What are the complications of lung cancer?

In recent years, the incidence of lung cancer has increased significantly in various countries. Long-term heavy smoking is an important factor in causing lung cancer. It is also related to the degree of environmental pollution. If lung cancer is not treated in time, it is likely to cause many complications. So what are the complications of lung cancer ? The following is a detailed answer from relevant experts.

Most patients with lung cancer that has spread regionally within the chest have chest pain, followed by hoarseness, and finally face and neck edema. Finally, almost all patients with lung cancer that has spread regionally have shortness of breath to varying degrees.

Certain complications are often prone to occur after lung cancer surgery, and their formation is closely related to the patient's own body factors and the scope and method of surgery. Common postoperative complications and prevention and treatment methods are as follows:

(1) Respiratory complications: such as sputum retention, atelectasis, pneumonia, respiratory insufficiency, etc. These are common complications of lung cancer. The incidence rate is particularly high in the elderly and frail, and those with chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Due to the pain of the wound after surgery, the patient cannot cough effectively, and sputum accumulation causes airway obstruction, atelectasis, and respiratory insufficiency. Prevention requires that the patient fully understand and cooperate, actively prepare for surgery, and encourage and urge the patient to take deep breaths and cough hard after surgery to effectively expectorate. If necessary, nasal catheter or bronchoscope suction can be performed. Patients with pneumonia should actively receive anti-inflammatory treatment, and mechanical assisted breathing is often required when respiratory failure occurs.

(2) Postoperative hemothorax, empyema and bronchopleural fistula: their incidence is very low. Postoperative hemothorax is a serious complication that requires emergency treatment. If necessary, another thoracotomy should be performed to stop bleeding. During lung surgery, bronchial or pulmonary secretions may contaminate the chest cavity and cause empyema. At this time, in addition to choosing effective antibiotics for treatment, timely and thorough thoracentesis is extremely important. If the effect is poor, closed chest drainage can be considered. The presence of bronchial stump cancer after lung resection, hypoproteinemia and improper surgical operation can lead to poor healing of the bronchial stump or the formation of fistulas after surgery. The incidence of such complications has been greatly reduced in recent years.

(3) Complications of the cardiovascular system: old age, physical weakness, traction and stimulation of the mediastinum and hilum during surgery, hypokalemia, hypoxia and massive bleeding are often the causes. Common complications of the cardiovascular system include postoperative hypotension, arrhythmia, pericardial tamponade, heart failure, etc. For elderly patients who already have heart disease before surgery and have low heart function, the surgical indications should be strictly controlled. The surgeon should be careful to operate gently. After surgery, the airway should be kept open and oxygen should be adequately supplied. The changes in blood pressure and pulse should be closely observed, and blood volume should be replenished in time. The postoperative infusion speed should be slow and balanced to prevent excessive infusion from inducing pulmonary edema. At the same time, electrocardiogram monitoring should be performed. Once abnormalities are found, timely treatment should be given according to the condition. Elderly patients often have latent coronary heart disease. The various stimulations of surgical trauma can induce acute attacks, but they can be out of danger under the close monitoring and timely treatment of clinicians.

The above is an introduction to the complications of lung cancer. I believe everyone should have a certain understanding of lung cancer. If you want to know more about lung cancer, please consult online experts.

For more information, please visit the lung cancer topic at http://www..com.cn/zhongliu/fa/ or consult an expert for free. The expert will then give a detailed answer based on the patient's specific situation.