How lung cancer is treated in the early stages. Lung cancer

Millions of waste pollutes the environment every second. Moreover, the people themselves smoke, do not install protective devices in factories, drain polluted water into rivers and kill thousands of lives. All these actions lead to the terrible diseases of all mankind. According to scientists, at such a pace, in a few decades all people will be sick. One of the most popular diseases in the 21st century is lung oncology. Lung cancer ranks first among all diseases in Russia. There is no person who would not hear about him. Lung surgery for cancer is one of the worst. To realize the scale of the disease, just look at the laid out lung of a patient with cancer. However, what is the characteristic of this disease?

About the disease:

   Lung cancer is malignant tumor  on the epithelial tissue of the bronchus. Most often ends with the removal of the lung in cancer. Very easily confused with lung metastases. It is divided into central, peripheral and massive depending on the position.

1. Central. Such a species manifests itself relatively early. It differs in that during development it affects the mucous membrane of the bronchus and disrupts bronchial patency, causing pain and impaired nerve innervation. It is characterized by cough (dry, then mixed with sputum and in the last stages blood appears). The body temperature, purulent sputum and shortness of breath increase. Sometimes the result is a loss of voice.
2. Peripheral. There are no painful endings in the lung tissue, so pain is not observed. However, when the tumor site grows and the bronchi grow, there may be internal bleeding. With this lung cancer  there may be coughing, coughing up blood, hoarse voice, and so on.
3. Massive. This type of lung oncology combines the two previous ones with all the consequences. Symptoms and ways of development. Of course, very rarely does the disease come "from nowhere." Usually it is preceded by a number of reasons that allow the disease to enter the body and begin to develop there.

Background of lung oncology

   It is known that cancer is a consequence of the modification of cells of tissues and organs. Under external mutational conditions, a normal cell can transform with cancer. What contributes to this?

1. The first and most important reason is the inhalation of carcinogens. They are the cigarettes. And that's why they say that not only smokers can get lung cancer. The smoke that forms when smoking a cigarette disperses through the air, and people located close to the “fire point” breathe in these carcinogens. The latter, entering the body, violate the life cycle of cells and cause them to mutate. Do not repeat. That 1 drop of nicotine kills a horse, and 1 pack of cigarettes increases the chance of lung cancer by 10-15 times.
2. Prior diseases. People with pneumonia or tuberculosis already have a chance to get lung cancer.
3. Radioactive radiation. All radiation that surrounds us, being invisible, quietly affects our cells.
4. Atmospheric pollution directly affects the state of the cells.
5. Asbestos, radon, arsenic, nickel and other heavy metals adversely affect the cells of the body.

   In any case, in the treatment of lung cancer is very important in time to detect the disease. What are the symptoms inherent in it?

Symptoms depend on the stage of cancer development. If the disease is started, then symptoms of metastatic organ damage, such as disintegration of lung tissue, severe pulmonary hemorrhages, and so on, come into play. If we talk about common symptoms, we can distinguish several:

• Pain. The easiest thing to notice and difficult to confuse with something is pain in the chest. In lung cancer, this symptom is observed more than in half of the patients. And the pain in this area already indicates a serious illness, since there are no tissues capable of pain in the lungs themselves. The strength of the pain depends on the stage and size of the tumor.
• Shortness of breath. Sometimes, of course, it is completely unrelated to the lungs, but it is still a fairly significant symptom of the disease. Characterized by both types of illness. Most often seen in the later stages, but sometimes it occurs in the early ones. Leads to squeezing blood vessels  and worsens the situation, and this is dangerous.
• Cough. Cough is most common in central cancer, but sometimes also in peripheral cancer. Sometimes it is dry, sometimes with sputum, in the later stages there is hemoptysis. Blood can be seen in different shades: from bright red to brown. This is usually caused by a narrowing of the bronchus, insufficient ventilation and the development of pleurisy and focal pneumosclerosis.
• Minor symptoms such as weight loss, weakness and others are also inherent. But they, as a rule, mean nothing, as are inherent in many types of diseases.

