How is lung cancer treated?

Written by Gong Chun
Oncology
Updated on September 22, 2024
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For the treatment of lung cancer, it should currently be based on a comprehensive treatment method tailored to the patient's age, specific condition, nutritional status, economic condition, and the capabilities available at the hospital. It is particularly related to the stage of the disease and the type identified in the tissue biopsy. Currently, lung cancer primarily adopts a multidisciplinary comprehensive treatment approach spearheaded by surgical intervention. Surgical treatment is the preferred method for lung cancer, but since it is a systemic disease, surgery alone cannot completely address the issue. Therefore, it must be combined with radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and other treatments in a multidisciplinary and comprehensive approach. Additionally, immunotherapy and targeted therapy are inseparable and crucial parts of integrated treatment strategies for lung cancer. If the disease is staged and involves adenocarcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma of the lung, surgical treatment is recommended followed by adjuvant radiotherapy or chemotherapy, or targeted and immunotherapy. If surgery is not possible, some supportive treatments can be considered. For small-cell lung cancer, surgery is not recommended because it offers no benefit; instead, a combined approach of chemotherapy and radiotherapy is advised.

Other Voices

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Written by An Yong Peng
Pulmonology
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What should I do about dry cough and wheezing caused by lung cancer?

Patients with lung cancer presenting with dry cough and wheezing often require treatment to suppress coughing, alleviate wheezing, and address the symptoms. It is also important to check if the patient has concurrent obstructive pneumonia. Lung cancer combined with obstructive pneumonia can also lead to dry cough and wheezing. In such cases, anti-infection treatment is needed, along with treatment specifically targeting lung cancer itself. Dry cough and wheezing in lung cancer often suggest that the cancer may be in the middle to late stages, where the chances of surgery are generally small. However, it is still necessary to complete relevant examinations to further assess the condition. If the patient is eligible for surgery, surgical treatment should be considered. If the patient is indeed in the middle to late stages of lung cancer and is not suitable for surgery, chemotherapeutic drugs are needed for treatment. Sometimes, targeted drugs can be chosen for treating advanced-stage non-small cell lung cancer. In cases of advanced non-small cell lung cancer with driver gene mutations, targeted therapy might even be the preferred treatment option.

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Written by Yang Feng
Pulmonology
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Symptoms of lung cancer transformation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Lung cancer is a complication of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but it is relatively less common for COPD patients to also have lung cancer. Regular health check-ups, including annual lung CT scans, can help identify the possibility of cancerous changes at an early stage. In the early stages of lung cancer, patients generally do not show obvious clinical symptoms. As the disease progresses, symptoms such as coughing up blood, weight loss, fatigue, and night sweats may occur. However, since the clinical symptoms of lung cancer are similar to other lung diseases, there are no typical clinical features, and imaging studies are needed for preliminary screening.

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Written by Yuan Qing
Pulmonology
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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 is lung cancer caused?

The specific causes of lung cancer are not completely clear, but there are some high-risk factors. Research has shown that lung cancer is influenced by a combination of genetic defects and internal and external environmental carcinogens. It is undeniable that long-term heavy smoking is the most important carcinogenic factor for lung cancer, with the amount and duration of smoking being positively correlated with the incidence of lung cancer. Secondly, environmental factors, such as working with asbestos or in mining areas, are also very relevant to the incidence of lung cancer. Thirdly, irregular eating habits, rest, alcohol consumption, indoor combustion, coal smoke, fumes from kitchen cooking, and carcinogenic substances released from indoor decorations and materials are also related. Fourthly, the body's internal immune status, metabolic abnormalities, genetic factors, and chronic lung infections also have a significant impact.

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Written by Hu Zhong Dong
Medical Oncology
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What foods should not be eaten with lung cancer?

Lung cancer patients definitely should not smoke. Many lung cancer cases are caused by smoking, and if a patient quits smoking after the onset of the disease, their prognosis is much better compared to those who continue smoking. Additionally, there is advice to avoid certain so-called trigger foods. For cancer patients, the recommended meats are fish and poultry. This recommendation is not really due to the issue of trigger foods but because fish and poultry are easier to digest and absorb. During cancer treatment, the tumor itself causes a significant breakdown of proteins in the body. Since proteins are a fundamental basis for bodily functions, without them, human survival would be nearly impossible. Therefore, it is essential to replenish proteins. The main sources of protein include meat, eggs, dairy products, soy products, and nuts, which are all crucial sources of protein.