Is atelectasis necessarily lung cancer?

If cancer has been diagnosed, the doctor will know the stage (or degree) of lung cancer. Staging is to find out whether the cancer has spread, and if so, to which part of the body. Lung cancer often spreads to the brain or bones. Understanding the stages of cancer can help doctors make treatment plans. The following tests are used to determine whether the cancer has spread, including:

Computerized tomography: It is a computer with an X-ray machine, which is used for examination and can display a series of detailed photos of the inside of the body.

Magnetic resonance photography (image): A powerful magnetic field is used with a computer to produce detailed photos of the inside of the body.

Nuclear medicine scan: This scan can show whether cancer cells have spread to other organs, such as the liver. The patient must swallow or receive a small amount of radioactive material injection. Then the machine (scanner) measures and records the radioactivity of specific organs and displays abnormal parts.

Bone scan: Bone scan is also a nuclear medicine scan, which can show whether cancer has invaded bones. It will inject a small amount of radioactive material into the blood. It is usually concentrated in areas where abnormal bone growth occurs. The radioactivity of these parts was measured with a scanner and then recorded on the X-ray.

Mediastinoscopy/mediastinotomy: Mediastinoscopy can show whether the tumor has invaded the lymph nodes in the chest. Doctors use an endoscope with a light source to examine the central part of the chest cavity (mediastinum) and nearby lymph nodes. Mediastinal endoscopy is to make a small incision in the neck and insert the endoscope. Mediastinotomy is a small incision in the chest. Both of these examinations, including the use of endoscopes, require tissue samples. Patients undergoing this examination must receive general anesthesia.

Treatment of lung cancer

The treatment of lung cancer depends on many factors, including the type of lung cancer (non-small cell lung cancer or small cell lung cancer), the stage of the disease and the overall health status of the patient. Many different treatments and combinations of treatments are used to treat lung cancer.

Surgery: remove cancer cells by surgery. Surgeons decide the type of operation according to the location of lung cancer. Including:

Segmentectomy or wedge resection: only a small part of the lung is removed.

Lobectomy: Removal of the entire lung.

Pneumonectomy: Removal of one lung.

Some tumors are inoperable because of their size or location. Some patients are unable to operate because of other medical diseases.

Chemotherapy: it is to kill cancer cells all over the body with anticancer drugs. Even though the cancer has been removed from the lungs, there are still cancer cells in nearby tissues or other parts of the body. Chemotherapy can be used to control the growth of cancer cells or relieve symptoms. Most anticancer drugs are intravenous injection, and some are oral; In addition, a small catheter was implanted in the great vein for long-term intravenous chemotherapy.

Radiotherapy: usually called radiotherapy or electrotherapy, it uses high-energy radiation to kill cancer cells. Radiotherapy is only a local treatment, so it only affects cancer cells in this area. Radiotherapy can be used to shrink the tumor before operation or destroy the residual cancer cells in the treatment area after operation. Doctors sometimes combine radiotherapy and chemotherapy as the main treatment to replace surgery. Radiotherapy is also used to relieve symptoms such as shortness of breath.

Most of the radiation used to treat lung cancer comes from machinery and equipment (in vitro radiation); Sometimes, implants (small radioactive substance containers) can be directly implanted into tumors or their vicinity for treatment (in vivo radiation).

Photomechanical therapy: injecting a chemical into the blood and being absorbed by cells. These chemicals will leave normal cells quickly, but will stay in cancer cells for a long time. Then the laser beam is aimed at the cancer, activating the chemicals absorbed by the cancer cells and killing the cancer cells. Photomechanical therapy is mainly used for local lung cancer. Sometimes it is also used in some cases of extensive invasion, where other organs are controlled by symptoms when tumors are compressed, or patients are too weak to receive other treatments.

Clinical trials are to evaluate new cancer treatment methods, and many lung cancer patients will be advised to participate in clinical trials. In some experiments, all patients received new treatment, while in other experiments, in order to compare the treatment effect, doctors asked a group of patients to receive new treatment and a group of patients to receive traditional (standard) treatment. Through research, doctors have learned new and more effective methods to treat cancer.

Treatment of non-small cell lung cancer

Non-small cell lung cancer can be treated in many ways. The choice of treatment mainly depends on the degree of the disease. Surgery is the most important method to treat this kind of lung cancer. Cryopreservation is a therapeutic method to destroy cancer tissue by freezing, which can be used to control the symptoms of advanced non-small cell lung cancer. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy can be used to slow down the progress of the disease and control the symptoms.