Lung cancer metastasis

Metastasis is the process of spreading cancer cells with the formation of secondary tumor foci of the disease.
   Lung cancer usually metastasizes in three ways: lymphogenous, hematogenous, and implantable.
   The most common lymphogenous pathway of metastasis. Cells spread through the bronchopulmonary lymph nodes.

Diagnosis of lung oncology

   Detection of lung cancer usually follows the same pattern: symptoms appear — examination — the result. But the examination may take place in different ways. Main types of examination:

• Clinical. Defines the external symptoms of the disease (cough, pain, etc.)
• With X-ray and other types of disease, spots in the lung area can be found in the picture, according to which a specialist can name the disease and the stage
• Bronchoscopy. Mandatory screening for suspected lung cancer, which probably determines the size of the tumor and the general condition of the lungs.
• Tumor markers. They are used in oncology quite often. Their principle is quite simple, but they do not provide accurate information and are often mistaken.
• Ultrasound. The most inexpensive type of examination, in which due to the darkening of transparent tissue, you can see the lung. The method is quite simple and effective. In our country it is used more often than others.

Lung Cancer Treatment

   In the early stages, it is still possible to cure lung cancer.
   Different doctors recommend treating different stages of the disease in different ways. This means that it is very difficult to choose the most suitable. Main treatments for lung cancer:

• Surgical intervention
• Radiation therapy
• Chemotherapy for lung cancer
• Palliative treatment

1. Surgical intervention for lung cancer.
   Surgical therapy is of three types: radical, palliative and conditionally radical. In any case, lung surgery for cancer does not end well. With radical and conditionally radical therapy, the entire tumor site is removed, that is, the lung is removed during cancer. It is clear that at the last stage it is useless, because you have to delete a lot. With conditional radical treatment, radiation and drug treatment  after operation. Palliative therapy speaks for itself. Only that which can reduce pain is removed, prolonging a little the life of incurable patients.

Removal of the lung in cancer is a simple but very unpleasant procedure. As a rule, people with one lung can live, but their livelihoods worsen. The operation on the lungs in cancer takes a long time. The removed organ of a patient with lung oncology is not a sight for the faint of heart.

2. Radiation therapy for lung cancer. Radiation therapy - treatment of the former site of the tumor. It is applied after all types of surgical intervention, on which it depends. This method of irradiation is most often used in the early stages.

3. Chemotherapy for lung cancer. With contraindications to radiation exposure, and sometimes with contraindications for surgical intervention, chemotherapy is used for lung cancer. The basic principle of treatment is the introduction of chemicals into the human body, such as doxorubicin, etoposide, cislatin, and others.

4. Palliative treatment for lung cancer. Palliative treatment is used in the latter stages of the disease. Usually consists of blood transfusions, psychological support, detoxification, anemia control and pain relief. It is applied, as a rule, when there is no chance of recovery, and the person is simply trying to prolong his life. Unpleasant procedure, since the person already understands that he will not survive. Palliative treatment is used in extreme cases.

If you choose between chemotherapy and radiation therapy, many prefer the former. Irradiation is a rather unexplored thing, so you should not risk it.

Lung cancer treatment in life

   When lung cancer is detected, treatment should begin immediately. However, outdated or untrained devices and incompetent doctors may give the wrong diagnosis.

To avoid such situations, it is best to take tests immediately in well-known specialized clinics, cancer centers, cancer institutes and so on.

Operations of this type are best, of course, carried out in Europe. But in the capital of the Russian Federation there are several modern-equipped centers.

In any case, it is important to choose the place and method of treatment correctly and on time.

As a conclusion, we can say a few lines about the disease and treatment.

In lung cancer, the most important thing in time is to determine the disease, its type and choose a method of treatment. The first stage is almost always treated, the second and third 50% 50. The fourth is impossible to cure.

