Lung Cancer Chemotherapy

Archive for January, 2009

Lung cancer is generally divided into two main categories; small cell and non small cell. The small cell lung cancer is further divided into several additional subcategories. The vast majority (approximately 80 percent) of people diagnosed have non small cell lung cancer.Symptoms of non small cell lung cancer include breathlessness, chest pain, coughing up blood, fatigue, fever and weight loss, and is usually diagnosed by imaging, lung biopsy, and/or blood tests. These symptoms normally do not manifest themselves until the disease has become widespread, making the treatment much more difficult.Depending on which type of non small cell lung cancer is present, the stage it is in, the exact location of the cancerous mass, the number and type of symptoms present and the overall patient health will determine the outcome of the treatment.If the disease is caught early, it can be treated by surgery and the odds of defeating it are pretty good. Once it spreads to the surrounding chest tissues and the lymph nodes, chemotherapy and radiotherapy are utilized for treatment. The five year survival rate for non small cell lung cancer, if it is caught in the early stages, is greater than 50 percent. However, if it has reached ...

The main three symptoms to lung cancer that should not be ignored are shortness of breath, pain when breathing or coughing, and existence of a persistent cough, especially if it is accompanied by expectoration of sputum streaked with blood. Additionally, loss of appetite, fatigue, unusual losses of weight are three symptoms, which are indicative of lung cancer.Because of the non-specific nature of symptoms of Mesothelioma, Mesothelioma tests are imperative to rule out incidence of the disease when lung cancer symptoms show up. Early detection of Mesothelioma cancer substantiated by clear information of patient's exposure to asbestos can help define the course of treatment.Early Detection Of Mesothelioma Cancer In Long Term Health PrognosisThe length of time between asbestos exposure and onset of lung cancer symptoms can be between 15-50 years. Therefore a complete medical history and information of possible asbestos exposure are critical in identifying patients who are prone for developing Mesothelioma lung cancer.During physical tests for Mesothelioma lung cancer, the doctor may check breath sounds to see whether there is any indication of fluid in the chest cavity. A variety of diagnostic procedures also help to determine whether a patient has Mesothelioma lung cancer.Results from imaging scans, tissue biopsies, pulmonary ...