Lungs' cancer. Causes, symptoms, stages, diagnosis and treatment of the disease. Lung Cancer - Symptoms, Signs, Stages, Diagnosis and Treatment First symptoms of early lung cancer
How to identify the first symptoms (signs) of lung cancer in men and women at an early stage
Lung cancer is a malignant degeneration that develops from the epithelium of the bronchi or lungs. Bronchogenic carcinoma (the second name of the disease) is characterized by rapid development and the formation of numerous metastases already in the early stages.
Spreading
The risk group includes the entire population of large cities and smokers.
Lung cancer is almost 10 times more likely to be diagnosed in men than in women, and the older the person, the greater the chance of developing the disease.
This is the most common tumor among Russian residents. The leaders in mortality rates among men are: Scotland, Holland, and England; among women, Hong Kong. At the same time, the disease is practically not found in Brazil, Guatemala, and Syria.
Origin of the disease
How exactly the degeneration of ordinary cells in oncological science occurs is not yet known exactly. It has been proven that this happens under the influence of chemicals - carcinogens. Degenerated cells divide non-stop, the tumor grows. When it reaches a sufficiently large size, it grows into nearby organs (heart, stomach, spine).
Metastases are formed from individual cancer cells that travel through the bloodstream and lymph to other organs. Most often, metastases are found in the lymph nodes, brain, liver, kidneys, and bones.
Causes of the disease
The main and only reason is damage to cell DNA under the influence of carcinogenic factors, namely:
- Smoking is the main factor causing up to 80% of cases. Tobacco smoke contains a huge amount of carcinogens, it also suppresses the immune system;
- radiation exposure- the second cause of cancer. Radiation damages cell genetics, causing mutations that lead to cancer;
- passive smoking– the main cause of cancer in non-smokers;
- work in hazardous industries– coal mining, metallurgical, woodworking, asbestos cement enterprises;
- chronic inflammation– pneumonia, chronic bronchitis. transferred tuberculosis, causing damage to the lung tissue. The more damage, the higher the percentage of cancer development;
- dusty air– with an increase in air dust content by 1%, the risk of tumor development increases by 15%;
- viruses - according to recent data, viruses have the ability to damage cellular DNA, which causes uncontrolled cell division.
First symptoms (signs)
The first symptoms are not characteristic and do not raise suspicion of cancer:
- Dry cough;
- lack of appetite ;
- weakness ;
- weight loss ;
- during the development of the disease appears gradually cough with sputum– purulent mucous membrane, with inclusions of blood;
- with tumor enlargement. when it reaches neighboring organs, it appears shortness of breath and chest pain .
Symptoms of early stage lung cancer
Symptoms at an early stage appear only with central cancer, when the tumor is located in the large bronchi:
- Cough . not lasting more than 2 weeks;
- increased fatigue and weakness;
- periodic slight increase in temperature for no apparent reason.
In peripheral cancer, when the tumor is located in the small bronchi or pulmonary parenchyma, the early stage of the disease is completely asymptomatic. The only way to detect cancer is regular fluorography.
Symptoms of lung cancer in women and men are identical.
A set of symptoms (signs) for lung cancer
- Pulmonary – cough, chest pain, hoarseness, shortness of breath;
- extrapulmonary – temperature stays just above 37°C, rapid weight loss, weakness, headache or hypochondrium pain;
- hormonal - increased blood calcium or low sodium, skin rash, thickening of finger joints. The primary diagnosis is established if at least one symptom is present in each complex.
Stages of lung cancer
Stage 1 – tumor less than 3 cm. Located within the boundaries of a segment of the lung or one bronchus. There are no metastases. Symptoms are subtle or non-existent.
Stage 2 – tumor up to 6 cm, located within the boundaries of a segment of the lung or bronchus. Single metastases in individual lymph nodes. Symptoms are more pronounced: hemoptysis, pain, weakness, and loss of appetite appear.
Stage 3 – the tumor exceeds 6 cm, penetrates into other parts of the lung or neighboring bronchi. Numerous metastases. Symptoms include blood in mucopurulent sputum and shortness of breath.
Stage 4 – the tumor grows beyond the lung. Metastases are extensive. Cancerous pleurisy develops. The symptoms are pronounced, and symptoms from neighboring affected systems (digestive, cardiovascular) are added. This is the last, incurable stage of the disease.
Kinds
- Small cell lung cancer– the most aggressively developing, rapidly growing and giving numerous metastases in the early stages. It is rare, usually in smokers.
- Squamous- the most common, develops slowly from flat epithelial cells.
- Adenocarcinoma - formed from mucous cells.
