Types of Lung Cancer Treatment

Receiving a positive lung cancer diagnosis is an unexpected turn in the journey of life that no one anticipates. While the news may be unsettling, swift and informed decision-making regarding treatment with reputable lung cancer doctors becomes imperative. What is lung cancer, and what are treatments available? No question is invalid for patients and their families. The landscape of lung cancer treatment is vast and varied. From treatment options for small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), each approach comes with their unique aspects, including potential side effects, that necessitate careful consideration before moving forward. This blog aims to shed light on the diverse array of lung cancer treatments available.

Surgery

Surgery, one of the primary treatments for lung cancer, aims to remove the tumour or affected part of the lung with the goal of eliminating cancerous cells and preventing further spread. The choice of surgery is contingent upon the tumour's size and location within the lung, among many other factors.

Types of Lung Cancer Surgery:

• Lobectomy: Involves the removal of an entire lobe of the lung where the tumour is located.

• Segmentectomy (Wedge Resection): Involves the removal of a smaller portion of the lung, typically suitable for early-stage cancers.

• Pneumonectomy: Involves the removal of an entire lung, usually reserved for cases where cancer has spread extensively within one lung.

Surgery is often considered a treatment choice for localised or early-stage lung cancers, especially as a treatment option for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that has not spread beyond the lung. Lung cancer doctors may prescribe surgery after radiation or chemotherapy.

As with any surgery, there are risks involved, including infection, bleeding, and potential complications.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is a systemic lung cancer treatment. It involves the use of powerful medications that work by either directly targeting and killing cancer cells or by preventing them from dividing and growing.

Chemotherapy is administered through intravenous (IV) infusions or oral medications, allowing the drugs to circulate throughout the bloodstream and reach cancer cells in various parts of the body. Lung cancer doctors typically administer chemotherapy doses in cycles, with periods of treatment followed by breaks to allow the body to recover.

Chemotherapy for lung cancer is utilised for both small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), either as the primary lung cancer treatment or in combination with other therapies. 

With chemotherapy, however, there are a range of side effects, which can vary depending on the specific drugs used, the dosage, and individual tolerance. Some common side effects include:

• Fatigue: This is one of the most common side effects of chemotherapy and can make it difficult to perform daily activities.

• Nausea and vomiting: These can be effectively managed with medication.

• Hair loss: This is a temporary side effect for most people, and hair usually grows back after treatment is completed.

• Mouth sores: These can make eating and drinking uncomfortable.

• Increased risk of infection: Chemotherapy can weaken your immune system, making you more susceptible to infections.

• Anaemia: This is a decrease in red blood cells, which can cause fatigue and shortness of breath.

Radiation Therapy

Radiation or radiotherapy for lung cancer employs high doses of radiation to eliminate or shrink cancer cells, impairing their ability to grow and divide. One of the key strengths of radiation therapy lies in its ability to precisely target the affected area while minimising damage to surrounding healthy tissues. 

Radiation therapy serves different purposes in lung cancer treatment. It can be used as the primary treatment for localised tumours, especially when surgery is not a viable option.  Additionally, radiation therapy may be employed before surgery to shrink tumours, making them manageable for surgical removal.

As with any medical intervention, radiation therapy comes with potential side effects. Fatigue, skin changes, and irritation of the oesophagus or lungs are common, but advancements in technology and treatment planning have significantly reduced these effects.

Another type of radiation therapy used in the treatment of lung cancer is chemoradiotherapy, also known as chemoradiation, a treatment approach that combines chemotherapy with radiation therapy to target and treat cancer cells. 

Targeted Drug Therapy

Targeted drug therapy is a type of treatment for lung cancer that focuses on specific molecular or genetic changes within cancer cells. Unlike traditional chemotherapy, which affects rapidly dividing cells throughout the body, targeted therapies aim to disrupt the growth and division of cancer cells by targeting specific molecules involved in the cancer development process. These molecules can be proteins, enzymes, or other components involved in signalling pathways.

