Treatment for lung cancer is largely dependent on the location and size of the tumor (the patient’s ability to tolerate surgery is also a factor). If the disease is limited to a single lobe of the lung, a lobectomy can be performed. This is a procedure during which the affected lobe is surgically removed.

In this article, we’ll briefly present the tests used to determine staging for the disorder. We’ll also describe how video-assisted thorascopic surgery (VATS) is performed to remove the diseased lobe.

Tests To Determine Staging For Lung Cancer

Several studies are performed to diagnose lung cancer, and identify the extent of metastasis (the disease’s spread from its initial location). Following a physical examination, chest x-rays are taken. The images can display abnormal masses that might indicate tumors. Since X-rays are often normal, additional tests are usually necessary.

A CT scan can be used to generate 3-dimensional images of the lungs. While these images are rarely conclusive, they may reveal masses that warrant retrieval of a tissue sample. A PET scan serves the same purpose, but is particularly helpful in displaying tumors that are growing. If the doctor suspects NSCLC has metastasized to other areas of the body (e.g. liver, brain, etc.), CT scans are taken of these areas, as well.

Tissue samples can be retrieved via a bronchoscopy or needle biopsy. The former is performed when cancer cells are detected in the air passages. The latter is done when a tumor is detected in an area that lies beyond the reach of a bronchoscopy.

How VATS Lobectomy Is Performed

Traditionally, a lobectomy has been performed through thoracotomy. A single long incision is made into the patient’s chest. Several major muscles are cut, and the ribs are spread apart to provide the surgeon access to the diseased lobe. This approach is still practiced today when less-invasive measures are not possible.

A VATS lobectomy is an alternative approach that does not require cutting through major muscles. Nor does it require spreading the ribs. Instead, three or four smaller incisions are made, and the surgeon works through the ribs.

Several instruments, including a thoracoscope (small video camera), are inserted through the incisions. The thoracoscope sends a video feed to a monitor watched by the surgeon. The images provide the surgeon with visualization, so the diseased lobe can be cut away from the lung, and removed through one of the incisions. The rest of the chest cavity is checked for bleeding before the incisions are closed.

Advantages Of VATS Lobectomy Over Conventional Thoracic Surgery

Because VATS lobectomy is less invasive than thoracotomy, the patient experiences less pain following the procedure. There’s also less likelihood of infection and other complications. Less trauma to the chest wall also means the time spent in the hospital is reduced to a few days. At-home recovery time is likewise significantly shortened.

How Candidates Are Selected For The Procedure

Despite the benefits of video-assisted lobectomy, not all patients are considered suitable candidates for the procedure. Certain criteria must be met for the operation to be successful. The tumor must be localized to a single lobe, and have a diameter measuring no more than 3 centimeters. Ideally, it should also be located away from air passages and lymph nodes. If the tumor does not meet these requirements, the pulmonologist may suggest a traditional approach.

VATS lobectomy has become an increasingly popular alternative to thoracotomy. When performed by an experienced surgeon, the procedure is successful in removing cancer cells with a minimal chance of recurrence.

Find more information at CVTSA about lung cancer treatments. Early diagnosis can lead to successful results. Other information Check out Health Facts

Knowing it’s so bad, why do so many people still do it? It’s because nicotine is very addictive. Nicotine is found naturally in tobacco, and it is just as addictive as hard drugs like cocaine and heroin. That means that even if you decide you want to quit, it can be really hard to do so because your body goes through some very unpleasant withdrawal symptoms, like irritability, jitters, headaches, and more.

Because smoking causes over 440,000 deaths every year in the United States, it is important to decide that the withdrawal is worth it, because you can live longer and be healthier. So, what are some ways to be successful at quitting smoking?

Pick a quit date and stick to it. Whether you decide to quit cold turkey or to taper off your smoking to nothing, it is important that you are in the right mindset to quit. If you are not, there is no way you will be successful. In some cases, people choose to go with a nicotine replacement therapy like the gum or the patch, so that they still get the nicotine they are addicted to, but they stop the smoking behavior first. Why should that matter? Because for many, the actual habit of smoking cigarettes is almost as addictive as the nicotine.

The idea behind nicotine replacement therapy is that you still ingest the nicotine when you would normally, but you do it without lighting up a cigarette. The immediate benefit of this is clear – you are no longer inhaling all those toxic chemicals that put you at risk for cancer and other diseases, and you smell better right away. The downside is that you are still addicted to nicotine, and the nicotine you’re getting is not nearly as satisfying as the cigarettes you’re trying to quit.

Another option is to go with a drug that helps control your reaction to cigarettes. The drug comes in pill form and it interferes with the part of the brain that enjoys the nicotine. That way, when you smoke, you don’t like it as much, and hopefully your brain will figure out that smoking is bad and that you don’t want to do it anymore.

