| True to most cases, the treatment of cancer | | | | lymphadenectomy (removal of one or more lymph |
| depends on a variety of factors. Once a lung cancer | | | | nodes) and for peripheral (outer edge) lung tumors |
| has been staged, the physician and patient can now | | | | that can be removed by wedge resection. |
| discuss between themselves treatment options that | | | | Chemotherapy is the best option together with |
| will be necessary. Patient must be well-informed of | | | | radiotherapy if the tumor is more aggressive and |
| the side effects and possible outcome of a certain | | | | widespread. |
| procedure. | | | | Photodynamic therapy is most suitable for patients |
| Everything should be cleared beforehand to avoid | | | | having inoperable lung cancer. This begins with the |
| regret. Other factors that are taken into account also | | | | shot of a light-activated drug (e.g., photofrin |
| includes the patient's general health, medical problems | | | | polyhaematoporphyrin, lumin). Then during |
| that may affect treatment (such as chemotherapy), | | | | examination of the airways using a flexible scope the |
| and tumor characteristics. | | | | lung tumor is illuminated by a laser that transmits light |
| The characteristics of a lung tumor helps doctors | | | | of a specific wavelength. The laser light is used to |
| separate patients into two groups: people with low | | | | wipe out the sensitized tumor tissue. |
| risk of cancer recurrence and people with high risk of | | | | Skin photosensitivity or light sensitivity is the side |
| cancer recurrence. | | | | effect of PDT. The healing potential of PDT is the |
| Surgical resection is done with patients whose | | | | most exciting aspect of this therapy in lung cancer |
| cancers have not yet spread beyond the lung. This is | | | | patients whose tumors are unseen on chest X-rays. |
| done through the following options: Thoracotomy - | | | | The tissue-sparing effects of PDT may be particularly |
| the opening of the chest wall for surgical procedures | | | | important for individuals with limited lung function. |
| - and median sternotomy - surgery performed by | | | | Electrosurgery is performed using a needle, bulb, or |
| cutting through the breastbone. | | | | disk electrode. Nd-YAG laser therapy |
| Other approaches include anterior limited thoractomy | | | | (neodymium-yttrium/argon laser that concentrates |
| (ALT), thoractomy performed on the frontal chest | | | | high-energy electromagnetic radiation to destroy |
| using a small incision; anterioraxillary thoracotomy | | | | tissue), cryotherapy (destruction of tissue using |
| (AAT), thoracotomy performed on the frontal chest | | | | extreme cold), and brachytherapy (treatment with |
| near the underarm; and posterolateral thoracotomy | | | | ionizing radiation) are extra tumor size-reducing |
| (PLT) thoracotomy performed on the back/side | | | | techniques that may be performed during |
| region of the trunk. ALT, in particular, is less invasive | | | | bronchoscopy. |
| than standard thoractomy - that is, it involves less | | | | Radiotherapy - better known as radiation therapy - |
| disturbance of the body by incisions or other intrusive | | | | uses high energy radiation in order to kill cancer cells. |
| measures. ALT may result in less surgical blood loss, | | | | Cancer cells more often than not multiply quicker |
| less postoperative drainage, and less postoperative | | | | than other bodily tissues; they are affected by |
| pain than standard thoracotomy. | | | | radiation which prevents cells splitting up and the |
| Lately, other less invasive procedures are being | | | | formation of DNA. |
| performed for the removal of tumorous tissue. For | | | | Unfortunately, bodily tissues that also divide rapidly, |
| example, the video-assisted thoracoscopy (VAT), | | | | such as the hair and skin, are very vulnerable to |
| otherwise known as video-assisted thoracic surgery | | | | radiotherapy. The most side effects of this therapy |
| (VATS). This procedure uses a video camera to help | | | | include hair loss and skin disorders, such as skin |
| envision and operate on the lung within the chest | | | | redness due to blood vessel congestion; puritis, |
| cavity. The surgical incisions made during VAT are | | | | itching; desquamation, sloughing-off of outer skin |
| more minor than those needed for thoracotomy or | | | | layers; pain; atrophy, shrinking; increased |
| sternotomy. | | | | pigmentation; edema, swelling), as well as fetal |
| However, physicians warn that VAT does not | | | | damage, increased susceptibility to infection, |
| actually allow complete lung examination to identify | | | | tachycardia (increased heart rate), changes in taste |
| and remove metastases that are not detected by | | | | perception, anorexia (loss of appetite), malaise, |
| preoperative chest X-ray. VAT is appropriate for | | | | nausea, and vomiting. |
| Stage 1 and Stage 2 cancers that require lobectomy | | | | A good physician will discuss all the options available |
| (surgical removal of a lung lobule) with | | | | with their patient, as well as the possible side effects. |