Lung cancer doctors typically suggest targeted therapy for lung cancer when specific genetic mutations or alterations are identified in the tumour cells. The decision to recommend targeted therapy is guided by several factors, including the type and stage of lung cancer, the results of molecular testing, and the overall health of the patient. Usually, targeted drug therapy is used as a lung cancer treatment for Non Small Cell Lung Cancer patients with advanced stage or recurrent lung cancer or after surgery for Stage 1 to Stage 3A NSCLC patients.

While targeted therapies often have fewer side effects compared to traditional chemotherapy, individuals may still experience specific side effects, such as skin rash, diarrhoea, or elevated blood pressure.

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy has emerged as a transformative and promising approach to the treatment of lung cancer, offering a novel way to harness the body's own immune system to combat cancer cells. Immunotherapy works by enhancing the body's immune system to recognise and attack cancer cells. It aims to overcome the mechanisms that cancer cells use to evade the immune system.

A common form of immunotherapy for lung cancer involves the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors. These drugs block specific proteins, such as PD-1 (programmed cell death protein 1) or PD-L1 (programmed death-ligand 1), that inhibit the activity of immune cells. By blocking these checkpoints, the immune system is unleashed to attack and destroy cancer cells.

Immunotherapy has been approved as a treatment option for certain non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC). It is used in various stages of the disease, including treating the symptoms of metastatic lung cancer.

Other Treatment Options

Some other lesser-used treatment options include:

• Photodynamic Therapy: Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) for lung cancer is utilized in cases where the cancer is localised and hasn't spread extensively. It uses a combination of a photosensitizing drug and a specific type of light to kill cancer cells. 

• Radiofrequency Ablation: Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) is a treatment using heat to destroy lung cancer (thermal ablation). It involves using high-frequency electrical currents delivered through a needle-like probe to heat and destroy cancerous tissue. This type of treatment using heat to destroy lung cancer (thermal ablation) is a minimally invasive procedure suitable for small tumours or as a palliative option.

• Laser Therapy: Laser therapy for lung cancer involves the use of a focused beam of light to destroy or shrink tumours. Best suited for NSCLC, during the procedure, a thin, flexible tube (bronchoscope) with a laser at its tip is inserted into the airways, allowing precise delivery of laser energy to the cancerous tissue. 

• Electrocautery: Diathermy (electrocautery) for lung cancer is a technique that uses electrical currents to cut, coagulate, or ablate tissue. It is one of the treatments to help you breathe when you have lung cancer symptoms, such as a blocked airway. While it may be used during surgery for various purposes, it is not a primary or curative treatment for lung cancer.

• Tube to keep the airway open (airway stent): This is another lung cancer treatment that is prescribed to patients with blocked airways.

• Cryotherapy or cryoablation: Cryotherapy for lung cancer is a medical procedure that uses extreme cold to freeze and destroy abnormal tissue. Its application in lung cancer treatment is relatively limited and is more often employed in only a few special cases, such as treating symptoms of metastatic lung cancer or as an alternative to surgery. 

Conclusion

From surgery to immunotherapy, the evolving landscape of lung cancer treatments offers hope for favourable outcomes. Opting for a reputable Cancer hospital in Gurgaon can make a substantial difference, ensuring access to advanced care, cutting-edge technologies, and seasoned lung cancer doctors. The decision regarding where to seek treatment is as crucial as the treatment itself, as you will also have to follow up with your lung cancer doctors after treatment. It underscores the impact that the right medical team and facility can have on a patient's journey with lung cancer, including the stage of preparing for treatment and life afterwards.

Disclaimer:

This article has been written for information purposes only, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice by a qualified doctor or other health care professional. The author is not responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any form of damages whatsoever resulting from the use (or misuse) of information contained in or implied by the information in this article. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for accurate diagnosis, personalized treatment, and recommendations tailored to your individual health needs.