Lung Cancer Treatment Services

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to destroy cancer cells, by stopping the cancer cells’ ability to grow and divide. It has been shown to improve both the length and quality of life for people with lung cancer of all stages. Chemotherapy is given by a medical oncologist, a doctor who specializes in treating cancer with medication.

Systemic chemotherapy is delivered through the bloodstream to reach cancer cells throughout the body. Common ways to give chemotherapy include an intravenous (IV) tube placed into a vein using a needle or in a pill or capsule that is swallowed (orally). Most chemotherapy used for lung cancer is given by IV injection.

A chemotherapy regimen usually consists of a specific number of cycles given over a set period of time. A patient may receive one drug at a time or combinations of different drugs at the same time. The drugs used in chemotherapy will depend on the type of lung cancer (adenocarcinoma or squamous cells carcinoma). Newer chemotherapy regimens cause fewer side effects and are as effective as older treatments.

The side effects of chemotherapy depend on the individual and the dose used, but they can include fatigue, suppression of immunity, increasing risk of infection, nausea, vomiting, hair loss, loss of appetite, diarrhoea, and hair loss. Nausea and vomiting are often avoidable. These side effects usually go away once treatment is finished.

Chemotherapy may also damage normal cells in the body, including blood cells, skin cells, and nerve cells. This may cause low blood counts, an increased risk of infection, hair loss, mouth sores, and/or numbness or tingling in the hands and feet. A medical oncologist can often prescribe drugs to help relieve many of these side effects. Growth factor injections are also used to prevent white and red blood cell counts from becoming too low.

Targeted therapy

Targeted therapy is a treatment that targets the cancer’s specific genes, proteins, or the tissue environment that contributes to cancer growth and survival. This type of treatment blocks the growth and spread of cancer cells while limiting damage to healthy cells.

Recent studies show that not all tumors have the same targets. To find the most effective treatment, your doctor may run tests to identify the genes, proteins, and other factors in your tumor. For some lung cancers, abnormal proteins are found in unusually large amounts in the cancer cells. Running tests to find these proteins can help doctors in matcing each patient with the most effective treatment whenever possible. In addition, many research studies are taking place now to find out more about specific molecular targets and new treatments directed at them.

Combining treatments

Most people with lung cancer receive more than one modality of treatment from more than one cancer specialist. This is called a multidisciplinary team approach. For example, chemotherapy can be given before or after surgery or before, during, or after radiation therapy. Patients should have a sense that their doctors have a coordinated plan of care and are working effectively with one another. If patients do not feel that the surgeon, radiation oncologist, and/or medical oncologist are communicating effectively with them or each other about the goals of treatment and the plan of care, patients should discuss this with their doctors or seek additional opinions before treatment.

Getting care for symptoms and side effects

Cancer and its treatment often cause side effects. In addition to treatment to slow, stop, or eliminate the cancer, an important part of cancer care is relieving a person’s symptoms and side effects. This approach is called palliative or supportive care, and it includes supporting the patient with his or her physical, emotional, and social needs.

Palliative care can help a person at any stage of illness. People often receive treatment for the cancer and treatment to ease side effects at the same time. In fact, patients who receive both often have less severe symptoms, better quality of life, and report they are more satisfied with treatment.

Palliative treatments vary widely and often include medication, nutritional changes, relaxation techniques, and other therapies. You may also receive palliative treatments similar to those meant to eliminate the cancer, such as chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation therapy. Talk with your doctor about the goals of each treatment in your treatment plan.

The following treatments may be given to help relieve the symptoms of lung cancer:

• A tumor in the chest that is bleeding or blocking the lung passages can be shrunk with radiation therapy.
• During a bronchoscopy, lung passages blocked by cancer can be opened to improve breathing.
• A surgeon can use a laser to burn away a tumor or place a stent to prop open an airway.
• Medications can be used to suppress cough, open closed airways, or reduce bronchial secretions.
• Extra oxygen from small, portable tanks can help make up for the lung’s reduced ability to extract oxygen from the air.
• Medications are available to strengthen bones, lessen bone pain, and help prevent future bone metastases.
• Appetite stimulants and nutritional supplements can improve appetite and reduce weight loss.

Before treatment begins, talk with the health care team about the possible side effects of the specific treatment plan and supportive care options. During and after treatment, be sure to tell the doctor or another health care team member, if patient is experiencing a problem so it is addressed as quickly as possible.