Every year, more than a million people on the planet get lung cancer. For this reason, the considered cancer is considered one of the most common. More than 50% of cases are residents of developed countries. The age of patients mostly exceeds 60 years and more.

Lung cancer (also known as bronchogenic carcinoma or bronchogenic cancer) is a malignant neoplasm that is formed from the epithelium of the lung affected by cancer cells. At the Moscow Oncology Center, experienced specialists conduct effective treatment  this dangerous disease.

  Occurrence factors and types of lung cancer

The main reasons for the occurrence of the disease are:

• genetic predisposition;
• smoking;
• tuberculosis;
• work in hazardous industries (with the constant influence of chemicals on the respiratory organs);
• chronic diseases respiratory tract;
• injuries chest.

The most dangerous is small cell lung cancer. This type of disease occurs mainly due to smoking, it multiplies very rapidly. As for the second type - large-cell lung cancer, the more common variant of the disease - 80% of all cases.

It should also be noted that multicellular lung cancer is divided into three types:

• adenocarcinoma;
• undifferentiated type;
• squamous cell type.

In 50% of all cases of detection of large-cell lung cancer, it is precisely adenocarcene. The disease occurs in most cases in non-smokers, affecting the peripheral zone of the body. Squamous cell type affects the central part of the chest and bronchi, it is much less common than adenocarcinoma. If we talk about the undifferentiated type, then we note the fact that such a disease is extremely rare.

A number of studies show that most often bronchogenic carcinoma is associated with the negative impact of hazardous industries (metallurgy, chemical industry, mining, etc.). But still, the main reason is smoking.

  Symptoms and development of lung cancer

At the earliest stages, the presence of the disease is often evidenced by such factors as increased fatigue, general weakness, decreased performance, and appetite. Develop inflammatory processes  airways, the patient’s body temperature rises. A characteristic sign of lung cancer is also the appearance of symptoms of colds for more than a month. It is necessary to consult a doctor if one of the symptoms is detected.

It should be noted separately that the symptoms of the disease always manifest themselves depending on the size of the tumor, its location, the presence of metastases. When bronchocarcenomas are called frequent symptoms: cough (often worried, with sputum or dry, it happens with bleeding), pain in the chest (in the part of the cell where the tumor is located), shortness of breath, pain in the heart, narrowing of the esophagus, enlarged lymph nodes.

The symptoms listed above can speak not only about the presence of a tumor, but also other pathologies: chronic bronchitis, tuberculosis, pneumonia, pleurisy, etc. However, if there is at least one characteristic symptom, we advise you to contact a specialist to undergo diagnosis and exclude cancer. In the Moscow Cancer Center, the availability of modern equipment and the use of the latest diagnostic methods allows you to accurately diagnose and begin to choose the optimal treatment method.

  More on symptoms

The cough at the beginning of the disease is rare and dry, with time it turns into constantly disturbing, hacking. It is he who is often indicated in the number of advanced symptoms of lung cancer, but it may not always be called such. For example, in patients with peripheral cancer, it is absent. Cough with central cancer is a consequence of the involvement of the bronchus in the blast wall.

The hemoptysis (streaks of blood in the sputum) indicates the damage to the wall of the bronchus, as well as the destruction of its mucous membrane and blood vessels passing nearby. Usually, this symptom causes you to immediately consult a doctor. But a sign, which is often defined as an early one, may indicate a far-gone process, oncology of the third or fourth stage.

Chest pain usually occurs on the side from which the lung is affected by a tumor. The nature of these pains can be very different in intensity. Most often it is associated with the involvement of the parietal pleura in the process, a little later - the intercostal nerves, intrathoracic fascia, ribs (even before their destruction). The latter case is accompanied by particular torment, constant character and the impossibility of elimination with the help of analgesics.

Dyspnea is a growing discomfort in breathing, chest pain, rapid heartbeat, in some cases accompanied by a rhythm disorder. All this is connected with the "turning off" of significant parts of the lung from breathing, the contraction of the blood circulation channel, and the squeezing of the anatomical structures of the mediastinum. Such symptoms also indicate a process that has gone quite far.

