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Symptomatic Control of Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is the most common form of cancer worldwide. Cigarette smoke is the most common risk factor for lung cancer. Although there are other risk factors, such as prolonged exposure to asbestos and radiation, smoking has been proven to be the number one risk factor. The more you smoke and the longer you have smoked, the higher your risk will be for developing lung cancer.

  1. About Lung Cancer

    • When cells divide and generate in an uncontrollable manner, a mass, referred to as a tumor, will sometimes form. A tumor can either be benign or malignant. In terms of cancer, a tumor is considered malignant. Malignant tumors will spread throughout the body in a quick and progressive manner. Lung cancer progresses rapidly throughout the body typically affecting areas, such as the brain, liver, bone and adrenal glands, and is therefore life-threatening.

    Symptoms of Lung Cancer

    • Lung cancer symptoms include persistent coughing or chest pain, wheezing, coughing up blood, hoarseness, lack of appetite, weight loss, chronic fatigue, swelling of the facial and neck areas or dyspnea. Patients with dyspnea have a painfully distressing awareness of their own breathing actions. Dyspnea is usually experienced by patients who have a more advanced level of lung cancer.

    Treatment and Control of Lung Cancer Symptoms

    • In order to treat symptoms of lung cancer, a doctor would have to determine the cause of the symptoms. According to the Patrick Dempsey Center Cancer for Hope and Healing, certain causes for symptoms and treatments include "tumor obstruction (upper airways, bronchus or superior vena cava), radiation therapy, hormone therapy, or chemotherapy for sensitive tumors." Radio frequency abalation is another form of cancer treatment offered that attempts to kill cancerous cells using localized heat methods.

    Symptomatic Management

    • Lung cancer patients are often given symptomatic management treatments, such as oxygen, medication and lifestyle counseling. It is recommended that patients with lung cancer quit smoking in order to reduce painful symptoms related to lung cancer. Sedatives and tranquilizers are available to help patients deal with the pain associated with lung cancer so that they are able to rest. Several cancer patients are also treated with morphine.

    Benefits of Non-Surgical Treatment

    • Non-surgical treatment of lung cancer is most effective when cancerous cells are centralized in the lungs. There are financial benefits to non-invasive treatment due to the fact that it costs significantly less than surgical procedures do. Anesthesia is generally not needed for non-surgical treatment. Patients can resume daily activities the day after treatment is performed. In most cases, pain and suffering can be relieved with this treatment, which has fewer complications than surgical procedures.

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