Only after diagnosing the type of cancer in the patient can treatment options be obtained. One time you have been detected or suspected for cancer in lungs, you will be subjected to different kind of tests to confirm the presence of lung cancer and also selected treatment protocols. X-ray, CT scans (computer assisted tomography), and MRIs (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) are the means for diagnosing this cancer.
Lung cancer treatment depends on the kind of cancer. To decide the kind of lung cancer the cell type needs to be identified. The types of cancer in lungs are little cell and non-small cell and treatment protocol for these types of cell cancers differs entirely. About 90% sufferers are identified with epidermoid carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, and oat cell carcinoma, which are the common types of lung cancers.
Your doctor will provide you all the details of cancer treatment including the stage, extent and location of the lung cancer one time you have been confirmed with lung cancer. In the early stages, the cancerous mass would be only confined to area of the lung. In the advanced stages, the cancer may spread to other parts of the body through the blood stream or lymph nodes. You may discuss together with your doctor your treatment plan, which can be performed by any of the following methods:
Radiation therapy. Treatment by passing high-energy rays on the cancerous cells to kill cancer cells.
Chemotherapy. Treatment with drug combinations to annihilate cancer cells.
Surgical procedure. Treatment by removing the part of the affected lung to eradicate the cancer.
Chemotherapy
This treatment makes use of different drug combinations given intravenously or orally. These medicines enter the bloodstream and spread throughout the body destroying the cancerous cells metastasized to other parts of the body. Lung cancer treatment requires anticancer drugs for the elimination of cancer cells. Chemotherapy can be performed alone as a primary treatment or as combination with surgical procedure. Although chemotherapy kills the cancerous cells, it kills normal cells also, therefore minimizing the feasible side effects needs to be taken by the physician. The occurrence of side effects depends on the length of treatment and the amount of drugs you have taken. The common side effects of chemotherapy are nausea, vomiting, mouth sores, hair loss, or loss of appetite.
Surgical procedure
Surgical procedure may be preferred as a last resort for treatment. It might be necessary of you to spend to weeks in the hospital for surgical therapy of lung cancer. Under general anesthesia, a surgical incision is performed to the chest and the affected tissue is removed to destroy the cancer in lungs. The probable complications include wound infections, pneumonia, and excessive bleeding with surgical treatment for this cancer. For at least to months your activity ought to be limited due to the surgical incision in the ribs.
Radiation therapy
The major radiation therapies used as treatment to destroy cancer cells are outside beam radiation and brachytherapy. When the health of the patient is poor to resist surgical procedure then outside beam radiation therapy is used. Brachytherapy is the radiation therapy used for treatment by relieving the blockage of giant airways due to cancer.
Of late, an invasive procedure called video-assisted thoracic surgical procedure has been developed for a tumor smaller than four to five cm for lung cancer treatment.
Monday, 5 September 2011
Saturday, 5 February 2011
Stage 4 lung cancer treatment when someone had a heart attack?
I have seen patients who have a history of heart attacks and receive radiation. I have also seen lung cancer cases where the patient was not a candidate for radiation as the area to be treated was inline with the heart.
I don’t think you are getting the correct information. Call his radiation oncologist if you can not speak to him or her right then, give a 2-3 hour window when it is best to reach you and make sure they know you are on the west coast. This type of doctor has a different type of practice that the doctors you are probably used to seeing. They have more time between patients than most doctors as their job requires them to do a lot of dictation and review a lot of scans and x-rays making it easier to return calls.
I don’t think you are getting the correct information. Call his radiation oncologist if you can not speak to him or her right then, give a 2-3 hour window when it is best to reach you and make sure they know you are on the west coast. This type of doctor has a different type of practice that the doctors you are probably used to seeing. They have more time between patients than most doctors as their job requires them to do a lot of dictation and review a lot of scans and x-rays making it easier to return calls.
Friday, 19 February 2010
Signs Of Lung Cancer
Let us take a look at the signs of Lung Cancer & it is symptoms; suppose you are having pulmonary problems & you believe that these are the Signs of Lung Cancer, it is a nice idea to go to a physician to have tests done, this is the only way of knowing you have lung cancer.
Signs of Lung Cancer, the signs & symptoms to check for. It seems as though today increasingly people are having pulmonary problems which can be signs of Lung Cancer.
