LCLC can cause other effects as the disease progresses.
The symptoms include dyspnea, and pain in the chest or side that gets worse with a deep breath.
LCLC cells can also secrete hormone-like substances that causeparaneoplastic syndromes.
PEIR Digital Library / Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain
The substances trigger theimmune systemto attack certain cells of the body.
Paraneoplastic syndromes can cause symptoms like slurred speech, impaired coordination, and difficulty walking orswallowing.
In men, it can also cause enlargement of the breasts, known asgynecomastia.
Exposure to radon in the home is the second leading risk factor for lung cancer.
Diagnosis
Lung cancer is often detected with a chest X-ray.
A biopsy may also be performed during bronchoscopy if there are visible signs of possible cancer in the airways.
The definitive diagnosis of LCLC can be made by examination of the biopsied cells under a microscope.
Undifferentiated cancer cells like LCLC (also referred to as anaplastic cells) tend todivide and spread rapidly.
Stages
The extent and severity of lung cancer is broken down into four stages.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapymay be used on its own or along with surgery.
Likewise, chemo may be used with or without radiation therapy.
Chemotherapy medications commonly used to treat LCLC include Altima (pemetrexed) and Platinol (cisplatin).
Molecular profiling is recommended for everyone with advanced NSCLC, including LCLC.
While targeted drugs do not cure lung cancer, they can keep the malignancy in check.
After an initial response, almost universally, resistance develops and the drug no longer works.
When that happens, second-generation and, in some cases, third generation drugs can be used.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapymay be used to treat lung cancer in a number of different ways.
SBRT may also be used to treat isolated metastases due to lung cancer, includingthose in the brain.
These drugs work byharnessing the body’s own immune systemin the fight against cancer.
With that said, newer therapies have started to improve survival times, even for advanced disease.
Coping
A diagnosis of lung cancer can be frightening and make you feel very alone.
Allow your loved ones to support you.
Many people have no idea how to react to someone who has been diagnosed with cancer.
Letting people know specific things they can do can help provide you with extra support when you need it.
Consider joining alung cancer support group, either through your treatment center or online.
Most importantly, remember that you are the captain of this journey.
No matter what others have experienced or recommend, you ultimately know what is best for you.
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