Treatment of small cell lung cancer

Small cell lung cancer spreads very quickly. In many cases, when the disease is diagnosed, cancer cells have spread to other parts of the body. In order to treat cancer cells all over the body, most doctors use chemotherapy. Radiotherapy is used to treat lung tumors or metastases to other parts (such as the brain). Some patients underwent brain radiotherapy before the tumor appeared in the brain, which is called preventive cranial radiotherapy (PCI). Surgery is only used in the treatment plan of a few patients with small cell lung cancer.

Side effects of cancer treatment

The side effects of cancer treatment vary from person to person due to different treatment methods. Doctors and nurses will explain the possible side effects caused by treatment and suggest several ways to alleviate the side effects caused by these treatments.

Lung cancer surgery is a major operation. After lung surgery, air and liquid easily accumulate in the chest cavity. Patients usually need help turning over, coughing and breathing deeply. These activities are important for recovery, because they can help expand the remaining lung tissue and remove excess air and fluid. Chest pain or arm fatigue and shortness of breath are common side effects of lung surgery. It may take weeks or months for the patient to return to his previous physical condition.

Chemotherapy has the same effect on normal cells as on cancer cells. Most side effects depend on different administration methods and doses. Common side effects of chemotherapy include nausea, vomiting, alopecia, oral pain and fatigue.

Radiotherapy is similar to chemotherapy, and its effect on normal cells is the same as that on cancer cells. The side effects of radiotherapy mainly depend on the body part treated and the dose treated. The common side effects of radiotherapy are dry throat, pain, dysphagia, fatigue, skin changes in the irradiated area and loss of appetite. Patients exposed to radiation in the head may have headaches, skin changes, fatigue, nausea and vomiting, hair loss or problems in memory and thinking process, and most of the side effects will gradually disappear.

At present, doctors have been able to control, reduce or avoid many side effects of treatment through the accumulation of clinical experience.

The importance of tracking

Follow-up after lung cancer treatment is very important. Routine examination can really discover the change of health status, and if cancer recurs or produces new cancer cells, it can be treated in the fastest time. Examination includes physical examination, chest X-ray photography or laboratory examination. Between regular follow-up clinics, lung cancer patients should tell their doctors as soon as possible if they have health problems.

Provide psychological support

Suffering from serious diseases such as cancer is a challenge. In addition to physical and medical challenges, cancer patients also need to face many troubles, feelings and worries, which makes life more difficult. They find that they need help not only to face the disease itself, but also to face emotional problems. In fact, paying attention to patients' emotional and mental burdens is part of the treatment plan. The support of these health care groups (such as doctors, nurses and social workers), support groups and patient groups can help them reduce their sense of isolation, sadness and worry and improve their quality of life. Cancer support groups can provide a safe environment for cancer patients to talk about cancer and their possible similar experiences. Patients may wish to discuss with their health care team how to join a support group. Please contact the community health department of our hospital for relevant information.

Ask the doctor questions.

Most cancer patients want to know their own diseases and treatment methods related to diseases, so they will actively participate in deciding their own treatment plans. Often they will list some questions and ask the doctor. Patients will record it, and if the doctor allows, some patients will record their discussions with the doctor. Some patients invite family or friends to discuss, take notes, or just help listen.

Patients may ask the following questions:

diagnose

What examination can diagnose lung cancer? Is it painful?

How soon can I know the test results?

What kind of lung cancer do I belong to?

treat cordially

What kind of treatment do you suggest I use?

What clinical trials are suitable for my cancer?

Do I need to be hospitalized? How long will it take?

How much will my normal activity change during the treatment?

side effect

What side effects may I have? How long will it disappear?

If I am worried about my side effects, who should I ask?

Find; to find out

After treatment, how long do I need to come back for re-examination? What kind of follow-up treatment and care do I need?

Can I finally get back to normal activities?

Health care team

Who will participate in my treatment and rehabilitation? What role do they play in nursing?

What's your experience in caring for lung cancer patients?

resources

Are there any members of support groups in that area who can exchange experiences?

Where can I get more information about cancer, especially lung cancer?

vocabulary

X-ray: It is a kind of high-energy radiation. Low dose is used to diagnose diseases and high dose is used to treat cancer.

Large cell carcinoma: a type of lung cancer, with large cells and abnormal appearance.

Small cell lung cancer: it is a kind of lung cancer composed of small and round cells, also known as oat cell lung cancer.

Slice: Take tissue samples and examine whether there are cancer cells with a microscope.

