Chemotherapy for lung cancer. How to treat lung cancer

Lung cancer is the most severe cancer, which is currently the leading cause of death in the world. The disease often affects the elderly, but it can be encountered at a young age. Cancer of the right lung is more common than the left one, mainly the tumor develops in the upper lobe.

Causes of the disease

Surprisingly, a hundred years ago this kind of oncology was considered very rare. However, the steadily growing number of smokers gave rise to an unprecedented surge in this form of cancer. Today, active promotion of healthy lifestyles is being carried out all over the world, but, despite this, smoking, and therefore the constant negative impact of tobacco smoke on the lungs, remain the main causes provoking the development of the disease. Influence on the appearance of lung cancer and carcinogens in polluted air, but to a much lesser extent, compared with tobacco smoke.

Diagnostic Features

Every year a huge number of people die from this form of oncology. Even in countries with the most developed health systems, it is not possible to effectively combat the aforementioned disease. The fact is that in the overwhelming majority of cases only lung cancer is detected in an inoperable stage: metastases spread to other organs do not give a chance to survive. The complexity of diagnosis is explained by the asymptomatic course of the disease, in addition, often the disease is taken for a very different pathology. And yet, competent specialists using a full range of modern diagnostic tools can detect a tumor at an early stage; In this case, the chances of recovery are significantly increased. A terrible illness needs to be treated in a complex way, and chemotherapy of the lungs is an integral part of such treatment. Let's talk about it in more detail.

What it is

Chemotherapy for lung cancer consists in the directed destruction of cancer cells with the help of antitumor drugs. It can be used alone or combined with radiation and surgical treatment. At 4 stages of lung cancer (metastases spread to other organs), chemotherapy can not be eliminated, but this method of treatment can be used to maximize the life of the patient. Much depends on the structure of the tumor. Thus, chemotherapy for small cell lung cancer is likely to be effective, since it is most sensitive to the effects of chemical drugs. But non-small cell carcinoma often manifests resistance to these drugs, so patients with this tumor structure often choose a different treatment.

Influence on the body

And chemotherapy of the lungs has one more regularity: the drugs used disastrously affect not only the short-lived and rapidly dividing cancer cells, but, unfortunately, also the healthy ones. At the same time, the digestive tract, blood, bone marrow, hair roots suffer the most. About the side effects that are unavoidable, when chemotherapy is administered, we'll talk a little later. Now let's talk about what drugs are usually used to kill a tumor.

Chemotherapy for lung cancer

With this treatment option, more than sixty kinds of drugs are used. The most common antineoplastic agents are cisplatin, gemcitabine, docetaxel, carboplatin, paclitaxel, vinorelbine. Often, medicines combine, for example, the combined use of paclitaxel and carboplatin, cisplatin and vinorelbine, and so on. Chemotherapy for the lung can be done by taking medication inside or intravenously. Most often, drugs are administered by a drip. The oncologist selects the dosing for each patient individually, proceeding from the stage of tumor development and its structure. After taking a course of chemotherapy, a break is taken in treatment for two to three weeks so that the body can recover. The courses are conducted as much as planned, but each time the drugs are changed, because the cancer cells very quickly and easily adapt to the toxins that affect them. Chemotherapy for lung cancer is also accompanied by treatment aimed at reducing side effects.

Complications

As already mentioned, along with the benefits that the body derives from the use of chemicals (by destroying and slowing down the proliferation of cancer cells), it also causes harm. Even after the first course of treatment, patients begin to experience difficulties: they have diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, a feeling of extreme fatigue, mouth ulcers may appear. Hair after chemotherapy is rapidly falling out, so many have no choice but to shave their heads. Then symptoms of oppression hemopoiesis develop: hemoglobin and the number of leukocytes decrease, neuropathy appears, and secondary infections also join. Such side effects in patients often cause severe depression, which worsens the quality of treatment, so now doctors actively use various methods to alleviate the condition of patients. For example, to prevent nausea, use strong antiemetic medications, and to avoid hair loss, they are cooled, before putting a dropper.

Nutrition during such treatment

When chemotherapy is performed for lung cancer, a special diet should be observed. A special diet for cancer patients is not provided, but it is indicated to eat foods rich in vitamins and improving the work of the intestines. It is necessary to include as much vegetables and fruits as possible in the diet (they can be eaten both fresh and boiled, baked, in salads prepared for steaming) and freshly squeezed juices. All this will be an excellent source of energy for the patient. In addition, you need to eat foods that contain protein (chicken, fish, cottage cheese, meat, eggs, legumes, nuts, seafood) and carbohydrates (potatoes, rice, cereals, pasta). Yoghurts, milk desserts, sweet cream, various cheeses are also welcome. Refuse during the implementation of chemotherapy should be from fatty and spicy foods, onions, garlic, spices. It is very important to drink plenty of water, especially on the days of taking chemical preparations, because the liquid helps to remove toxins from the body. With such treatment, patients have a perception of odors and flavors, so there may be no appetite, but you can not starve in any case, you need to eat often and in small portions. It should be remembered that nutrition is part of the healing process, because food provides strength for recovery.

How to reschedule chemotherapy is easier

During chemotherapy procedures, the use of grape or apple juice helps to overcome the attack of nausea, while drinking carbonated water at such times is strictly prohibited. After eating, it is recommended that you stay for a few hours in a sitting position, do not go to bed, as this causes nausea. Chemotherapy for lung cancer will give the best results if the patient is in such a period to receive a maximum of positive emotions, this is almost the main condition for a successful recovery. Conversations with family and friends, reading funny books, watching entertainment programs will help overcome negative effects. The patient also needs to take milk bacteria, for this purpose such active complexes as "Bifidofilus" or "Floradofilus" are suitable, due to their intake, hair loss can be stopped. After the course of treatment, the drug "Liver 48" is prescribed, it contributes to the restoration of the liver and increase of hemoglobin.

Results of treatment

The effectiveness of chemotherapy for lung cancer will be higher the earlier the disease was detected. Much depends also on the characteristics of the body, the qualifications of the treating doctors, the equipment of the cancer center where treatment is performed. Many patients associate the effectiveness of chemotherapy with the severity of side effects, but this is fundamentally wrong. Modern oncology pays much attention to combating the complications of this treatment, and still the adverse effects of chemotherapy are very many. But do not forget that they are all temporary, and soon disappear, and in order to subsequently be a healthy and happy person, you can endure any difficulties!