Pathways to Healing Lung cancer starts in the lungs but can spread to other regions of the body. While there is no single cure, there are different treatment options that can be used. In this article, we will look at treatment options, as well as symptoms of lung cancer Roughly 1 in 16 Americans will be diagnosed with lung cancer. While smoking can increase the likelihood of getting a diagnosis, non-smokers are not exempt from this condition. There are many different causes of lung cancer, and people of all ages can be diagnosed. Unfortunately, there is no specific cure for lung cancer. Beating cancer is a little more complicated than taking a few pills or going to a doctor’s office. The disease is more serious and requires more intense intervention techniques. Different Lung Cancer Treatment Options Depending on the progression of the cancer and the patient's general health, a physician may recommend several treatment options. Know that with all treatment options, there is a risk of harsh side effects and a chance that the treatment does not work. Still, these are the best options when it comes to defeating lung cancer, with increased chances of success in cases of early detection. Treatments can be used in combination with one another, or as a standalone option depending on the particular case. Chemotherapy Chemotherapy has been one of the most common treatment options for a long time. It works by using strong chemicals that target rapidly dividing cells. When introduced into your body, chemotherapy drugs will attack all rapidly dividing cells. Unfortunately, these drugs cannot differentiate between cancer cells and healthy cells that just happen to be dividing. The side effects of such treatments can be unpleasant, but most reverse when the treatment ends or can be reduced during the treatment. Common side effects include: Nausea/vomiting. Hair loss. Mouth sores. Pain. Bowel disturbances (diarrhea/ constipation). Loss of appetite. Bruising easily. [youmaylike] Harsher and potentially permanent side effects include: Organ damage (heart, lung, kidneys). Nerve damage. Infertility. Heightened risk of a second cancer. Side effects will also vary depending on the type of drug that is used in your treatment and the way you “take in” the drug. The most common chemotherapy drugs for lung cancer include the following: Afatinib. Bevacizumab. Ceritinib. Crizotinib. Erlotinib. Chemotherapy for lung cancer can be done in the following ways: Injected: Most often this is administered through infusions (IV) but can be given through shots. Implanted: Thin wafers containing the drug can be inserted directly into the site of a tumor or surgery. Pills: Pills and capsules containing the drug are sometimes available. Radiation Radiation is another treatment method. Radiation therapy uses beams of energy to damage cells in targeted regions of the body. The intense energy beams aim at precise locations in the body and damage the cells in that region. While this, unfortunately, means that healthy cells will also be attacked, they are often able to “bounce back” from the damage where cancer cells will be killed. As it is a targeted treatment, side effects are often limited to the region in which the treatment was applied. This means that patients can expect skin problems in the area of application as well as fatigue; these are mostly short-term side effects. Specific side effects characterized by treatments aimed at the chest include: Breast soreness. Stiff shoulders. Difficulties swallowing. Respiratory problems. Radiation fibrosis (permanent lung scarring). There is a low chance of developing long-term side effects, such as the development of a second cancer, as an effect of radiation exposure. Surgery If the cancer is caught early enough, then it can be treated by removing the cancerous tissue at the initial site. The operation can only be successful if the cancer has not yet spread to other regions of the body. The side effects of this treatment will depend on the depth of the removal, the nature of the removed tissue, and its size. For example, removing a tiny bit of the lung will not be as hard to recover from as removing a large piece. Other Lung Cancer Treatment Options Other treatments are being developed that aim to keep the effectiveness of chemotherapy and radiation treatments without the harsh side effects. While some remain experimental, recently emerging treatments, such as immunotherapy, offer the potential to battle lung cancer. Talk to a licensed care physician to get the most valuable recommendations on which cancer treatment is right for you. Everybody has a different experience and treatments are decided on a case-by-case basis.
What Are the Signs of stomach Cancer?
Stomach cancer poses a scary situation. After all, your stomach is responsible for breaking down the food you eat, allowing your body to gain essential energy and nutrients to function normally.