First of all, you may require to know that there's two types of Lung Cancer, these two types of Lung Cancer are: little cell lung cancer, squamous cell carcinoma lung cancer, giant cell carcinoma lung cancer & adenocarcinoma lung cancer. All of these two are most likely linked to smoking or second degree smoke, but it is also known that the Signs of Lung Cancer can have an inherited component to this. There is a research being done, that perhaps the signs of Lung Cancer can be linked to diet, but that is still in the research arena, but some signs of Lung Cancer can be related to diet.
The symptoms & signs of Lung Cancer are difficulty breathing, coughing up blood, chest pain, loss of appetite, weight loss & general fatigue, but there's some signs of Lung Cancers that do not have any noticeable symptoms, this is because this type is not in the advance stages yet, this type of Lung Cancer is where it's spread to other parts of the body, & therefore it is hard to see these signs of Lung Cancer.
Now, depending on the type of Lung Cancer depends on the treatment that is used a drug treatment perhaps used for little lung cancers this is called (chemotherapy) this is the usual treatment for the signs of little lung cancer, radiotherapy is therefore used for the other types of Lung Cancer that I had mentioned earlier. Although Lung Cancer is three of the most hazardous Lung Cancers there's, recall there is still a cure & hope (they always have hope) for Lung Cancer or any type of cancer.
Sometimes the signs of Lung Cancer can be detected by a simple chest x-ray but sometimes with the signs of Lung Cancer you must have a check called bronchoscopy, this check is when a narrow, flexible tube is inserted down the airways of the throat & this allows the doctors to see the inside of the lungs, sometimes they will take a biopsy to select if the Lung Cancer has spread, they will must take other tests depending on the type of Lung Cancer, such as a CT Scan, liver ultrasound or bone scan perhaps this will select if the Lung Cancer has spread to other areas.
If you feel that you may have Lung Cancer & have these symptoms, see your doctor & get these tests done, Lung Cancer can spread to other parts of the body, & the sooner you find the problem, the sooner you it can be treated.
In Lung Cancer the drug treatments that I mentioned, cause bruising, fatigue, hair loss, diarrhoea, nausea & vomiting, but the nausea & vomiting can be assisted with other medications & the hair loss? well..the hair will grow back.
With Lung Cancer it is impairative that you get help & treated immediately. Lung Cancer can be deadly as they all know so take the tests & if you have Lung Cancer, donut let it beat you. You beat Lung Cancer.
Signs of Lung Cancer, the signs & symptoms to check for. It seems as though today increasingly people are having pulmonary problems which can be signs of Lung Cancer.
First of all, you may require to know that there's two types of Lung Cancer, these two types of Lung Cancer are: little cell lung cancer, squamous cell carcinoma lung cancer, giant cell carcinoma lung cancer & adenocarcinoma lung cancer. All of these two are most likely linked to smoking or second degree smoke, but it is also known that the Signs of Lung Cancer can have an inherited component to this. There is a research being done, that perhaps the signs of Lung Cancer can be linked to diet, but that is still in the research arena, but some signs of Lung Cancer can be related to diet.
The symptoms & signs of Lung Cancer are difficulty breathing, coughing up blood, chest pain, loss of appetite, weight loss & general fatigue, but there's some signs of Lung Cancers that do not have any noticeable symptoms, this is because this type is not in the advance stages yet, this type of Lung Cancer is where it's spread to other parts of the body, & therefore it is hard to see these signs of Lung Cancer.
Now, depending on the type of Lung Cancer depends on the treatment that is used a drug treatment perhaps used for little lung cancers this is called (chemotherapy) this is the usual treatment for the signs of little lung cancer, radiotherapy is therefore used for the other types of Lung Cancer that I had mentioned earlier. Although Lung Cancer is three of the most hazardous Lung Cancers there's, recall there is still a cure & hope (they always have hope) for Lung Cancer or any type of cancer.
Sometimes the signs of Lung Cancer can be detected by a simple chest x-ray but sometimes with the signs of Lung Cancer you must have a check called bronchoscopy, this check is when a narrow, flexible tube is inserted down the airways of the throat & this allows the doctors to see the inside of the lungs, sometimes they will take a biopsy to select if the Lung Cancer has spread, they will must take other tests depending on the type of Lung Cancer, such as a CT Scan, liver ultrasound or bone scan perhaps this will select if the Lung Cancer has spread to other areas.
If you feel that you may have Lung Cancer & have these symptoms, see your doctor & get these tests done, Lung Cancer can spread to other parts of the body, & the sooner you find the problem, the sooner you it can be treated.
