One of the diseases that has perplexed doctors and scientists for decades is cancer. Cancer can occur in many parts of the human body, including the breast, tongue, brain, prostate and liver. It also can occur in the lungs. Sometimes lung cancer can be removed through surgery, but often cancer in the lungs is inoperable. In those cases, a patient has to find alternative treatments. These treatments can include chemotherapy, radiation, photodynamic therapy, dietary changes and palliative care.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is the preferred nonsurgical treatment for lung and other cancers, because it can work even when tumors are numerous and widespread in the tissue. Chemotherapy involves taking drugs that stop the growth of cancer cells or stop the cancer cells from reproducing. The drugs can be taken orally via pills or intravenously. One advantage to chemotherapy is that, if the drugs are taken orally, the chemotherapy regimen can be done (at least partially) at home.
Radiation
Radiation is a lung cancer treatment option that can be used alone or in conjunction with chemotherapy. Radiation, like chemotherapy, kills cancer cells. It does this by using high-energy X-rays, which essentially are just a form of light. Radiation therapy can be given with a machine externally as well as internally, but for inoperable tumors of the lungs, external radiation is the best option. Radiation therapy has been shown to send about 10 to 15 percent of cases into remission.
Photodynamic Therapy
Photodynamic therapy, or PDT, is a unique therapy that uses lasers. The patient is injected with a drug that is activated by light. The tumors then are illuminated with a laser fiber during a bronchoscopy, and the laser is used to get rid of the cancer tissue.
Holistic/Diet
Those with lung cancer may treat their cancer through simple holistic methods such as changing diet. Certain foods have been known to have anti-oxidants, vitamins and minerals that encourage healthy cell growth and which can strengthen the immune system that has to fight the cancer.
Palliative Care
Palliative care is the last treatment option for inoperable lung cancer. Palliative care is any care that makes the cancer patient more comfortable during his illness. It can include warm baths, massage, aromatherapy and other techniques. Although palliative care does not usually result in the remission of the cancer, it can improve the patient's mental well-being, which in turn can have an effect on the immune system of the individual.
Tags: lung cancer, cancer cells, cancer Palliative, drugs taken, drugs taken orally, immune system, palliative care