There are individual cases of the disease in which there is a violation of the passage of food through the esophagus. This again indicates a late stage of the oncological process, which often takes place under the “cover” of the neoplasm of the esophagus.

As for hematogenous metastasis of lung oncology to the liver, brain, skeleton bones and other organs, it should be noted that as they grow, there is a progression of clinical symptoms.

  Disease factors

The main factor in the development of the disease are all types of smoking: pipes, cigars, cigarettes. Harmful substances that enter the lungs during smoking process have a bad effect on the cells of the organ. If we talk about the amount of harm, then it is worth considering the age at which the patient began to smoke, the number of cigarettes smoked per day, the depth of puff. The only way to reduce the risk of lung cancer in smokers is to give up the habit. The risk of getting lung cancer is also in passive smokers.

Harm to the lungs by inhalation is also caused by various chemicals (nickel, asbestos, radon, arsenic). If swallowed, the chemical causes great damage to the cells, with regular exposure it can cause the formation of a malignant tumor.

Another dangerous factor in the development of the disease is radioactive radiation.

In tuberculosis and other diseases of the respiratory system, the affected areas of the lungs can become centers of tumor development.

In addition, polluted air of megacities and industrial cities began to be called a factor provoking lung cancer.

  Lung cancer complications

In the advanced forms of the disease, complications arise from organs affected by metastases, the disruption of the primary neoplasm occurs, bronchial obstruction, profuse bleeding in the lungs, and atelectasis occur. Extensive metastases, cancer pleurisy and pneumonia, severe depletion of the body (cachexia) are among the causes of death in lung cancer.

  Methods of diagnosis of lung cancer in the oncology center in Moscow

In the center of PET CT in Moscow, diagnostics begin with a study of the history of the disease. The doctor carefully examines the information about what kind of lung diseases the patient had, whether he smokes and, if so, how long. In addition, it turns out the presence of oncological diseases  in the family of the patient.

In the Moscow cancer center, the diagnosis of lung cancer is carried out on the basis of the following examinations:

• biopsy;
• bronchoscopy;
• blood tests (tumor markers, detailed analysis, etc.);
• sputum examination.

The strongest side of the cancer center is the early diagnosis of PET-CT, which is carried out on the most modern equipment. Diagnostic tests provide an opportunity to investigate the function and structure of the organ, revealing a tumor of even small size. The program of diagnosis of lung cancer in the center of PET CT in Moscow, experts are strictly for each individual patient.

  Methods of treatment of lung cancer in the oncology center in Moscow

PET PET Center is pleased to offer its patients three most modern method  treatment of lung cancer: surgical treatment, as well as radiation and chemotherapy.

It is worth noting that experience confirms the effectiveness of lung cancer treatment with radiotherapy. The use of such therapy requires the presence of equipment with a radioactive source. Such equipment is available at the oncology center in Moscow. As a result of mutations that cause exposure to ionizing radiation, cancer cells  are dying. The most important is the fact that healthy cells of the human body do not fall under the negative influence of radiation, recovering in a short time after the end of the procedure. Note separately the dryness of the skin in those areas in which the irradiation was carried out. Also there is an expansion of the capillaries.

Radiation therapy is used to treat the early stages of the disease, it significantly contributes to the determination of metastasis and localization cancer tumor  for operation.

In the treatment of lung cancer in the center of PET CT in Moscow using chemotherapy, special preparations are introduced into the patient’s body that are designed to suppress the growth of infected cells. Interestingly, cells and tissues that are not affected by cancer are not damaged too much. The reason for this is the individual selection of drugs (the degree of damage, the patient's condition, the type of tumor - these are the factors of choice).

By surgical treatment is meant the partial or complete removal of the affected organ. Before surgery, doctors calculate the possibility of minimal injury to the operation. The condition and age of the patient, the location and size of the neoplasm, the individual characteristics of the body and other important factors are also taken into account.

