You and your medical practitioner choose a lung cancer treatment plan based on a number of factors, for instance, your overall health, the stage and type of your cancer, and your preferences.
In some circumstances, you may choose not to go through treatment. For instance, you may think that the side effects of treatment will outweigh the potential benefits. If that’s the case, your medical practitioner may suggest comfort care to treat only the symptoms the cancer is causing, such as shortness of breath or pain.
The most common lung cancer treatment options
Surgery
Throughout surgery, your doctor works to take out the lung cancer and a margin of healthy tissue. If you undergo surgery, your doctor may also take out lymph nodes from your chest in order to examine them for signs of cancer.
Surgery may be an option if your cancer is limited to the lungs. If you have spread lung cancer, your doctor may recommend radiation therapy or chemotherapy before surgery in order to minimize the cancer.
If there’s a chance that cancer cells were left behind after surgery or that your cancer may reappear, your doctor may recommend other lung cancer treatment options such as radiation therapy or chemotherapy after surgery.
Radiation therapy
Radiation therapy uses high-powered energy beams from sources like protons and X-rays to kill cancer cells. Throughout radiation therapy, the patient lies on a table while a machine moves around him, directing radiation to exact points on his body.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy applies drugs to kill cancer cells. Several chemotherapy drugs may be given through a vein in your arm or taken orally. A combination of drugs usually is given in a series of treatments for months, with breaks in between so that you can get better.
Stereotactic body radiotherapy
Stereotactic body radiotherapy, aka radiosurgery, is an intense radiation treatment that targets many beams of radiation from several angles at the cancer. Its typically completed in some treatments.
Targeted drug treatments
Targeted drug treatments focus on certain malformations present within cancer cells. By blocking these malformations, targeted drug treatments can trigger the death of cancer cells.
disclaimer
Don’t forget that you should always seek the guidance of your practitioner or other qualified health professional with any questions you might have regarding your health or a medical condition. Never forget about the advice of a medical professional, or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this or any other Website.
Also read:
What are the symptoms of Lung Cancer?