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 is IPF?
What is IPF? IPF (idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis) is a lung disease that causes the tissue in your lungs to become stiff. This makes it harder for you to take air in and breathe naturally. According to research, about 30,000 to 40,000 new cases of IPF are diagnosed each year in the U.S.
When lung function becomes severely limited, severe complications such as heart failure, pneumonia, pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lungs), or pulmonary hypertension can be triggered. Existing symptoms of the disease are also known to get more severe after an infection, heart failure, or a pulmonary embolism.
What Causes IPF?
The causes of IPF are mostly unknown, but in some cases, it is said to have resulted from infections, medications, environmental exposures, and even other diseases. Doctors may look at several potential causes when diagnosing pulmonary fibrosis, including:
- Pollution and toxins
- Existing conditions, such as acid reflux disease
- Medications
- Radiation therapy
- Genetic factors
Certain risk factors associated with IPF include:
- Age — it is more prevalent in people over 50 years of age
- Breathing in wood or metal dust at work or home
- Gender — about 75% of people diagnosed with IPF are men
- Smoking cigarettes
Common Symptoms Associated With IPF
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis causes scarring and stiffness in the lungs. The scarring usually worsens over time, while the stiffness makes it more difficult to breathe. The following are common symptoms that have been associated with the condition:
- Shortness of breath
- Chronic cough
- Weakness
- Leg swelling
- Loss of appetite
- Unexplainable fatigue
- Joint and muscle aches
- Weight loss
- Chest pain or tightness
Over time, the lungs may not be able to take in enough oxygen to supply the body with the required amount. This can ultimately lead to respiratory failure, heart failure, and other health issues.
How is IPF Diagnosed?
It's usually difficult to diagnose immediately because its signs and symptoms develop slowly over time. It might also be tricky to differentiate it from other lung diseases because the scarring caused by IPF looks similar to scarring caused by other lung diseases. However, several tests can be used to diagnose IPF, including:
- Chest x-ray
- Lung function tests
- Arterial blood gas test
- Exercise testing
- Lung biopsy
- Pulse oximetry
- High-resolution computer tomography (HRCT) scan
Treatment Options for IPF
There is currently no cure, but treatment options are available to manage and reduce your symptoms. The medical treatment given for IPF aims to reduce lung inflammation, protect lung tissue, and slow down the loss of lung function.
Common treatment options include medications that help control inflammation and reduce lung tissue scarring and oxygen therapy to help with breathing. There might be a need for a lung transplant in some cases, but this is often seen as a final treatment step.
Although there is currently no cure for IPF, certain treatments may help slow the progression of IPF and improve quality of life.
Treatment options are usually based on the stage and may include:
- Kinase inhibitors. This type of medication can help slow down the loss of lung function and may prevent IPF from getting worse.
- Antacids. These help treat GERD if people also have this condition.
- Oxygen therapy. Initially, a person may need this therapy after exertion. In the later stages of IPF, they may need it continually.
- Ventilator support. A person may need this support if their breathing problems become severe.
- Lung transplant. This surgery may be necessary for people with advanced IPF.
Other forms of treatment depend on the person’s symptoms and will vary between patients. For example, if a person has developed a lung infection, they may require antibiotics. For chronic cough, they may take oral codeine.
Pulmonary rehabilitation may also be a part of their treatment plan. This program may involve:
- Breathing exercises
- Physical activity to strengthen the body
- Counseling
- Nutritional advice
- Education on IPF and how to manage the condition
Lifestyle Changes to Help Manage IPF
To help manage this, it is important you learn to adopt healthy lifestyle practices that can reduce symptoms and improve your outlook. The following lifestyle changes can help you manage symptoms:
- Stopping smoking and vaping, if you currently do
- Taking necessary vaccines, medications, and vitamins or supplements
- Attending regular check-ups
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Eating healthy to support heart and lung health
- Avoiding substances that can irritate the lungs, such as chemicals and dust
- Staying physically active and keeping up regular, moderate exercise
- Joining support groups for counseling
- Avoiding environments that may make breathing more difficult
- Using an oxygen monitor to keep your oxygen saturation in an optimal range
- Keeping track of symptoms and letting your doctor know if they worsen