The most promising today is the treatment of lung oncology with radiosurgery. The advantages of this method include: bloodlessness and painlessness, uselessness in the recovery period after surgery, effective removal of the tumor and metastasis in one procedure.

  Forecast

Statistically, the worst prognosis is observed for untreated lung cancer: about 90% of patients die within one or two years after they disclose the diagnosis. If you conduct non-combined surgical treatment of lung cancer, then we can talk about a five-year survival rate, which is up to 30%. It is best to treat cancer in the first stage, because the survival rate for five years after surgery is 80%. Cancer in the second stage - 45%, third - 20%.

Ten percent survival of patients with lung cancer gives independent chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Combined treatment (radiation therapy + chemotherapy + surgical treatment) gives a survival rate of 40%.

Metastasis of lung cancer to distant organs and the lymph nodes  is prognostic unfavorable.

  Prevention

Due to the highest rates of lung cancer mortality dangerous disease  are more than relevant. Preventing the development of destructive and inflammatory diseases  lungs, active health education, smoking cessation, detection / treatment of benign lung neoplasms, elimination of the daily exposure to carcinogenic substances and occupational hazards are the main elements of lung cancer prevention. Detection of lung cancer in the early stages allows passage of fluorography. It is necessary to undergo this procedure at least once every two years. Detection of the disease in the early stages makes it possible to prevent the development of any complications associated with the running form.

Lung cancer is dangerous and unpredictable: symptoms can be confused with their inflammation! It happens that pathology occurs due to metastasis in the chest organs. Oncology of the lungs is diagnosed in 30% of patients suffering from rectal cancer, thyroid cancer and breast cancer. An oncological process in the lungs can develop against the background of ovarian, renal, and uterine cancer. Malignant tumors can be detected earlier than the primary (primary) tumor. Oncology of the lungs, symptoms are expressed by a tumor that develops from a tissue. This tissue affects the bronchi, bronchioles, and mucous membranes of the bronchial glands.

Lung cancer: prevalence

Experts say: lung cancer is one of the most common diseases.  Year after year the number of patients increases. For the purpose of treatment, the doctor prescribes a molecular analysis of the tumor: this technique is used in the treatment of dangerous tumors. Additionally, the patient is tested to help identify sensitivity to chemical preparations. Diagnosis plays an important role. Based on the data obtained, the doctor will draw up a competent treatment plan, so the patient will be more likely to recover. Malignant tumors are increasingly diagnosed in the later stages.

Doctors accidentally: oncology is visible on x-rays, which are made to identify another disease. However, if a person performs fluorography annually, the doctor will be able to determine the pathology in the early stages, and it is possible that the prognosis will be more favorable.

In any case, pulmonary oncology is dangerous: the symptoms are not clearly expressed, and the patient cannot independently identify the disease. A comprehensive examination is required. Central and has different symptoms. Symptoms depend on the stage of the malignancy and the disorders it causes. It is important to emphasize: lung cancer is often disguised as other diseases.

Symptoms of pathology

The development of oncology in the lungs can occur hidden, but sometimes the symptoms resemble pneumonia.  When the tumor grows in size, the patient develops a cough with sputum, with blood in the sputum. Blood is observed in inflammation of the bronchial mucosa. Lung cancer manifests itself shortness of breath, chest pain. The patient's voice is changing: he becomes hoarse. The tumor consists of harmful substances that can not affect the health of the whole organism.

It is curious to note that the doctor himself may confuse oncology with another disease, for example, osteochondrosis of the cervico-thoracic part. In this regard, it is important to take into account all the symptoms without losing any of them. Lung cancer may be accompanied by such common symptoms as weakness, fever. With the development of pathology, the patient can lose weight.

With a Pancoct tumor, weakness of the hand muscles is observed; pain sensations  in the shoulders, chest, in addition to this, there is pain between the shoulder blades. In this case also arise discomfort  in the forearm, some muscles atrophy.