In Lung Cancer the drug treatments that I mentioned, cause bruising, fatigue, hair loss, diarrhoea, nausea & vomiting, but the nausea & vomiting can be assisted with other medications & the hair loss? well..the hair will grow back.
With Lung Cancer it is impairative that you get help & treated immediately. Lung Cancer can be deadly as they all know so take the tests & if you have Lung Cancer, donut let it beat you. You beat Lung Cancer.
Sunday, 7 February 2010
Save Yourself From Lung Cancer!
Lung cancer is a serious form of cancer. This is lethal when the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the lungs has already spread to the other organs in the body.
Cancerous cells can break down and can spread in other parts of the body by forming secondary tumor sites, which makes it more fatal.
If early detection of lung cancer did not happen, diagnosis in the advanced stage may be harder and managing the symptoms may likewise be difficult.
When the tumor is already on its advanced stage, managing it is harder. It may help to know that early detection of lung cancer is best to ensure the possibility of putting the lung cancer in to remission.
There's five types of lung cancer, the small cell lung cancer and the non-small cell lung cancer.
Lung cancer treatment is greatly dependent on the severity of the illness. Knowing which type of lung cancer you are suffering from may help in the management of the illness.
Commonly, because lung cancer symptoms do not manifest in the early stage of the illness, treating it will be a sizable problem when detection happens when cancer metastases or secondary cancer cells already developed in the other organs of the body.
Small cell lung cancer or oat cell lung cancer comprises the twenty to twenty-five percent of all lung cancer cases. The major cause of small cell lung cancer is cigarette smoking.
One common types of non-small cell lung cancer are squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma and giant cell carcinoma.
Non-small cell lung cancer, on the other hand, involves several kinds of lung cancers. The differentiation of these kinds of non-small cell lung cancer depends on the type of cells affected.
Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common non-small cell lung cancer. This non-small cell lung cancer starts in the giant bronchi and stay confined to the chest longer than other lung cancers do, because of this, the cancer do not spread as rapidly than the other types.
These forms of non-small cell lung cancer tend to grow and spread slower than the small cell lung cancer.
Adenocarcinoma, the primary cause of this non-small cell lung cancer is still a challenge to medical experts. Thus, experts continue to study the major cause of this cancer. Even with this pending study, cigarette smoking and breathing impure air is still being thought about as major participant in the development of lung cancer.
Doctors believe that the tumor in this type of lung cancer is in the outer edges of the lungs and under the lining of the bronchi. The progression of this non-small cell lung cancer is average but survival odds remain on the 10% mark.
Giant cell lung cancer is another non-small cell lung cancer. The tumor in this type of lung cancer is on the smaller bronchi. Fifteen percent of lung cancer cases are giant cell lung cancers.
Adenocarcinoma constitutes thirty to thirty-five percent of all lung cancer cases in America.
Lung cancer cases account for the fourteen percent of all cancer cases in the United States. At worst, twenty-eight percent of all death among cancer patients are lung cancer cases.
Among all non-small cell lung cancers, this type of lung cancer progresses faster, to the level of small cell lung cancer.
To keep away from being part of the statistics on lung cancer, ensure you won't acquire small cell lung cancer or even the slower non-small cell lung cancer by living a healthy and active lifestyle.
Regular exercise, eating a well-balanced diet and avoiding exposure to impure air including cigarette smoke will help strengthen your immune method and this will avoid acquiring the deadly illness.
For more related information visit: http://www.manhealthsite.com Manhealth is a site that offers advice for avoiding, coping with ill health. Get professional knowledge on dealing with symptoms, drug side effects and improving your life!
Cancerous cells can break down and can spread in other parts of the body by forming secondary tumor sites, which makes it more fatal.
If early detection of lung cancer did not happen, diagnosis in the advanced stage may be harder and managing the symptoms may likewise be difficult.
When the tumor is already on its advanced stage, managing it is harder. It may help to know that early detection of lung cancer is best to ensure the possibility of putting the lung cancer in to remission.
There's five types of lung cancer, the small cell lung cancer and the non-small cell lung cancer.
Lung cancer treatment is greatly dependent on the severity of the illness. Knowing which type of lung cancer you are suffering from may help in the management of the illness.
Commonly, because lung cancer symptoms do not manifest in the early stage of the illness, treating it will be a sizable problem when detection happens when cancer metastases or secondary cancer cells already developed in the other organs of the body.
