What should I do if a 70-year-old man suffers from lung cancer?

The treatment of lung cancer requires a personalized plan based on the patient's specific situation, including surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy. Elderly patients over 70 years old need to consider their physical condition, tumor stage and tolerance to choose the most suitable treatment method. Early lung cancer can be removed surgically, while mid- and late-stage lung cancer can be combined with radiotherapy, chemotherapy or targeted therapy, while focusing on nutritional support and psychological counseling to improve the quality of life.

1. Surgical treatment: Suitable for patients with early-stage lung cancer. Lobectomy is a common method that can completely remove the tumor. For patients in poor physical condition, minimally invasive surgery or local resection can be selected to reduce trauma and recovery time. Cardiopulmonary function needs to be evaluated before surgery to ensure the safety of the operation.

2. Radiotherapy: Suitable for patients who cannot undergo surgery or need postoperative adjuvant therapy, high-energy radiation kills cancer cells. Elderly patients can choose stereotactic radiotherapy to accurately locate tumors and reduce damage to normal tissues. During radiotherapy, skin care and nutritional supplements should be taken to reduce side effects.

3. Chemotherapy: It uses drugs to inhibit the growth of cancer cells and is often used for advanced lung cancer. Elderly patients can choose low-dose chemotherapy or oral chemotherapy drugs to reduce toxic side effects. During chemotherapy, blood routine and liver and kidney function should be monitored regularly to adjust the treatment plan in a timely manner.

4. Targeted therapy: For lung cancer patients with specific gene mutations, targeted drugs are used to precisely inhibit cancer cells. Elderly patients can use genetic testing to determine whether they are suitable for targeted therapy. Common drugs include gefitinib, erlotinib, etc. Targeted therapy has fewer side effects, but regular review is required to monitor efficacy and drug resistance.

5. Immunotherapy: It activates the immune system to attack cancer cells and is suitable for some patients with advanced lung cancer. Elderly patients can choose PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors, such as pembrolizumab and nivolumab. Immunotherapy requires attention to immune-related adverse reactions and timely treatment.

6. Nutritional support: Lung cancer patients often suffer from loss of appetite and weight loss, so they need to increase their nutritional intake. It is recommended to eat a high-protein, high-calorie diet, such as eggs, fish, and soy products. Nutritional supplements can be used when necessary. Eat small meals frequently and avoid greasy and irritating foods.

7. Psychological counseling: The diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer may cause anxiety and depression. Elderly patients need to strengthen psychological support. Family members should accompany and encourage them more and seek professional psychological counseling when necessary. Maintaining a positive attitude will help improve treatment outcomes and quality of life.

8. Regular follow-up: Regular follow-up is required after treatment to monitor tumor recurrence and metastasis. Elderly patients can use imaging examinations such as CT and MRI combined with tumor marker testing to detect abnormalities in a timely manner. The frequency of follow-up is determined according to the condition and treatment plan, usually every 3-6 months.

The treatment of lung cancer requires a personalized plan based on the patient's age, physical condition and tumor characteristics. Through multidisciplinary comprehensive treatments such as surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy, the disease can be effectively controlled and survival can be prolonged. At the same time, nutritional support and psychological counseling should be emphasized to improve the quality of life of elderly patients. Regular review and follow-up should be performed to promptly detect and deal with recurrence or metastasis to ensure the effectiveness of treatment.