a tumor and cancerous cells exist.
A surgeon will perform a pneumonectomy when it is necessary to remove the entire lung. A sleeve resection might be performed with the surgeon believes removing a portion of the affected bronchus is beneficial.
Internal Or External Exposure To Radiation
Radiation therapy is occasionally used as the primary treatment path for NSCLC when surgery presents a risk to the patient's health. It can be delivered internally or externally. In the case of the former, radiation is delivered to the affected area through catheters and wires. In the latter case, a machine that emits radiation is positioned near the patient and is programmed to send x-rays toward the tumor.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is used to target and destroy cancerous cells. It can be delivered regionally (that is, to a specific area) or systemically through the bloodstream. If the disease is still localized, the chemicals can be injected directly. If it has metastasized, oral ingestion is usually necessary; that allows the chemicals to spread to the affected sites.
Chemo takes a toll on the body. Physicians administer it in sessions in order to allow patients time to recuperate before beginning subsequent cycles of treatment.
Other Forms Of Treatments
Besides surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, doctors might use radiofrequency ablation or photodynamic therapy to treat localized NSCLC. Radiofrequency ablation is typically used for smaller tumorous masses that are located at the edge of the lungs. Photodynamic therapy is used to treat small tumors that exist in the airways. Both forms of treatment are used when other strategies are deemed a poor choice.
The challenge with lung cancer is that it can metastasize quickly, often before tumors appear on x-rays. When this happens, it is difficult to resolve through localized treatment alone. Speak with your surgeon about the types of treatment available to determine the best approach for your personal circumstances. - 30285
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