| Unlike other forms of lung cancer, metastatic lung | | | | that the healthy cells will generally repair themselves |
| cancer is the result of a cancer from another part of | | | | once the chemotherapy process is over. |
| the body spreading to the lungs. When a malignancy | | | | Chemotherapy can provide a cure (when the cancer |
| develops in the body (most often in the breasts, | | | | disappears and does not return) or help to control |
| colon, prostate, or bladder, though almost all cancers | | | | the cancer (to keep it from spreading and perhaps kill |
| have the ability to spread) it can sometimes spread | | | | cancerous cells that have already spread to other |
| through the blood stream. When these malignancies | | | | areas of the body, such as is the case in |
| settle into the pulmonary tissues, such as the alveoli | | | | metastasized lung cancer) or relieve the symptoms |
| (the final vein-like branches of the respiratory | | | | of the cancer (to provide the patient with a better |
| system) and the supporting tissues of the respiratory | | | | quality of life, even in the face of a poor prognosis). |
| structures, the cancer has metastasized to the lungs. | | | | How it's used in any particular situation is dependent |
| Unfortunately, treating metastatic lung cancer | | | | upon the type of cancer, the stage of the cancer, |
| presents significant challenges. Since the cancer has | | | | the prognosis, and the plan as set out by the patient |
| spread from another part of the body, treatment | | | | and his or her physician. |
| not only involves addressing the cancer in the lungs, | | | | In addition, there are complementary and alternative |
| but also the original cancer and any other areas of | | | | treatments. These can include everything from |
| the body that may have also become affected. In | | | | proper nutrition to pain management, from spiritual |
| some cases, if the primary tumor is successfully | | | | approaches to natural herbs and supplements. Of |
| removed and if the spread of the tumor cells to the | | | | course, such alternative plans will vary much the |
| pulmonary regions is relatively localized, then the | | | | same as traditional treatments, depending on the |
| management of the cancer by surgical techniques | | | | location and size of the tumor, the age and general |
| may do the job. However, if the metastatic lung | | | | health of the patient, and other factors. |
| cancer is extensive, because so many areas of the | | | | Metastatic lung cancer is certainly more challenging to |
| body may be under the influence of the cancer, | | | | overcome than other forms of lung cancer because |
| certain treatments (such as surgery, and in many | | | | the fight against the cancerous cells is not confined |
| cases, radiation therapy as well) may prove | | | | to the lungs. And while a cure is unlikely in most |
| ineffective. Which leaves most patients with | | | | cases, in rare instances (usually when the primary |
| chemotherapy as the primary treatment of choice. | | | | tumor has been removed and the spread of the |
| Chemotherapy often uses a combination of drugs | | | | cancer has been limited), the lung metastases can be |
| (often referred to as "anti-cancer" drugs) to kill | | | | removed surgically, with a prognosis of long-term |
| cancer cells, though a single drug may be used as | | | | survival. |
| well. While the aim of these drugs is to stop | | | | Please note that the information provided in this |
| cancerous cells from multiplying, they also can | | | | article is for information purposes only. It should not |
| damage healthy cells. This is what creates the side | | | | be used during a medical emergency or for the |
| effects that are often associated with | | | | diagnosis or treatment of lung cancer or metastatic |
| chemotherapy, such as the loss of hair, nausea and | | | | lung cancer. Such situations should always involve the |
| vomiting, and fatigue. The good news, however, is | | | | expertise of a physician or health care provider. |