Lung cancer is caused due to the uncontrollable proliferation of the cells of the lungs. It is attributed to the mutation in some of the genes and smoking.
Non-small cell lung cancer – very common
- Squamous cell carcinoma
- Adenocarcinoma
- Large cell carcinoma
Small cell lung cancer – always associated with smoking
- Small cell carcinoma
- Controlled small cell carcinoma
Treatment for lung cancer -
Surgery
The oncologist recommends surgery because of the following -
- Size of tumor
- Position of tumor
- Type of lung cancer
- How much the tumor has spread
The left lung is segmented into two lobes whereas the right lung is segmented into three.
- Lobectomy –removing only one lobe from the lung. The doctor suggests it if the cancer has not metastasized to other organs. This is the most commonly recommended surgery when the cancer is still at an early stage.
- Bilobectomy – removing two lobes from one lung. The tumors are still in only one lung but the condition has worsened.
- Pneumonectomy – the doctor recommends removing the complete lung if the cancer has completely infected all the lobes.
- Removal of a section– removal of a small section from the lungs.
- Wedge section – the section removed is a part of a lobe or two lobes
- Segmentectomy – removal of the lung with the arteries and veins
- Sleeve resection –removal of a part of the airways and lobes.
Chemotherapy
- use of medications that affects the growth and spreading of the cancerous cells.
Radiation therapy
For this treatment of lung cancer, the doctors use a controlled intense energy beam like X-rays to kill the tumor cells. Radiation therapy is furthermore divided into–
- External –the common form where they aim X-rays or other beams at the body.
- Internal – also called brachytherapy and they place a small implant near the tumor.
It is a successful treatment as it destroys the cancerous cells along with their genetic materials. However, the main issue that arises is that the radiation also destroys the healthy cells around it.
Targeted therapy
Iressa 250mg is also known by the generic name Gefitinib and it is used for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer. It is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor that blocks the functioning of EGFR (epidermal growth factor) and also expresses anti-apoptotic functions. Some of the side effects of Iressa are such as –
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Blisters
- Loss of appetite
- Shortness of breath
- Acne
- Dry skin
- Mouth sores
- Vomiting
Iressa 250 mg price is high however it is advisable to use Magicine Pharma as they provide these medications at an affordable rate and also they provide various discounts
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