If you are against taking pills, and find the nicotine replacement idea unsavory or cost-prohibitive, there is always the option of quitting cold turkey. It’s harder, and it takes a lot of will power, but many people have found success in changing their eating habits at the same time, and beginning an exercise regimen. The idea is to replace the bad habits with good habits, and the good habits will tell your body that you don’t want to poison it anymore.
Whichever method you choose, it’s important to quit smoking as soon as possible. The sooner you quit, the less likely are to suffer the long-term effects.

Find out more inormation from 7books.net and ihowtovideos.com

Minimally invasive techniques that preclude spreading the ribs are being used with more regularity. There is less scarring involved because the incisions are smaller, and less postoperative pain because the procedure is less traumatic. Blood loss can usually be kept to a minimum, which means there is far less chance of excessive bleeding.

Below, we’ll explain what types of LC are addressed with a minimally invasive approach. You’ll also learn about the tests that are performed prior to the operation, and what to expect during your recovery.

Eligibility For Minimally Invasive Lung Cancer Surgery

A minimally invasive strategy is only used for early stage lung cancer. In Stage I, the cancerous cells are still confined to the lung. That allows the surgeon to perform video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) to remove a section of diseased tissue, a lobe, or the entire organ.

The approach is seldom taken for later stages of LC, even if the diseased cells are still confined within the chest (as in Stage II). Once the cancer spreads to other areas, a systemic approach must be taken. That typically requires chemotherapy, radiation treatment, and even use of alternative medications.

Tests That Are Performed Prior To Surgery

A number of preoperative tests can be performed to determine what stage the disease is in and the size of the tumors. These tests are usually done three or four weeks prior to treatment. It is during this time that the surgeon will decide whether minimally invasive lung cancer surgery is appropriate.

A physical examination is performed, and chest X-rays are taken. A CT (computed tomography) scan and a PET (positron emission tomography) scan are also done. Blood tests, an electrocardiogram, and a spirometry (for testing pulmonary function) are performed to provide more clarity with regard to staging the disease.

Once your surgeon has confirmed that you are a good candidate, a surgery date is selected.

Recovering After The Operation

The length of your recovery period will be dictated, in part, by the type of procedure you undergo. For example, if you are having a VATS lobectomy performed, you can expect to stay in the hospital for three to five days. A VATS pneumonectomy may require an extra two days. Once you leave the hospital, expect to spend up to six weeks (though as few as three) recovering before returning to your normal routine. You should wait an additional two to three weeks before resuming strenuous activities.

Your surgeon will want to schedule a follow-up appointment within a couple of weeks following the operation. At that time, the incisions will be examined and your initial recovery will be assessed.

If you suffer from early stage lung cancer, a minimally invasive surgical approach is usually the best option. As always, consult your doctor for guidance.

Find the right doctor for lung cancer treatments or mitral valve repair. Early diagnosis can lead to successful results.

In this article, we’ll explore how the inhalation of smoke from tobacco products can lead to lung cancer. We’ll describe some of the potent chemicals contained within the smoke, and their effect on your body. You’ll also discover the different types of LC that can emerge after prolonged exposure to cigarette smoke, and the immediate and long-term effects of quitting the habit.

Known Carcinogens Within Cigarettes

Most people who smoke do so because the habit helps them “take the edge off,” reduce their stress level, and help them relax. These sensations are the result of the chemicals contained in cigarettes. According to the National Cancer Institute, there are over 4,000 chemicals within tobacco smoke; 250 of them are known to be harmful. They include carbon monoxide, ammonia, and hydrogen cyanide.

Of the 250 harmful chemicals, over 50 of them are known carcinogens (i.e. chemicals that trigger cancerous cells). These include nickel, cadmium, arsenic, and vinyl chloride. Some of the carcinogens have other uses, including the production of batteries, plastics, pesticides, and gasoline. Inhaling them while smoking exposes your lung tissue to these toxins.

Tobacco Smoke And Lung Cancer Types

Smoking can cause both small cell and non-small cell lung cancers (SCLC and NSCLC, respectively). As a side note, non-smokers can also develop NSCLC.

One out of five diagnosed cases (for smokers) are SCLC. This form of the disease metastasizes quickly and is often asymptomatic during its early stages. That makes diagnosing and treating it problematic. In fact, unlike the four stages of NSCLC, there are only two stages for SCLC: limited and extensive.

There are three main types of non-small cell LC: large cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and adenocarcinoma. Large cell carcinoma is less common than the other two types; it is only responsible for one out of ten cases. In contrast, squamous cell carcinoma makes up a third of diagnosed NSCLC cases. Adenocarcinoma accounts for half of diagnosed cases, and affects both smokers and non-smokers.

The Effects Of Quitting

Smokers under the age of thirty who quit the habit can reduce the likelihood of developing lung cancer by nearly 90%. Those under fifty can cut the odds by half.

Quitting has an immediate effect on your blood pressure and heart. Plus, carbon monoxide levels within your blood begin declining within hours of quitting. That raises the level of oxygen that can be delivered throughout your body.