Small cell lung cancer or oat cell lung cancer comprises the twenty to twenty-five percent of all lung cancer cases. The major cause of small cell lung cancer is cigarette smoking.
One common types of non-small cell lung cancer are squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma and giant cell carcinoma.
Non-small cell lung cancer, on the other hand, involves several kinds of lung cancers. The differentiation of these kinds of non-small cell lung cancer depends on the type of cells affected.
Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common non-small cell lung cancer. This non-small cell lung cancer starts in the giant bronchi and stay confined to the chest longer than other lung cancers do, because of this, the cancer do not spread as rapidly than the other types.
These forms of non-small cell lung cancer tend to grow and spread slower than the small cell lung cancer.
Adenocarcinoma, the primary cause of this non-small cell lung cancer is still a challenge to medical experts. Thus, experts continue to study the major cause of this cancer. Even with this pending study, cigarette smoking and breathing impure air is still being thought about as major participant in the development of lung cancer.
Doctors believe that the tumor in this type of lung cancer is in the outer edges of the lungs and under the lining of the bronchi. The progression of this non-small cell lung cancer is average but survival odds remain on the 10% mark.
Giant cell lung cancer is another non-small cell lung cancer. The tumor in this type of lung cancer is on the smaller bronchi. Fifteen percent of lung cancer cases are giant cell lung cancers.
Adenocarcinoma constitutes thirty to thirty-five percent of all lung cancer cases in America.
Lung cancer cases account for the fourteen percent of all cancer cases in the United States. At worst, twenty-eight percent of all death among cancer patients are lung cancer cases.
Among all non-small cell lung cancers, this type of lung cancer progresses faster, to the level of small cell lung cancer.
To keep away from being part of the statistics on lung cancer, ensure you won't acquire small cell lung cancer or even the slower non-small cell lung cancer by living a healthy and active lifestyle.
Regular exercise, eating a well-balanced diet and avoiding exposure to impure air including cigarette smoke will help strengthen your immune method and this will avoid acquiring the deadly illness.
For more related information visit: http://www.manhealthsite.com Manhealth is a site that offers advice for avoiding, coping with ill health. Get professional knowledge on dealing with symptoms, drug side effects and improving your life!
Friday, 12 June 2009
Lung Cancer Treatment
Once the stage of the lung cancer has been determined, the oncology team & the patient work together to create a treatment plan. it is important for lung cancer patients to discuss the value of different forms of therapy with their oncologist. Other factors that affect lung cancer treatment include the patient's general health, medical conditions that can affect treatment (such as chemotherapy), & tumor characteristics.
Treatment for lung cancer depends on a variety of factors. The most important factors are the histopathologic (diseased tissue) type of lung cancer & the stage of the cancer.
Surgical resection (cutting away) of the tumor generally is indicated for cancer that has not spread beyond the lung. Surgery for lung cancer may be conducted using a variety of techniques. Thoracotomy, which is performed throught the chest wall, & median sternotomy, which is performed by cutting through the breastbone, are standard methods used for lung cancer surgery.
Characteristics of the lung tumor are used to help separate patients in to eight groups: patients who're at low risk for cancer recurrence & patients who're at high risk for cancer recurrence. Specific prognostic—disease-forecasting—factors are used to place patients in either of these groups. In particular, the histopathologic groupings of small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) versus non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) may be used to better predict a patient's prognosis & expected response to therapy.
Alternative approaches include anterior limited thoractomy (ALT), which is performed on the frontal chest using a small incision; anterioraxillary thoracotomy (AAT), which is performed on the frontal chest near the underarm; & posterolateral thoracotomy (PLT), which is performed on the back/side region of the trunk.
ALT, in particular, is less invasive than standard thoractomy—that is, this procedure involves less disturbance of the body than large incisions or other intrusive measures. ALT may result in less blood loss during & after surgery, less postoperative drainage, & less postoperative pain than standard thoracotomy.
However, some physicians caution that VAT does not permit complete lung examination to identify & remove metastases that are not detected by preoperative chest x-ray. VAT is perhaps most appropriate for Stage 1 & Stage 2 cancers that require lobectomy (surgical removal of a lung lobule) with lymphadenectomy (removal of eight or more lymph nodes) & for peripheral (outer edge) lung tumors that can be removed by wedge resection. In such cases, follow-up is required to establish a long-term prognosis.
Recently, surgeons have developed other less invasive procedures for the removal of cancerous lung tissue. For example, video-assisted thoracoscopy (VAT), also known as video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS), involves using a video camera to help visualize & operate on the lung within the chest cavity. The surgical incisions made during VAT are much smaller than those required for thoracotomy or sternotomy.
