What is the treatment for lung cancer?

Written by Gong Chun
Oncology
Updated on September 24, 2024
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Treatment for lung cancer should be based on the pathological staging, the pathology type, the biological behavior of the lung cancer, and individualization, taking into account the patient's cardiopulmonary function and overall systemic condition to develop a personalized treatment plan. For non-small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer, the treatment approaches differ significantly. Therefore, it is advisable for patients to seek treatment at specialized hospitals, under the guidance of oncology specialists. Generally, treatment options for non-small cell lung cancer include surgical resection, adjunctive chemoradiation, neoadjuvant chemoradiation, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. For small cell lung cancer, a comprehensive treatment plan combining chemoradiation, along with prophylactic cranial irradiation and other aggressive treatments, is recommended. Each individual's situation might differ, so it is important to focus on a personalized comprehensive treatment plan rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.

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Written by Yuan Qing
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What should I do if lung cancer causes coughing up blood?

Lung cancer refers to a condition where, due to genetic mutations in human cells, cells grow disorderly or wildly, forming a solid mass-like lesion primarily known as lung cancer. Due to the uneven growth of lung cancer, local necrosis can occur, leading to bleeding, making coughing up blood a very common clinical manifestation in lung cancer. The severity of coughing up blood is classified into mild, moderate, and severe. Generally, if a single instance of coughing up blood is less than five milliliters, it can be managed with Yunnan Baiyao. However, if the amount exceeds 100 milliliters, it is advisable to seek medical attention promptly to prevent life-threatening risks from massive hemoptysis. (The use of medications should be under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Gong Chun
Oncology
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How to detect early symptoms of lung cancer?

So, the early symptoms of lung cancer often include a cough, hemoptysis, difficulty breathing, and chest pain. However, these symptoms, particularly the irritating cough, typically appear after the tumor has grown in the larger bronchi; this is often mistaken for a cough following a cold, leading to misdiagnosis or delayed treatment. Therefore, if this type of irritating cough occurs, it is essential to seek medical attention promptly and to undergo chest X-ray or CT scan. Second, as the tumor continues to grow and affects the drainage of the bronchus, secondary lung infections may occur, often characterized by coughing up pus-like sputum, and an increase in the amount of sputum, which should also be noted. Third, a very common symptom is the presence of blood in the sputum, or streaks of blood, or intermittent minor hemoptysis, which must be taken seriously.

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Written by An Yong Peng
Pulmonology
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Is coughing severe in the early stages of lung cancer?

Patients with lung cancer in the early stages may experience severe coughing, mild coughing, or no coughing symptoms at all. Many early-stage lung cancer patients have lesions located near the periphery of the lungs that do not involve the airways or other significant structures, typically resulting in no clinical symptoms. By the time clinical symptoms appear, the patient may already be in the middle or late stages of lung cancer. Additionally, it is important to note that some patients with early-stage lung cancer may also experience coughing, which can range from severe to mild, and may include coughing up blood. Such symptoms are often seen in early-stage central lung cancer, which frequently presents with cough and blood in the sputum. Therefore, older patients with a long history of smoking who suddenly develop a cough or start coughing up blood should be highly vigilant and likely need to undergo chest CT scans, bronchoscopy, and other related examinations for evaluation.

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Written by Gong Chun
Oncology
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What department should lung cancer patients visit?

The first point is that lung cancer can be categorized as a respiratory system disease, so one could visit the respiratory department. However, the respiratory department is not specialized enough for lung cancer, so it is recommended to visit the oncology department instead. After all, lung cancer is a malignant tumor. Initially, one can visit the respiratory department, but once it is confirmed through biopsy that it is lung cancer, it is advised to seek specialized treatment in the oncology department, as it is a malignant tumor.

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Written by Liu Liang
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Dietary therapy for lung cancer

In the diet of lung cancer patients, Western medicine does not have the concept of "trigger foods" like Chinese medicine does. According to Western medicine, there are no specific dietary restrictions; the focus is on maintaining a balanced diet as usual, incorporating meat, proteins, vegetables, and fruits to ensure nutritional balance. Generally, lung cancer patients may experience coughing symptoms, so it is advisable to consume a light diet avoiding oily fried foods. Extremely spicy foods can provoke irritative coughing and worsen it, so they should be avoided, along with barbecued and pickled foods, and junk food. Other than that, the diet should be similar to a normal balanced diet. For patients undergoing chemotherapy, a high-protein diet is recommended, preferably consisting of steamed or stewed dishes. These can be combined with traditional Chinese medicinal herbs such as Astragalus, American ginseng, and Dong quai, which are known to boost energy and enhance resistance, thus aiding in dietary therapy to strengthen the patient's immunity.