- Large cell– more often affects women. It has a poor prognosis and rapid death.
Diagnostics
- X-ray – in frontal and lateral projection. Helps detect darkening, displacement of organs, size of lymph nodes;
- CT scan– gives a more detailed picture, helps in identifying small tumors;
- bronchoscopy – an opportunity to see the condition of the bronchi from the inside and take material for a biopsy;
- needle biopsy– produced through the skin when the tumor is located in the small bronchi;
- cancer markers– specific markers are detected in the blood or tissues. A promising, but currently not very accurate method;
- tumor biopsy - studying the material under a microscope and detecting cancer cells. Gives the most accurate idea of the disease.
Differential diagnosis
Differentiation is carried out with pneumonia, benign tumors, tuberculosis, and lung cysts. It is usually difficult due to lung diseases accompanying cancer.
Do you have difficulty breathing, accompanied by a cough and a constant feeling of fatigue? Check out the symptoms of tuberculosis and find out how to get rid of this serious disease!
Differential diagnosis should be based only on a complete comprehensive examination, and the main role in this is played by biopsy.
Forecast
In general, the prognosis is unfavorable compared to other cancers. The prognosis is influenced by the stage of the tumor and the presence of metastases.
A favorable prognosis in half of the cases is possible only if the cancer is at an early stage and there are no metastases.
How long do you live with lung cancer?
- Without treatment almost 90% of patients do not survive more than 2–5 years after diagnosis of the disease;
- during surgical treatment 30% of patients have a chance to live more than 5 years;
- with a combination of surgery, radiation and chemotherapy Another 40% of patients have a chance to live more than 5 years.
Only early diagnosis of the disease makes it possible to cure and will allow you not to die in the next 5 years.
People at risk, especially smokers, should clearly remember the first signs of the disease and regularly undergo fluorography .
If you detect the first signs of lung cancer, as well as any ongoing pulmonary diseases, you should immediately contact a pulmonologist.
Content
According to statistics, more than 60 thousand cases of lung cancer are diagnosed every year in Russia. The majority of people at risk are people over 50 years of age. Smoking and air pollution are the main reasons that provoke the development of the disease. The outcome of treatment depends on the timely detection of a malignant tumor.
What is lung cancer
Today, among oncological diseases, lung cancer occupies a leading position. A malignant tumor is formed from the tissue of the lungs and bronchi. Manifestations of the disease depend on the location and form of the tumor.
There are 2 forms of the disease: central and peripheral. In the first case, cancerous tissue develops in areas where blood vessels and nerve endings are concentrated. The disease affects the large bronchi.
Symptoms of a central tumor appear early.
Among them, severe pain and hemoptysis are indicative. The life expectancy of patients is no more than 5 years.
It is difficult to detect peripheral lung cancer at an early stage. The tumor develops slowly. For a long time it has no external manifestations. The tumor affects the epithelium of small bronchi and pulmonary vesicles. The patient experiences pain at the 4th stage of the disease. Patients with this type of cancer live for about 10 years.
Signs of lung cancer do not differ between men and women.
It is extremely rare in children. The risk group includes babies whose mothers smoked during pregnancy and breastfeeding. In adolescents, the disease occurs more often and proceeds in the same way as in adults.
Symptoms of lung cancer at an early stage are not associated with disruption of the respiratory system. The first signs of the disease:
- disturbances in the functioning of the central nervous system - dizziness, fainting;
- skin problems – itching, dermatitis;
- subfebrile temperature – indicators 37.1–38° C;
- fatigue and weakness in the first half of the day.
Characteristic symptoms
The appearance of clear signs of a lung tumor is typical for late stages. The clinical picture is individual for each patient. It depends on the size of the tumor, the presence of metastases, and the rate of spread of cancer cells.
Temperature
Fever is a nonspecific symptom of a lung tumor. It accompanies many diseases. Long-term indicators of 37–38° C are the first sign of the disease.
Taking antipyretics does not give stable results.
After 2-3 days the fever starts again. At the next stages, it is joined by apathy, lethargy, and unmotivated fatigue.
Cough
A cough helps detect lung cancer. It is observed at all stages of the disease. Infrequent coughing at the initial stage gradually acquires an annoying paroxysmal character.
You should immediately consult a doctor if your cough persists for a month or more.
The symptom manifests itself in different ways. Characteristics of dry cough:
- practically inaudible;
- does not provide relief;
- There is no expectoration.
Physical activity, uncomfortable posture, and hypothermia cause severe coughing attacks. It is accompanied by pulmonary spasms, vomiting, and fainting. A short cough does not last long, but occurs frequently. It provokes intense contraction of the abdominal muscles.
