Chemotherapy for lung cancer: what you need to know Lung cancer is a serious disease that requires chemotherapy. To date, chemotherapy is one of the most demanded procedures, which is conducted with cancer. It can be used as a primary or additional treatment.


Indications for chemotherapy

There are many factors that the doctor pays attention to before prescribing chemotherapy. First of all, pay attention to the size of the tumor, its stage and the rate of growth. Then take into account the presence of metastases and the hormonal status of the patient. It is very important at the same time to take into account the individual characteristics of the body: age, the presence of chronic diseases, general health.

The doctor should always determine the exact location of malignant cancerous tumors, as well as the condition of the lymph nodes. The risk and complications that may occur during treatment are also assessed. Most often, chemotherapy is prescribed for patients who suffer from choricarcinoma, leukemia, hemoblastosis, rhabdomyosarcoma and the like. Chemotherapy for lung cancer produces often good results.

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Contraindications for chemotherapy for lung cancer

Contraindications to chemotherapy may be many. In no case should this method of treatment be used when the body is intoxicated. After all, the introduction of drugs can cause irreparable harm to the patient's body. Also it is impossible to do chemotherapy if the metastases went to the liver and kidneys. With an increased level of bilirubin, the procedure is also prohibited.

If metastases spread to the brain or if the patient suffers from cachexia, then chemotherapy will be ineffective. Before the appointment of treatment, the oncologist is conducting a detailed examination. The patient needs to undergo a lot of tests and take many tests.

Chemotherapy course for lung cancer

The course of chemotherapy for each patient is made individually. The doctor takes into account the size of the tumor, the stage of its development, the location of the localization and the presence of metastases. Typically, the course consists of several drugs. These drugs are administered in cycles with interruptions of 3-5 weeks. Such a period of time is needed to ensure that the body and the immune system can recover. Depending on the patient's condition, the doctor can make adjustments to the treatment plan.

During treatment sometimes it is necessary to correct a food. You can not drink alcohol. It is forbidden to visit the sauna and bath, because in such places the moisture from the body is too lost. It is recommended to drink as much liquid as possible during treatment.

It should be understood that during the chemotherapy the immune system is greatly weakened, therefore the person is inclined to catarrhal diseases, and also to exacerbation of chronic ailments. That's why it is useful to drink various herbal decoctions for prevention. During treatment, the patient must constantly undergo examinations and take tests. It is necessary to monitor the kidneys and liver. Changes in the hormonal background are possible.

The number of courses will depend on the effectiveness of the treatment. The optimal number of courses is 4-6.In this case, the body will not be harmed much, and it will be able to recover independently. If chemotherapy is ineffective, then it can be canceled.

Chemotherapy for lung metastases

Metastases significantly complicate treatment. After all, they can form in any organ, tissues and lymph nodes. With metastases, chemotherapy is performed with a single or complex drug. Most often, doctors use taxanes( abraxane, taxol and taxotere).Adriamycin and herceptin are good. Duration of treatment and all side effects are specified by the attending physician.

There are many useful chemotherapy regimens. Usually they are used in the following order: CAF, FAC, CEF or AC.Before using taxotere or taxol, steroid drugs are prescribed to reduce side effects. Treatment is carried out only under the supervision of specialists.

Chemotherapy for squamous cell lung cancer

In squamous cell lung cancer, chemotherapy has its own characteristics. This type of cancer occurs against the background of an epithelial tumor of the skin and mucous membranes of the skin that grow near the papillomas and moles in the form of a plaque. Such a disease often occurs against the background of skin cancer. Men are more susceptible to this form of the disease.

With this form of cancer, systemic therapy is used. During her use of such drugs: Methotrexate, Cisplatinum, Bleomycin. Radiotherapy is also prescribed. A scheme of combinations of drugs, including Taxol and remote gamma therapy, helps a lot. This allows you to achieve very good results. Efficacy depends on the stage of cancer. If the cancer was diagnosed at an early stage, then the probability of a full recovery is great.

Chemotherapy for pulmonary adenocarcinoma

Adenocarcenoma is the most common form of non-small cell lung cancer. Most often, the tumor develops from cells of glandular epithelium. At the initial stage, the disease is not manifested, develops slowly and is characterized by hematogenous metastasis. Without treatment, the tumor can double in half a year. This form of cancer affects women more often.

In adenocarcinoma, surgical intervention is prescribed. Additionally, chemotherapy or radiotherapy is prescribed. This helps reduce the risk of relapse. For the treatment of the most modern drugs and immunomodulators are used.

Chemotherapy regimens for lung cancer

For each patient, the physician individually selects a combination of drugs. Chemotherapy can be performed both before and after surgery. It can be the only cure. For chronic diseases, drugs are selected with extreme caution.

The effectiveness of the chemotherapy regimen is determined by many factors. These include the level of side effects, the presence of chronic diseases, the stage of the disease and the like. Ideally, side effects should be minimum after treatment. After all, several serious drugs are combined at once. It is very important that the selected drugs can be combined with each other.

Usually drugs are selected in a ratio of 30-65%.If you treat only one drug, it will be ineffective.

Side effects after chemotherapy for lung cancer

Adverse events after chemotherapy occur always. They can be different. In general, the cells of the circulatory system and blood are affected. A strong effect is on the gastrointestinal tract, hair bulbs, nose, appendages, mucous membranes, nails and skin. However, most side effects can be cured. Some take place immediately after the drug is discontinued.

Some side effects may occur after a while. For example, damage to the liver or kidney and other internal organs. Also sometimes there is an osteoporosis. It appears after using such drugs: fluorouracil, cyclophosphamide, methotrexate.

Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea occur immediately as treatment stops. The hairline also begins to recover after the treatment is withdrawn. At the patient during treatment there is a strong weakness and fast fatigue. Also, the immune system is weakened, so a person can easily catch a cold or flu.

Because of a clotting disorder, problems may occur. Often there is stomatitis, drowsiness, headache and other side effects.