Even if you quit, there is still a chance cancerous cells will develop. The likelihood of this occurring depends on how many years you have smoked, the age at which you started, and how many cigarettes you smoked on a daily basis. The takeaway is that quitting dramatically reduces your vulnerability to lung cancer. And the sooner you do so, the better.

Find the right doctor for lung cancer treatments or Richmond Va Chiropractors. Early diagnosis can lead to successful results.

Traditionally, these surgeries were accomplished through thoracotomy – or, opening the chest. The doctor would make a long incision (up to ten inches) beginning in the back and crossing over to the patient’s side. The ribs needed to be removed or spread in order to provide the surgeon access to the site. The process is physically traumatic and requires a lengthy recovery time.

Over the past decade, surgeons have increasingly relied on minimally invasive techniques to perform the same operations. While a pneumonectomy still requires open-chest surgery, wedge resections and lobectomies can be accomplished through video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS). Below, we’ll describe the aftereffects of using VATS to treat lung cancer.

Same Operation, Different Approach

It’s important to realize that surgeons who use VATS are performing the same operations that were traditionally accomplished by opening the chest. The difference is, they are using much smaller incisions to access the site and remove diseased tissue. A camera is inserted through one of the incisions while surgical tools are inserted through the others. The doctor inspects the site on a video monitor while guiding the tools to perform the resection or lobectomy. There is no need to spread the ribs or cut through the muscles.

Advantages Of Minimally Invasive Wedge Resections And Lobectomies

There are several benefits to using VATS because the procedure is far less traumatic to the patient’s body. There is less chance of bleeding and infection that is characteristic of open-chest surgery. There is also less postoperative pain for the patient as she recovers. Patients who undergo lung cancer VATS surgery will often enjoy better lung function and more stamina than those who undergo traditional thoracotomy. And because VATS resections and lobectomies do not require cutting through muscles and bone in order to reach the diseased lung tissue, shoulder function is less impaired.

Faster Recovery

Thoracic surgery usually requires up to eight weeks of recovery time. Patients will stay in the hospital for up to ten days before being released and returning home. Patients who undergo minimally invasive lung cancer surgery can often be released from the hospital after one or two days. Depending on their preoperative condition, many resume their normal daily activities within seven to ten days.

The minimally invasive procedure requires more time to perform than traditional thoracotomy. Surgeons take great care to move muscles out of the way rather than cutting through them to gain access to the cancerous lung tissue. While VATS is currently limited to wedge resections and lobectomies, it may one day be possible to use similar technology in performing pneumonectomies.

Find the right doctor for lung cancer treatments or mitral valve surgery. Early diagnosis can lead to successful results.

Below, we’ll focus primarily on non-surgical paths toward removing lung cancer. We’ll describe when each approach is used, how it is administered, and how it works to help eliminate cancerous cells.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is administered (usually intravenously or orally) when lung cancer has spread to other sites throughout your body. It is considered a systemic approach because it kills diseased cells wherever they exist. Doctors will also rely upon chemotherapy to help reduce the size of a tumor prior to surgically removing it. By itself, chemotherapy seldom functions as a solution. Instead, it is used in conjunction with surgery or to prolong the life of a patient with late stage, incurable lung cancer.

Radiation Therapy

As its name implies, radiation therapy uses radiation to treat lung cancer. The rays damage the cancerous cells’ DNA, preventing them from dividing (and thus, spreading) or killing them. Like chemotherapy, it is rarely used by itself, except in cases where the patient’s health is too fragile for other treatment paths. Instead, radiation therapy is normally combined with other forms of treatment, and is often administered both before and after surgery. While it is usually used for non-small cell lung cancer, it can also be effective in small-cell cases.

Targeted Therapies

Newer medications are being used liberally in order to target cancerous cells. They are called targeted therapies. Some of them focus on the proteins of diseased cells while others locate non-diseased cells that are in the process of being used to help spread the cancer. Even though targeted therapies are typically used with chemotherapy and radiation therapy, they also offer an alternative to those approaches. Medications such as Tarceva and Avastin carry fewer side effects.

It’s worth noting that most targeted therapies used today are reserved for stage 3 and 4 lung cancer. That will likely change in the future as newer medications are introduced and new approaches to eliminating tumors are discovered (e.g. severing the blood supply to the tumor, etc.)

Surgical Options

The use of chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and the increasing tide of targeted therapies does not preclude surgery. In fact, surgery is usually necessary to remove the tumor from the lung. The non-surgical approaches described above are effective when the cancer has moved outside the lungs and chest, and begun to penetrate other sites.

Consult with your physician. He or she can determine the best form of treatment, given the stage of lung cancer from which you’re suffering, and your health. If surgery is necessary, ask your doctor whether a minimally invasive approach is possible.

Find the right doctor for lung cancer treatments or mitral valve surgery. Early diagnosis can lead to successful results.