LUNG CANCER: Malignant and uncontrolled cell growth of lung cells are known as lung cancer or lung carcinoma. With the process of metastasis, it transfers into different body parts. Its major symptoms include coughing, shortness of breath, chest pain.
They are mainly of two types: Small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) and non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC).
Small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) - Type of malignant cancer that has a higher doubling time than NSCLC.
Non-small cell lung carcinoma - This is responsible for 85% of lung cancer. These are insensitive to chemotherapy.
WHAT IS SMALL CELL LUNG CANCER:
It commonly arises in the lungs but can also be found at different body sites such as GI tract, cervix, prostate. This type of lung cancer grows quite fast as it has a shorter doubling time, early development of metastasis, high growth fraction as compared to non-small cell lung carcinoma.
SCLC narrows the bronchial airways leading to symptoms like cough, weight loss, debility, dyspnea. The small cell carcinoma along with these symptoms also produce an ectopic hormone, adrenocorticotropic and antidiuretic hormone (ADH) in sufficient quantity.
RISK FACTORS AND PREVENTION:
There are numerous risk factors associated with the increased likelihood of developing Small Cell Lung Cancer:
● Current or past history of smoking tobacco products such as cigarettes, cigars, or pipes.
● Exposure to the secondhand smoke.
● Use of beta carotene supplements while being a heavy smoker.
● Family history of the lung cancer
● Exposure to the asbestos, nickel, arsenic, chromium, tar, or radon gas or soot.
● Being infected with HIV
● Residing in such areas, where high air pollutant levels exists
It is necessary to note that having one or more risk factors mentioned above does not guarantee in order to develop Small Cell Lung Cancer.
TYPES OF SMALL CELL LUNG CANCER (SCLCL):
Small cell lung cancer is basically divided into two stages, including Limited stage (LS) and Extensive Stage (ES). If the tumor is limited to one lung and lymph node then this is called Limited Stage (LS) and if a tumor spreads beyond that, then it is Extensive Stage (ES).
In the case of LS-SCLC, chemotherapy is combined with chest radiotherapy (RT). And, in the case of ES-SCLC, platinum-based chemotherapy is used and radiotherapy is only used when the condition is worsening.
BEST LUNG CANCER TREATMENT:
As most of the lung cancer are malignant so the effective treatment includes:
Surgery - In Surgery, the entire tumor is removed. It is rarely used in stage 3b or 4NSCLC.
Chemotherapy - Chemotherapy is used either before the surgery to shrink the tumor or after the surgery to remove any cancerous cell left.
Targeted therapy - Drugs are used in this Targeted therapy that is used to inhibit the protein synthesis of cancerous cells.
Immunotherapy - Immune system is activated to fight against cancer.
Radiation - Radiotherapy leads to 13-39% patient survival to 5 years.
GEFITINIB 250MG TABLETS: Gefitinib 250 mg is basically used for the treatment of metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). It is a kinase inhibitor drug targeted therapy.
This drug targets the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor(EGFR). The concentration of 250mg is considered best in the case of lung cancer.
ERLOTINIB TABLETS: This drug Erlotinib 150 mg is most preferred in the advanced stage of cancer. It is highly recommended to the patient suffering from non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). It belongs to the tyrosine kinase inhibitors class that blocks the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) of cancerous cells.
This medicine is only given to a person above the age of 18 years.
LOOKING AFTER YOUR HEALTH:
Once you end up with the treatment for NSCLC, you might feel exhausted and emotional. It is necessary to take good care of yourself and get the proper support that you require.
Stop smoking: For smokers, it is necessary to avoid smoking right away, as it can reduce the risk of the disease recurrence. Your healthcare provider can offer help with interrupting the smoking.
Take sufficient rest when you require it: Provide your body appropriate time in order to recover and make sure that you rest as much as you can. Complementary therapies, for instance aromatherapy can help you to feel relaxed and cope a quite better with the side effects. Your hospital can recommend complementary therapy; interact with your healthcare provider for details.
Eat healthy and keep active: Eating a healthy diet and keeping yourself active can help improve fitness. It is crucial to initiate slowly, with gentle and moderate walking, and build up as you start in order to feel quite better.
The following recommendations form a good foundation in order to get healthy lifestyle after cancer:
● Don’t smoke.
● Avoid second-hand smoke.
● Exercise regularly.
● Avoid weight gain.
● Eat a healthy diet.
● Drink alcohol in moderation.
● Stay in touch with family, friends and other cancer survivors.
● Attend regular check-ups as well as screening tests.
Read:- How lung cancer is treated.