Stages 1 and 2 of cancer are characterized by a dry cough. Strong wet – appears in stages 3 and 4.
No variations in the manifestation of this symptom are expressed in the peripheral form of the disease, which complicates diagnosis.
Sputum
Coughing up light, mucous sputum is a typical symptom of a lung tumor. Detection of blood in it is a reason for bronchoscopy and chest x-ray. In the later stages of the disease, about 200 ml of sputum is produced per day. In complex forms of cancer, it becomes purulent. The mucus takes on a crimson color and a jelly-like consistency.
Pain
Depending on the form of the disease, pain varies in nature and intensity. In most patients, they appear in the area where the tumor is located. In the last stages of lung cancer, the nerve endings are affected and the pain intensifies. When metastases spread, discomfort spreads throughout the body.
The pain can be girdling, stabbing, cutting.
Hypercortisolism syndrome
A tumor in the lungs causes severe hormonal imbalance in the patient’s body – hypercortisolism syndrome. It is characterized by the following symptoms:
- weight gain;
- the appearance of pink stripes on the skin;
- heavy hair growth.
Weight loss
At stage 3 of lung cancer, the patient’s weight decreases by 50%. The patient's nervous and digestive systems are disrupted. No appetite. Frequent vomiting occurs.
Exhaustion weakens the body and brings death closer.
Hemoptysis
At stage 2 of respiratory oncology, hemoptysis appears. Outwardly, it looks like blood streaks in the sputum or blood clots. The pathological phenomenon is associated with the destruction of the blood vessels of the bronchi and alveoli. The disintegration of the tumor causes pulmonary hemorrhage. The patient chokes on blood and coughs it up with a mouthful.
Diagnostics
The first symptoms of a lung tumor are similar to colds. The doctor’s task is to recognize nonspecific signs of lung cancer and prescribe a thorough examination of the patient. The effectiveness of treatment is guaranteed in the early stages of the disease.
Annual chest fluorography helps prevent this dangerous disease.
The examination is especially important for smokers and people employed in hazardous industries.
For a patient with suspected lung cancer, the following chest examinations are prescribed:
- x-ray– is the most common method;
- magnetic resonance imaging (MRI);
- computed tomography (CT)– rarely used as a primary method;
- biopsy– with its help you can determine not only the stage of development of the lesion, but also its type.
Additionally, the doctor prescribes urine and blood tests. The patient's sputum is examined. The results characterize the state of metabolic processes and the functionality of the patient’s internal organs.
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Oncological diseases of the respiratory system are among the most common. They are most often observed in people over 50 years of age. Pathological processes develop in the lungs in the peripheral parts, right, left, and center. The symptoms of its development depend on the location and stage of the disease.
The survival prognosis also depends on the form of tumor progression. At the first alarming symptoms, you should consult a doctor so that the disease does not spread further.
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Symptoms and stages of development of pathology
There are 2 forms of the disease: peripheral and central. Peripheral lung cancer does not have pronounced symptoms; they begin to appear only at the last stage. The central form involves damage to the lungs in places where nerve endings are concentrated, which is expressed in the appearance of the first signs:
- cough;
- chest pain;
- difficulty breathing;
- hemoptysis.
Symptoms of a malignant tumor appear depending on the phase of its development. The process of pathology progression takes place in 3 stages:
- 1. Biological- Some time passes between the appearance of a tumor and the appearance of the first signs.
- 2. Asymptomatic course of the disease- there are no external symptoms, pathological changes are visible only on an x-ray.
- 3. Clinical- characterized by the appearance of obvious signs of pathology.
Lung cancer in the picture
There are no external symptoms of the disease in the first and second stages. Even when the pathology develops to such an extent that it becomes visible on an x-ray (pictured), the person does not feel any special changes in his or her health, and there is no increase in temperature, despite the fact that the process has already started. Doctors explain this as follows: there are no nerve nodes in the organs of the respiratory system. Painful sensations occur only in advanced forms of the pathology. That is why diagnosing the disease at an early stage is almost impossible.
First signs
At the second and third stages of oncology development, the first signs appear. They can be mistaken for manifestations of chronic pulmonary diseases.
Nonspecific symptoms of lung cancer in adults include:
- weight loss;
- lethargy;
- loss of appetite;
- decreased performance;
- pale skin.
As the cancer develops, symptoms become similar to those of bronchitis, pneumonia and the common cold. The disease occurs with a temperature of up to 37-38 degrees. The patient becomes restless, hyperthermia lasts for a long time. A person begins to take antipyretic medications or traditional medicine. The fever subsides for a couple of days and then returns again.