For the purpose of differential diagnosis should pay attention to the nature of the symptoms. If a person suffers from lung cancer, he usually has Horner's syndrome, which lowers the eyelid of one eye and narrows one pupil. Defeat affects the laryngeal nerve, because of this, the voice becomes hoarse. Peripheral lung cancer is confused with pneumonia: this pathology cannot be overcome with the use of antibiotics. As for temperature, it does not rise to a critical point.

Paraneoplastic syndrome may indicate the presence of a tumor. If a person suffers from this disease, it is manifested by disorders of the nervous system. The patient has difficulty walking, coordination is disturbed. Other symptoms include impaired swallowing, memory impairment, sleep disturbance, blurred vision, slurred speech. When paraneoplastic syndrome increases the level of calcium. In exceptional cases, a malignant tumor produces hormones that are produced by the pancreas, parathyroid gland, adrenal glands, pituitary gland and hypothalamus.

Diagnosis and treatment methods

The physician needs to analyze the patient’s complaints in detail.   It is worth conducting an in-depth examination using the methods of differential diagnosis.  Thanks to a comprehensive study, the doctor will identify the pathology in the initial stages. To select the appropriate method of treatment, it is necessary to study the histological structure of the tumor. Diagnosis includes biopsy of the bronchi and lungs, as well as thorascopy. During the study, the doctor examines the tissue and determines which type of tumor. It is important to know that a tumor can have different cells in it.

Lung cancer can be small cell, combined, epidermal, glandular-squamous. There are directly lung cancer and cancer of the bronchial glands. In nature, there are about twenty types of pathology. To choose the tactics of treatment, the doctor can use international databases where there is information from international therapeutic practice. Modern techniques allow us to identify the sensitivity of the tumor to chemicals before treatment.

In order to diagnose a doctor uses a productive molecular analysis. Proper diagnosis increases the chances of a favorable outcome.  When prescribing a method of treatment, the doctor takes into account the type of tumor, the location of malignant cells and other nuances. The most dangerous and insidious is small cell lung cancer. In the case of him there is an active growth and placetosis of the tumor. This pathology has many unpleasant features.

It happens that a malignant growth grows in the inner part of the bronchus, then the patient appears headache, fever, chest pain. If the tumor disintegrates, pneumothorax occurs. When the pathology goes to a later stage, it spreads to the surface of the pleura: this can lead to hemothorax. Such conditions are a threat to human life: in the case of them, emergency assistance is needed!

The development of lung cancer is dangerous for health and life in general. Again: pathology is difficult to recognize in its early stages. X-rays and medical examination are not enough. Helps bronchoscopy in conjunction with a biopsy. For the purpose of diagnosis it is necessary to use computed tomography. In peripheral lung cancer, the doctor prescribes a transtorokal needle biopsy, in which tissue is taken from the chest wall. Sometimes it is impossible to do without opening the chest. To clarify the location of the tumor, the doctor uses different methods of diagnosis, among them: bronchoscopy, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, radionuclide study. Thanks to them, the doctor manages to choose the appropriate method of treatment.

About risk factors

First of all, it is smoking. Active and passive smokers are 10 times more prone to disease than healthy, non-smokers. If a person has a long smoking history (10-20 years), lung cancer is not far off! It is advisable to quit smoking: it is easier to protect yourself from oncology. Pathology can develop in those who have contact with harmful substances, working in hazardous production. If a person is in contact with carcinogens for a long time and breathes in polluted air, the development of pathology is possible.

If you work in a harmful enterprise, you need to ensure proper protection, in particular, to protect the respiratory tract. Heavy metal compounds and contact with asbestos dust can lead to lung cancer. If a person loses weight noticeably, he has hemoptysis, shortness of breath, pain in the chest, high fever to small elevations, which means that the disease has passed into a difficult stage. The presence of metastases in the thoracic organs requires prompt treatment!