About 26,000 people are diagnosed with stomach cancer — also known as gastric cancer — in the U.S. each year. Accounting for 1.5% of all cancer diagnosis, this type of cancer frequently impacts older individuals, with the average age of a stomach cancer diagnosis being 68. So, you may wonder, “What are the signs of stomach cancer?”
In this article, we are going to examine what stomach cancer is, the top signs of stomach cancer, treatment, prevention and more.
Top 5 Signs of Stomach Cancer
So, let’s answer, “What are the signs of stomach cancer?” It can be hard for individuals to determine that certain signs are indicative of stomach cancer. This is because many of the symptoms are associated with other gastrointestinal conditions, including gastritis and the flu.
Unfortunately, this often means that stomach cancer is not found until it is too late. However, if at any point you or someone you love has ongoing stomach issues, especially if they are elderly, it is important to consider screening for this type of cancer to improve the odds of making a full recovery.
Here are some of the common signs of stomach cancer:
1. Weight Loss (Without Explanation)
While someone with stomach cancer may experience a loss of appetite, weight loss without trying is a sure-fire sign that something is not right. This clearly indicates that something is wrong with the digestion and absorption process, potentially signaling that cancerous tissue is involved.
At the same time, it is important to note that unexplained weight loss can also happen due to a range of other conditions, including psychological stress.
2. Lump and Pain in the Stomach
As the cancer grows, you may notice a firm lump on your stomach, as well as pain associated with this lump. At the end of the day, any abdominal pain should be taken seriously, especially if it doesn’t dissipate with time or rest.
This pain may also start as vague discomfort just above the navel, which gets worse as time goes on.
3. Nausea or Vomiting
Again, many of the symptoms on this list are also the same as those associated with the stomach flu. However, indigestion, including nausea, vomiting and gas, is another sign of stomach cancer, especially if it is associated with other symptoms on this list.
Vomiting may also occur with or without blood, depending on the severity of stomach cancer a person is experiencing.
4. Heartburn or Acid Reflux
Heartburn after eating can also indicate stomach cancer, yet it is also important to note that heartburn may also be issues with your heart mistaken for indigestion. Thus, this sign alone does not necessarily mean you have stomach cancer. A proper diagnosis made by your doctor or a specialist can determine what is really going on.
5. Feeling Full Quickly After Eating
If this commonly occurs, even after a small meal, this could mean you have stomach cancer. This is because the cancerous tissue is not only interfering with the stomach’s function, but also taking up room within this organ, which may send conflicting signals to your brain and vice versa.
Stomach Cancer Treatment
Treatment for stomach cancer depends on the stage of stomach cancer, where the tumor is located, whether or not the cancer has spread and your general overall health.
Typically, a combination of chemotherapy and surgery are used to get this type of cancer under control. In other cases, radiotherapy and other medications may also be used to control or manage symptoms.
Can You Prevent It?
While you cannot prevent cancer, you can reduce your risk by maintaining a healthy lifestyle. This includes:
- Maintaining a healthy weight.
- Consuming a nutrient-rich diet containing mostly whole foods.
- Regular exercise.
- Limiting alcohol consumption.
- Avoiding drug use.
- Eating a diet with plenty of fruits and veggies.
- Not smoking/quitting smoking.
- Treating any stomach or gastrointestinal infections.
The American Cancer Society also indicates that using aspirin may lower the risk of stomach cancer. However, it is important to note that these types of medications can also cause internal gastrointestinal bleeding with long-term use.
In particular, when it comes to treating stomach or gastrointestinal infections, the quick treatment of H. pylori may reduce the risk of developing stomach cancer later on by reducing any pre-cancerous lesions in the stomach.
If you have been diagnosed with an incurable form of stomach cancer, the goal of treatment will be to make you comfortable and reduce symptoms as much as possible. It’s also essential to seek out support from your loved ones and professionals. A cancer diagnosis can be incredibly difficult, especially without a good support network. In some towns and cities, you may also find joining a support group and connecting with others going through similar situations can help you cope.