What methods can be used to treat lung cancer? The best treatment methods for lung cancer

The incidence of lung cancer is relatively high now. Air pollution, heavy smoking, high work pressure or other diseases that have not been effectively treated will increase the chance of lung cancer. So how can we better treat it after suffering from lung cancer? Let us now learn about the methods of treating lung cancer.

Treatments for lung cancer:

Chemotherapy

In the past two decades, tumor chemotherapy has developed rapidly and has been widely used. The efficacy of chemotherapy on small cell lung cancer is relatively certain, whether in the early or late stages, and there are even a few reports of radical cure; it also has a certain effect on non-small cell lung cancer, but it is only palliative and the effect needs to be further improved. In recent years, the role of chemotherapy in lung cancer is no longer limited to patients with advanced lung cancer who cannot undergo surgery, but is often included in the comprehensive treatment plan for lung cancer as a systemic treatment. Chemotherapy will inhibit the bone marrow hematopoietic system, mainly the decrease of white blood cells and platelets. It is best to combine it with traditional Chinese medicine and immunotherapy.

(I) Chemotherapy for small cell lung cancer Due to the biological characteristics of small cell lung cancer, it is generally recognized that chemotherapy should be the first choice except for a few patients with sufficient evidence showing no intrathoracic lymph node metastasis. 1. Indications (1) Patients with small cell lung cancer confirmed by pathology or cytology; (2) Patients with KS scores of 50-60 points or more; (3) Patients with an expected survival time of more than one month; (4) Patients ≤70 years old. 2. Contraindications (1) Elderly patients or cachexia; (2) Patients with severe heart, liver and kidney dysfunction; (3) Patients with poor bone marrow function, white blood cell count below 3×10^9/L and platelet count below 80×10^9/L (direct count); (4) Patients with complications and infection, fever and bleeding tendency, etc.

(II) Chemotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer Although there are many effective drugs for non-small cell lung cancer, the efficacy is low and complete remission is rarely achieved. 1. Indications: (1) Patients with stage III disease confirmed by pathology or cytology to have squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma or large cell carcinoma who cannot undergo surgery, and patients with postoperative recurrence and metastasis or stage III disease who are not suitable for surgery for other reasons; (2) Patients with the following conditions after surgical exploration and pathological examination: ① residual lesions; ② intrathoracic lymph node metastasis; ③ cancer thrombi in lymphatic vessels or thrombi; ④ poorly differentiated cancer; (3) Patients with pleural or pericardial effusion need local chemotherapy. 2. Contraindications: Same as small cell carcinoma.

Radiation therapy

(I) Treatment principles Radiotherapy is the best for small cell carcinoma, followed by squamous cell carcinoma, and the worst for adenocarcinoma. However, small cell carcinoma is prone to metastasis, so large-area irregular irradiation is often used. The irradiation area should include the primary lesion, the supraclavicular area on both sides of the mediastinum, and even the liver and brain, and should be supplemented with drug therapy. Squamous cell carcinoma is moderately sensitive to radiation, and the lesions are mainly local invasions, and metastasis is relatively slow, so radical treatment is often used. Adenocarcinoma is less sensitive to radiation and is prone to blood metastasis, so simple radiotherapy is rarely used.

(ii) There are many radiation complications, which may even cause partial functional loss; for patients with advanced tumors, the effect of radiotherapy is not perfect. At the same time, patients with poor physical condition and older age are not suitable for radiotherapy.

(III) Indications for radiotherapy are divided into radical treatment, palliative treatment, preoperative radiotherapy, postoperative radiotherapy and intracavitary radiotherapy according to the purpose of treatment.

Radical treatment

(1) Early-stage cases with surgical contraindications or refusal to undergo surgery, or IIIa cases with lesions limited to 150 cm; (2) Patients with basically normal heart, lung, liver, and kidney functions, white blood cell count greater than 3×10^9/L, and hemoglobin greater than 100g/L; (3) KS ≥ 60 points. A careful plan should be made in advance and strictly implemented. The treatment plan should not be changed easily. Even if there is a radiation reaction, the goal should be to cure the tumor.

After reading the above introduction, you have a general understanding of the methods that can be used to treat lung cancer. After suffering from lung cancer, you must establish a good attitude and actively cooperate with the doctor. Good results will be achieved based on early detection and early treatment.