Experimental Treatments for Lung Cancer
Because there is no standard treatment for lung cancer that is 100% effective, patients diagnosed with lung cancer may be offered the option of taking part in experimental trials of new treatments. There are several new therapies that are being seriously explored with medical trials in various studies, and the list of those therapies is a fluid one. The American Cancer Society official web site (www.cancer.org) has a tool to help you find experimental trials in which you may be able to participate, and the National Cancer Institute also maintains a listing of open and beginning clinical trials on their web site at www.cancer.gov.
There are several types of experimental treatments that may be open to new participants. They may involve testing new drugs or new combinations of drugs that may be more effective than treatments that are currently in use. They may involve immunotherapy, a type of treatment that attempts to stimulate the body's own immune system to fight the cancer through the use of vaccines. There are some therapies that test new theories arising from research into the causes and effects of lung cancer.
One experimental treatment for lung cancer is attracting a good deal of attention. Photodynamic therapy - PDT - is approved by the FDA for treatment of both early and late stage lung cancer, both small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer. PDT may be an option for those patients who are not candidates for traditional surgery because of the location of the cancerous cells. Essentially, PDT uses light - in the form of a laser - to destroy the cancerous cells in a tumor. The advantages to PDT include the fact that it works quickly - patients may feel the difference in as little as a few days - and that it can be used repeatedly to control the growth of small tumors that can't be completely removed by any other method. The side effects of PDT seem to be few. The major side effect is a sensitivity to strong light after the treatment which may last four to six weeks. PDT shows promise in treating a number of different types of cancer, but only an oncologist can determine if it is the best course of treatment for any particular patient.
At any time, there are literally hundreds of medical trials ongoing to research new possible treatments for lung cancer. Some focus on eradicating existing cancer, some on preventing recurrence after surgery or chemotherapy. Some are only focusing on one particular type of cancer cell, while others are being tested for their effectiveness in treating all types of lung cancer. If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with lung cancer, then you owe it to yourself and to them to be as conversant as possible with the newest treatments and possibilities. Becoming familiar with the tools to find clinical research trials and discussing the possibilities with your doctor may be one of the most important things that you do.
Lung Cancer - Overview
Lung Cancer is a type of cancer that forms in tissues of the lung, usually in the cells lining air passages. Many lung cancers begin in the bronchi though others can start in other parts of the lungs. Lung cancer also has a tendency to form in the glands below the bronchi.
Lung Cancer - Probabilities
Lung cancer causes up to 30% of all cancer related deaths, and it is the 2nd leading cause of death among both men and women in western society. 85% of all lung cancers are caused by a person's smoking habit or just by breathing in the second-hand smoke of others.
Lung Cancer - Screening
At this moment in time, there is no particularly useful single test that can be considered 100% reliable for the early detection of lung cancer. Unfortunately unless someone is undergoing a health screen for something completely unrelated, lung cancer is very often only discovered in the later stages of the disease when it is often too late to do anything but offer palliative treatment.
Lung Cancer - Symptoms
The most common indicators and symptoms of lung cancer include the following: Fatigue Shortness of breath and wheezing (dyspnoea) A cough that doesn't go away and gets worse over time Repeated problems with pneumonia or bronchitis Constant chest pain Coughing up blood (bloody sputum) (haemoptysis) Swelling of the neck and face Fever Loss of appetite and Weight loss (anorexia) Hoarse voice
Lung Cancer Treatment Options - Radiation
In many cases of lung cancer, surgery is not an option. This may be because of the advanced stage of the cancer, the location of the tumor or tumors, or because of the overall general health of the patient. In those cases, the oncologist may suggest radiation therapy to treat lung cancer. Even if surgery is an option, the doctor may suggest irradiation either before therapy to shrink the tumor or after surgery to destroy any remaining cancer cells.
Lung Cancer - Trends by Ethnicity, Sex and Race
In the USA and many other western countries, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death. Lung cancer has been found to be the leading cancer killer among Caucasians, African-Americans, Asians and Hispanic males.