Lung Cancer
In lung cancer, uncontrolled and abnormal cell grow invading and destroying normal lung tissue. Once these abnormal cells accumulate they are called a tumor. As a tumor increases in size, it impairs lung function, resulting in breathing difficulty and decreased oxygen in the blood. Some cancer cells may also break away from the original tumor causing new tumor growth in other parts of the body, a process called metastasis. Ninety percent of lung cancer cases are caused by cigarette, pipe or cigar smoking.
There are two main types of lung cancer: small cell and non-small cell. Each type grows and spreads in different ways and is treated differently. Common lung cancer symptoms include:
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Persistent cough
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Chest pain
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Coughing up blood
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Shortness of breath
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Weight loss
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Fatigue
At Clemenceau Medical Center, management of the patient with lung cancer involves collaboration among pulmonary specialists (lung specialists), pathologists (tissue diagnostic specialists), medical oncologists (cancer treatment specialists), thoracic (chest) surgeons, and pain management experts.
The pulmonary specialist plays a key role in the management of patients with lung cancer. They perform some of the procedures required for accurate diagnosis and staging (bronchoscopy, thoracocenthesis…). They also perform the crucial task of patient assessment prior to treatment with medication, radiation therapy or surgery. Key information about patient status and lung function is used to tailor the most appropriate therapy that slows or stops the cancer but that also improves the patient’s quality of life.
Clemenceau Medical Center puts at the disposition of the pulmonary specialist a spectrum of latest and state of the art diagnostic tools; from imaging techniques such as Chest x-ray, CT scan, Pet CT Scan, and scintigraphy, to bronchoscopy and complete lung function testing.
Patients have access to a screening procedure known as low-dose spiral CT scanning. This imaging technology has shown promise for identifying potentially malignant (cancerous) tissue much earlier in its development than an X-ray can provide. An "earlier" diagnosis may improve the chances of successfully managing or curing the cancer.
The primary goal of cancer treatment is to rid the body of the cancerous cells and to prevent regrowth of new cancer cells. Surgery, radiation therapy (or radiotherapy) and chemotherapy are used to treat lung cancer. With chemotherapy, we target for attack the rapidly dividing cancer cells throughout the body.
Clemenceau Medical Center also offers interventional bronchoscopy where special techniques such a laser phototherapy and stent placement broaden the management of lung cancer.
Pain is a significant issue for people undergoing cancer treatment. Various cancer interventions, as well as the cancer itself, can cause pain. Effective pain management can help maintain or improve quality of life and even help reduce the risk of depression associated with pain.
Treatment of lung cancer can involve one or all of these interventions. Your chest physician will help educate you about the treatment choices and help develop a treatment plan tailored to your needs and lifestyle.