Unfortunately, surgical procedures can cause a condition called lymphocytopenia—low number of lymphocytes (white blood cells) in the blood—which is linked to shorter survival times among patients with advanced lung cancer. Lymphocytopenia may be related to a deficiency in interleukin-2 (IL-2), a hormone that controls the activity of T lymphocytes (thymus-dependent lymphocytes). Preoperative treatment with recombinant human interleukin-2 (rhIL-2) may help to prevent the decrease in lymphocytes that occurs after surgery for operable lung cancer.
Computed tomography (CT) scans also have been added to VAT technology to improve lung cancer surgery. Experts have found that percutaneous (through the skin) CT-guided localization wires can help to identify tumorous lung nodules. In this way, wires are used to assist VAT in cases that require sublobectomy resection (partial removal of a lung lobe).
If the tumor is aggressive and/or widespread, chemotherapy, radiotherapy (radiation therapy), & other therapies may be used in addition to or instead of surgery to treat lung cancer.
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) often is used to treat inoperable lung cancer. Photodynamic therapy involves the injection of a light-activated drug (e.g., photofrin/polyhaematoporphyrin, lumin). Then, during bronchoscopy (examination of the airways using a flexible scope), the lung tumor is illuminated by a laser fiber that transmits light of a specific wavelength. At that time, the laser light is used to destroy the sensitized tumor tissue. Skin photosensitivity (light sensitivity) is a side effect of PDT.
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Treatment for lung cancer depends on a variety of factors. The most important factors are the histopathologic (diseased tissue) type of lung cancer & the stage of the cancer.
Surgical resection (cutting away) of the tumor generally is indicated for cancer that has not spread beyond the lung. Surgery for lung cancer may be conducted using a variety of techniques. Thoracotomy, which is performed throught the chest wall, & median sternotomy, which is performed by cutting through the breastbone, are standard methods used for lung cancer surgery.
Characteristics of the lung tumor are used to help separate patients in to eight groups: patients who're at low risk for cancer recurrence & patients who're at high risk for cancer recurrence. Specific prognostic—disease-forecasting—factors are used to place patients in either of these groups. In particular, the histopathologic groupings of small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) versus non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) may be used to better predict a patient's prognosis & expected response to therapy.
Alternative approaches include anterior limited thoractomy (ALT), which is performed on the frontal chest using a small incision; anterioraxillary thoracotomy (AAT), which is performed on the frontal chest near the underarm; & posterolateral thoracotomy (PLT), which is performed on the back/side region of the trunk.
ALT, in particular, is less invasive than standard thoractomy—that is, this procedure involves less disturbance of the body than large incisions or other intrusive measures. ALT may result in less blood loss during & after surgery, less postoperative drainage, & less postoperative pain than standard thoracotomy.
However, some physicians caution that VAT does not permit complete lung examination to identify & remove metastases that are not detected by preoperative chest x-ray. VAT is perhaps most appropriate for Stage 1 & Stage 2 cancers that require lobectomy (surgical removal of a lung lobule) with lymphadenectomy (removal of eight or more lymph nodes) & for peripheral (outer edge) lung tumors that can be removed by wedge resection. In such cases, follow-up is required to establish a long-term prognosis.
Recently, surgeons have developed other less invasive procedures for the removal of cancerous lung tissue. For example, video-assisted thoracoscopy (VAT), also known as video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS), involves using a video camera to help visualize & operate on the lung within the chest cavity. The surgical incisions made during VAT are much smaller than those required for thoracotomy or sternotomy.
Unfortunately, surgical procedures can cause a condition called lymphocytopenia—low number of lymphocytes (white blood cells) in the blood—which is linked to shorter survival times among patients with advanced lung cancer. Lymphocytopenia may be related to a deficiency in interleukin-2 (IL-2), a hormone that controls the activity of T lymphocytes (thymus-dependent lymphocytes). Preoperative treatment with recombinant human interleukin-2 (rhIL-2) may help to prevent the decrease in lymphocytes that occurs after surgery for operable lung cancer.
Computed tomography (CT) scans also have been added to VAT technology to improve lung cancer surgery. Experts have found that percutaneous (through the skin) CT-guided localization wires can help to identify tumorous lung nodules. In this way, wires are used to assist VAT in cases that require sublobectomy resection (partial removal of a lung lobe).
