Know More About Lung cancer
Lung cancer is cancer occurring in the two spongy organs of the body called as lungs. A person inhales oxygen and exhales carbon dioxide with the help of these spongy organs. Cancer initiates when cells in the body begin to grow out of control.
Lung Cancer Causes
Smoking causes the majority of lung cancers. People who smoke are at greater risk of developing lung cancer than nonsmokers. In some cases, lung cancer also occurs in people who do not smoke. The severity of lung cancer depends upon the duration of cigarette smoking. The risk increased with the increase in tobacco and consuming alcohol every day.
Doctors believe smoking causes lung cancer by damaging the cells lining the lungs. When you inhale cigarette smoke, which is full of cancer-causing substances (carcinogens), changes in the lung tissue begin almost immediately.
People exposed to cigarette smoke are called secondhand smokers. They are also at risk of developing lung cancer because they are exposed to the same cancer-causing agents as smokers but in smaller amounts.
Apart from this, aspects like family history, exposure to radiation, arsenic, asbestos, chromium, nickel in the workplace, and air pollution are some of the major reasons that lead to lung cancer development in the body.
Types of lung cancer
There are two types of lung cancer that are divided into based on the appearance of cancerous cells in the lungs.
Small cell lung cancer
About 10% to 15% of all lung cancers are small cell lung cancers, sometimes called oat cell cancer. Small cell lung cancer occurs in heavy smokers and is less common than non-small cell lung cancer.
This type of cancer tends to spread faster than non-small cell lung cancer. Therefore, it tends to respond well to radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
Non-small cell lung cancer
About 80% to 85% of lung cancers are non-small cells. Nonsmall cell lung cancers include some subtypes such as squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, and large cell carcinoma.
- Squamous cell carcinoma – Squamous cell carcinoma often occurs in the central region of the lung. The main cause of this type of cancer is tobacco smoking.
- Adenocarcinoma – Adenocarcinoma is the most common type of non-small cell lung cancer. Adenocarcinoma represents about 40% of all lung cancers. Adenocarcinoma usually develops in the periphery of the lungs. It is the most common type of lung cancer seen in people who don’t smoke. It is more common in women than in men, and it is more likely to occur in younger people than any other type of lung cancer.
- Large cell carcinoma – Large cell carcinoma can appear in any part of the lung. It tends to grow and spread quickly, which can make it harder to treat. A subtype of large cell carcinoma, known as large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma, is fast-growing cancer that is very similar to small cell lung cancer.
Signs and Symptoms of Lung Cancer
- Spontaneous cough
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Bleeding during coughing
- Weight loss
- Loss of appetite
- Bone pain
- Hoarseness
- Fatigue
- Difficulty in swallowing
- Wheezing
Lung Cancer Diagnosis
People with an increased risk of lung cancer are advised annual lung cancer screening using low-dose CT scans.
Following are the tests to diagnose lung cancer.
Imaging tests such as chest X-ray and chest ct scan. These help to get a look at the organs internally
Biopsy- During this procedure, a small piece of tissue is taken and thoroughly diagnosed in labs.
Sputum cytology- Sputum is taken and diagnosed under the microscope for cancer evaluation.
Medical history- This is done to ensure that no information is left out regarding the patient’s health, and the pathway for treatment is then designed in that manner.
Family history- It is important to know about family history as it helps to identify the causes of genetic diseases.
Physical examination
What could be the possible consequences of such treatments?
- Some of the side effects that might be experienced after cryosurgery include pleural effusion and pulmonary infection. These could be mild but interfere with the recovery phase.
- Laser Therapy can cause pain, infection, redness, bleeding, irritation, and risk of skin infection.
- The photodynamic theory leads to increasing the sensitivity to sunlight and other bright lights. Often, the patients can experience tingling, redness, and burning sensations. Other side effects may include dehydration, nausea, fever, etc.
- Some of the common symptoms that are observed after immunotherapy in patients are headache, cough, decreased appetite, localized rashes, itching, and others. Other issues can occur in the form of diarrhea, heart palpitations, fatigue, and weight gain through fluid accumulation.
Treatments of Lung Cancer
The treatments for lung cancer include:
Surgery
The most commonly performed lung surgery involves the removal of the lobe that is affected by an infection. Small cuts are made in the chest, and using various instruments and a microcamera, and the surgery is performed.
Chemotherapy
As the name suggests, chemo drugs are used in combination to treat the early stages of cancer. The drugs are injected or infused into a vein(IV). It is one of the primary treatments for curing the disease.
Radiation therapy
It uses high-energy beams like X-rays that hold great power and is effective at limiting tumor formation and its spread.
Immunotherapy
This treatment helps the body’s immune system to identify the cancer cells and destroy them. It is also known as biologic therapy boosts natural defense mechanisms of the body against cancer cells.
Laser therapy
This procedure uses a laser beam to kill cancer cells and help in limiting the tumor formation and spread.
Endoscopic stent placement
An endoscope is a thin, tube-like instrument used to look at tissues inside the body. It may be used to put in a device called a stent. The stent helps to open an airway that has been blocked by abnormal tissue.
Targeted therapy
It uses drugs or other substances that attack specific cancer cells with less harm to normal cells.
Photodynamic therapy
It uses medicine and a certain type of laser light to kill cancer cells
Cryosurgery
It uses an instrument to freeze and destroy abnormal tissue.
Electrocautery
It is a treatment that uses a probe or needle heated by an electric current to destroy abnormal tissue.
Why should you consider Ayurveda?
Ayurveda offers a wide range of preventive measures and cures for various diseases. There is a diversity of herbal formulations, inclusion of Yoga and panchakarma. The Ayurvedic treatments contribute to detoxification and cleansing in the human body. It focuses on the intake of ‘sattvic bhojan’ that ensures healthy eating and aids in rejuvenating the body.
It is also responsible for decreasing the side effects that the allopathic or modern forms of medicine may lead to. It enhances the quality of living and improves the lives of people. It motivates people to consume alkaline-rich and healthy foods. It may include green leafy vegetables, coconut water, and avoiding dairy products.
Why select Karma Ayurveda?
Karma Ayurveda has been providing quality services to treat the conditions of lung cancer. To improve the efficiency of the respiratory system, Ayurveda provides certain remedies like tulsi capsules, curcumin, vasaka capsules, panchakarma therapies, and various internal medications. Here, the professionals aim to provide you with world-class healthcare services and supreme quality treatment. Equipped with some of the finest herbs, Ayurveda has exhibited several positive results. In addition to this, it provides a speedy and healthy recovery to the patients.