Treatment for lung cancer

Wedge resection is one of the surgical options for non-small cell lung cancer. The cancer growth is confined and it has not spread in the beginning stages of lung cancer. Therefore removal of cancer cells from the affected region is more than enough. This surgical method involves removing the part of the lung (usually in the shape of wedge) which is affected by the cancer cells. The neighboring cells are also removed for safety. But the probability of recurrence of cancer is higher compared to other types of cancer surgery. The next growth need not be in lung itself. It can grow in any part of the body like lymph nodes, brain etc. The main disadvantage of this type of surgery is there is heavy loss of blood after surgery which makes the patient anemic. Chest tube is used for breathing after the surgery for few days. To recover fast a week long hospital stay is needed. The chest tube is removed once the lung is expanded. Patients are advised not to lift any heavy objects for 10 weeks. Then they can return to their work. Revitalization rate varies from patient to patient.

Thoractomy is a type of traditional surgery that is used to spot or remove the lung cancer. This surgery is performed by making an opening on the chest of the lung cancer patient. After that any other type of surgery like wedge resection (removal of affected area) or lobectomy (removal of lobes) or pneumonectomy (removal of entire lung) is done. This type of surgery is mainly done for beginning stage of non-small cell lung cancer and sometimes for small cell lung cancer too. The incision involves making a cut in patient’s chest and the ribs are made to spread so that the oncologist can have a clear view of lung. Anesthesia is usually administered before the surgery in order to bear the pain caused during the incision. During the operation, chest tube is used to drain the fluid that gets accumulated near the lung helping the patient to breathe without difficulty. Patients will recover after 2 weeks of treatment but discharge from hospital depends on the health condition and recovery rate. The patients can resume their normal work after 2 months. Periodic health checkups should be done.

Thoracoscopic surgery is one of the modern surgeries that are performed for lung cancer. The patients who cannot bear the long procedure of surgery can undergo this. This mostly comes under the key-hole surgery. This surgery is often video-assisted. Two holes are made near the chest. One hole is for introducing the camera through which the lung can been seen on a monitor. A camera is linked with the fiber optic scope. The other hole is used for instruments. The doctor does the surgery by looking into the computer screen. The wastage of blood due to this kind of surgery is minimal. Only stitches in those two holes are needed. Therefore recovery after this surgery is quite fast. There are no after effects of this surgery. The person can be discharged in few days when compared to a person who has undergone other traditional surgeries. This kind of surgery reduces the operating time thereby saving lot of time. Biomedical wastes are less. This method avoids the muscle division or bone fracture. That’s why this type of surgery is of great advantage for cancer patients.

Pneumonectomy is one among surgical options for lung cancer. It remains as a major lung surgery and it is done for only those who don’t have breathing related problems. In this method of surgery, the affected lung is removed. This is done after making incision on the patient’s chest. For a person to live, one kidney is enough. Similarly, for a person to breathe one lung is sufficient. When the spread of cancer inside the lung is more, this type of surgery is made to avoid its further proliferation to other parts. This is done for non small cell lung cancer patients. In this surgery, some parts of ribs are removed. Blood vessels are fastened and the lung is disintegrated. The diseased lung’s air tube is cut. The lung is then removed and any leakage of air is checked. The cut is closed by stitches. Since the lung is removed, recovery is a long process. The patient is usually kept in the intensive care after the operation and he is given a breathing assistance. The patient may suffer from side effects after this type of surgery therefore proper medication has to be taken to avoid it.

Generally there are three lobes in the right lung and two lobes in the left lung. Lobectomy is one of the surgical procedures for lung cancer when the spread of cancer is more in the lung. This method involves removal of one entire lobe from the lung. Bilobectomy cannot be done if the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. The main factors that determine the surgery are size of the tumor, type and location. This is done along with thoractomy which involves making an incision in the chest. The ribs are spread apart to have good view of the lung. The arteries and veins are fastened and the lobe is removed. An exhaust tube is inserted in the chest which removes any accretion of fluid. The patient can be discharged in a week if he doesn’t show any post surgical complications. Regular visits to respiratory therapists should be made to overcome the breathing difficulty. Care should be taken to avoid recurrence of cancer. The patient has to learn lesson from the suffering so they should avoid smoking.