If the tumor is aggressive and/or widespread, chemotherapy, radiotherapy (radiation therapy), & other therapies may be used in addition to or instead of surgery to treat lung cancer.
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) often is used to treat inoperable lung cancer. Photodynamic therapy involves the injection of a light-activated drug (e.g., photofrin/polyhaematoporphyrin, lumin). Then, during bronchoscopy (examination of the airways using a flexible scope), the lung tumor is illuminated by a laser fiber that transmits light of a specific wavelength. At that time, the laser light is used to destroy the sensitized tumor tissue. Skin photosensitivity (light sensitivity) is a side effect of PDT.
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Lung Cancer Treatment Options: Beating Lung Cancer
True to most cases, the treatment of cancer depends on a variety of factors. twice a lung cancer has been staged, the physician & patient can now discuss between themselves treatment options that will be necessary. Patient must be well-informed of the side effects & possible outcome of a certain procedure.
Everything should be cleared beforehand to avoid regret. Other factors that are taken into account also includes the patient’s general health, medical problems that may affect treatment (such as chemotherapy), & tumor characteristics.
The characteristics of a lung tumor helps doctors separate patients into four groups: people with low risk of cancer recurrence & people with high risk of cancer recurrence.
Surgical resection is completed with patients whose cancers have not yet spread beyond the lung. This is completed through the following options: Thoracotomy - the opening of the chest wall for surgical procedures - & median sternotomy - surgery performed by cutting through the breastbone.
Lately, other less invasive procedures are being performed for the removal of tumorous tissue. For example, the video-assisted thoracoscopy (VAT), otherwise known as video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS). This procedure uses a video camera to help envision & operate on the lung within the chest cavity. The surgical incisions made during VAT are more minor than those needed for thoracotomy or sternotomy.
Other approaches include anterior limited thoractomy (ALT), thoractomy performed on the frontal chest using a small incision; anterioraxillary thoracotomy (AAT), thoracotomy performed on the frontal chest near the underarm; & posterolateral thoracotomy (PLT) thoracotomy performed on the back/side region of the trunk. ALT, in particular, is less invasive than standard thoractomy - that's, it involves less disturbance of the body by incisions or other intrusive measures. ALT may result in less surgical blood loss, less postoperative drainage, & less postoperative pain than standard thoracotomy.
However, physicians warn that VAT does not actually permit complete lung examination to identify & remove metastases that aren't detected by preoperative chest X-ray. VAT is appropriate for Stage 1 & Stage 2 cancers that need lobectomy (surgical removal of a lung lobule) with lymphadenectomy (removal of three or more lymph nodes) & for peripheral (outer edge) lung tumors that can be removed by wedge resection.
Everything should be cleared beforehand to avoid regret. Other factors that are taken into account also includes the patient’s general health, medical problems that may affect treatment (such as chemotherapy), & tumor characteristics.
The characteristics of a lung tumor helps doctors separate patients into four groups: people with low risk of cancer recurrence & people with high risk of cancer recurrence.
Surgical resection is completed with patients whose cancers have not yet spread beyond the lung. This is completed through the following options: Thoracotomy - the opening of the chest wall for surgical procedures - & median sternotomy - surgery performed by cutting through the breastbone.
Lately, other less invasive procedures are being performed for the removal of tumorous tissue. For example, the video-assisted thoracoscopy (VAT), otherwise known as video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS). This procedure uses a video camera to help envision & operate on the lung within the chest cavity. The surgical incisions made during VAT are more minor than those needed for thoracotomy or sternotomy.
Other approaches include anterior limited thoractomy (ALT), thoractomy performed on the frontal chest using a small incision; anterioraxillary thoracotomy (AAT), thoracotomy performed on the frontal chest near the underarm; & posterolateral thoracotomy (PLT) thoracotomy performed on the back/side region of the trunk. ALT, in particular, is less invasive than standard thoractomy - that's, it involves less disturbance of the body by incisions or other intrusive measures. ALT may result in less surgical blood loss, less postoperative drainage, & less postoperative pain than standard thoracotomy.
However, physicians warn that VAT does not actually permit complete lung examination to identify & remove metastases that aren't detected by preoperative chest X-ray. VAT is appropriate for Stage 1 & Stage 2 cancers that need lobectomy (surgical removal of a lung lobule) with lymphadenectomy (removal of three or more lymph nodes) & for peripheral (outer edge) lung tumors that can be removed by wedge resection.
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