Precautions for postoperative health care of lung cancer patients

Lung cancer is a common tumor of the respiratory tract with high morbidity and mortality rates. The tumor can be removed through surgery, but this is not the end of the story. Patients should also take a series of postoperative health care measures to ensure full and thorough recovery.

1. Postoperative follow-up

Lung cancer patients have a high recurrence and metastasis rate after surgery, so regular checkups and follow-ups are necessary after surgery to detect adverse lesions and provide timely and effective treatment. Generally, a checkup is done every three months within two years after surgery, and every six months thereafter. After the fifth year, the checkup can be extended to once a year.

2. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy?

Radiotherapy and chemotherapy are commonly used adjuvant therapies after surgery, which can help patients completely eliminate residual cancer lesions. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy are generally performed 3 to 4 weeks after surgery, and the specific time depends on the patient's condition. Before each chemotherapy, blood tests should be performed to check white blood cells and liver and kidney function. If the white blood cell count is <3500 or the liver and kidney function is abnormal, chemotherapy should be temporarily suspended.

3. Traditional Chinese medicine treatment

Patients can take Chinese medicine, including Chinese patent medicine and Chinese herbal medicine, during surgery or radiotherapy and chemotherapy to enhance efficacy and reduce toxicity. It is recommended to take the medicine under the guidance of an experienced Chinese medicine practitioner and not to take some so-called secret recipes or folk remedies casually, so as not to aggravate the harm to the body.

4. Work?

Since lung cancer surgery is very traumatic, various respiratory discomforts may occur in a short period of time after the operation. Both physical and psychological needs require a period of rest and recovery. Work can be gradually resumed depending on the physical condition. Generally, people can do any work except heavy physical labor.