Excision: Surgical removal of certain organs.

Chemotherapy: treatment with anticancer drugs.

Bronchitis: Bronchial inflammation (redness and swelling).

Bronchoscope: a flexible and bright inspection tool, which can be used to check the passage of air such as trachea and bronchus into the lungs.

Bronchoscopy: Examination that allows doctors to examine the respiratory tract through a tube with a light source.

Asbestos: A mineral in nature, consisting of tiny fibers. If people inhale it into the lungs, it will deposit in the lungs and easily lead to cancer.

Photodynamic therapy: it is a treatment method that uses laser and photosensitive drugs to destroy cancer cells.

Pneumonectomy: It is an operation to completely remove one lung.

Cryopreservation: a treatment method that can freeze and destroy abnormal tissues with instruments.

Benign: not cancer; Will not destroy adjacent tissues or spread quickly to other parts of the body.

Respiratory system: respiratory organs include nose, throat, pharynx, trachea, bronchus and lungs.

Radiotherapy: It is a therapeutic method that uses high-energy radiation to kill cancer cells. This kind of radiation may come from outside the body (external radiotherapy) or directly place radioactive substances at the tumor in the body (implantable radiotherapy).

Pneumonia: It is an infection caused by the accumulation of lung secretions and cells.

Lobectomy: To remove a lobe.

Non-small cell lung cancer: it is a kind of lung cancer mainly caused by long-term exposure to smoking and radon. Non-small cell carcinoma can be divided into squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma and large cell carcinoma according to its cell type.

Carcinogen: Any substance that may cause cancer.

Radon: A radioactive gas released by uranium and found in soil or rocks. When we inhale too much radon, it may destroy lung cells and lead to cancer.

Magnetic resonance photography (image): it combines magnetic changes with computers to produce detailed pictures of the inside of the body.

Pathologist: A doctor who studies cells and tissues under a microscope to identify diseases.

Thoracic puncture: a therapeutic method to remove pleural effusion with a needle.

Thoracotomy: An operation to cut the chest.

Side effects: refer to the problems that affect health after treatment. The common side effects of general cancer treatment are fatigue, nausea, vomiting, decreased blood cell count, alopecia and oral ulcer.

Lymphatic system: This tissue and organ can produce, store and carry white blood cells that can resist infection and disease. This system includes bone marrow, spleen, thymus, lymph nodes and reticular tubules that provide lymph and white blood cell circulation. These pipes are distributed in various tissues of the body like blood vessels.

Tissue: a group or layer of cells that perform a specific function.

Malignant: cancer; It can invade and destroy adjacent tissues or quickly spread to other parts of the body.

Sputum: mucus from the lungs.

Tumor: Abnormal tissue mass produced by excessive cell division. Tumors usually have no special function, and may be benign or malignant.

Adenocarcinoma: an organ epithelium in the body.

Leaf: refers to a part of the liver, lung, chest or brain.

Computed Tomography: Connecting a computer with an X-ray machine can present a series of detailed images in the body, which is also called Computed Tomography.

Preventive brain radiotherapy: it is a kind of head radiotherapy to prevent cancer cells from spreading to the brain.

Catheter: a tube placed in a blood vessel, which can provide a channel for the delivery of drugs or nutrients.

Oat cell carcinoma: a type of lung cancer that looks like oats under a microscope, which is also commonly known as small cell lung cancer.

Radiation: it will release radiation.

Intravenous injection: injected into a vein.

Mediastinal cavity: located between the lungs, including the heart, aorta and veins, trachea, esophagus, bronchus, lymph nodes and other organs.

Mediastinotomy: the doctor makes a small incision beside the sternum of the chest, and then inserts an endoscope to examine the organs in the central mediastinum of the chest.

Mediastinoscopy: The doctor makes a small incision above the sternum of the chest, and then inserts an endoscope to examine the organs in the mediastinum in the central part of the chest.

Clinical trial: it is a patient-oriented research plan. Each project aims to find better ways to prevent, detect, diagnose or treat cancer and solve scientific problems.

Metastasis: refers to the spread of cancer cells from one part of the body to another. Metastatic tumor cells are the same as the original tumor cells.

Epithelioid carcinoma: It is a kind of lung cancer. Its cell type is flat and looks like a fish scale, so it is also called squamous cell carcinoma.

Squamous cell carcinoma: cancer caused by squamous cells, which are thin and flat and resemble fish scales. Squamous cells usually constitute the skin surface.