The patient begins to feel a decrease in vitality and feels tired. All work and labor matters are carried out through force. It is possible that depression and loss of interest in the world around you and your favorite activities may occur. Added to all this is apathy and lethargy.
Characteristic signs of pathology begin to develop at the last stage. The progression of the disease is indicated by extrapulmonary symptoms that arise due to metastasis. Such manifestations include:
- back pain;
- kidney diseases;
- digestive tract disorders.
Cough as a sign of cancer
This symptom may bother the patient extremely rarely, but then it intensifies and becomes paroxysmal. Cough with lung cancer occurs:
- short, frequent;
- strong, rolling attacks, leading the patient to fainting;
- dry, and when a person coughs, there is no relief.
Cough may not be observed in the peripheral form of the pathology. If it is present and does not go away for more than a month, the cause is lung cancer.
Discharge of blood and sputum
If sputum is released when you cough, this may be a sign of the pathology in question. This is mucus that accumulates in the last stage of the disease in quantities of up to 1/5 liter per day. Discharge in an advanced stage of oncology looks like a purulent-mucous mixture of bright red color with a jelly-like consistency.
There may be wheezing in the hemoptysis and lungs. Blood may be speckled or appear as pink foam. A cough characterized by the discharge of blood is often classified as an infectious disease, such as tuberculosis. But this is a symptom of oncology.
To identify the exact cause of coughing up blood, a procedure called bronchoscopy is prescribed. If the diagnosis is confirmed, then such a symptom does not leave the patient throughout his life.
In the advanced stage of the disease, pulmonary hemorrhage is possible. The cancer patient will spit out blood that fills the entire oral cavity. In this case, urgent medical attention is required.
Pain due to cancer
Painful sensations from cancerous tumors do not always occur at the site of their appearance. When the intercostal nerves are involved in the process, the discomfort is especially severe and is not eliminated by painkillers. There are three types of pain:
- encircling;
- piercing;
- cutting.
Cancer metastases occur during the pre-death period. Unhealthy cells are carried throughout the body through the blood, so a person feels pain in the following places:
- lower limbs;
- back;
- hands;
- digestive organs;
- shoulders.
When pain appears, changes occur in a person’s appearance: the face becomes gray, yellowing of the proteins and skin is observed. Large areas of swelling may occur and the neck and face may appear swollen. Pigment spots appear in the chest area, which hurt when touched.
Lung cancer is a malignant neoplasm of epithelial origin, developing from the mucous membranes of the bronchial tree or alveolar tissue. Modern medicine is trying to find positive methods for treating this disease, but the mortality rate from this disease has now reached 85% and is one of the highest among cancer diseases.
Determining the stage of lung cancer is necessary in order to understand how widely the tumor has spread in the human body. In modern medical practice, lung cancer has 4 stages of the disease.
When determining the degree of lung cancer, it is necessary to take into account the size of the tumor, how deep its penetration into the walls of the organ, whether neighboring organs are affected and how deeply the lymph nodes are affected by metastases, damage to distant internal organs.
Stage 1 lung cancer
Initial stage of lung cancer – the most favorable in terms of its prognosis and treatment of the patient. insignificant in size and has a size of up to 3 cm, which has not yet become widespread in, that is, it has not given. in the early stages there may be a location in one part of the lung or within the bronchial region. The initial stage of lung cancer does not metastasize. Stage 1 lung cancer can be recognized only in 16% of patients.
When determining a particular treatment method, doctors, first of all, pay detailed attention to the stage of the process. During the course of the disease, the stage of cancer cannot change, as it is necessary to assess the prognosis. After completing a course of treatment, the extent of cancer in the body may decrease, but the stage initially established in the diagnosis rarely changes.
It is quite difficult to recognize stage 1 lung cancer, since the tumor is still so small that it practically does not make itself felt. One of the most alarming symptoms is a cough, the manifestation of which begins in the form of a sore throat, which constantly intensifies and is subsequently accompanied by the discharge of sputum.
At each stage of the malignant process, there are symptoms and signs of the disease that should be paid special attention to.
Symptoms of stage 1 lung cancer
Symptoms of the disease
The first symptoms of lung cancer that you should pay attention to:
- cough that doesn't go away;
- dyspnea
- general weakness of the body;
- deterioration or loss of appetite;
- rapid weight loss;
- sweating;
- causeless change of mood;
- development of depression;
- increase in body temperature.
I would like to note that a constant cough, shortness of breath and wheezing are the first signs of lung cancer only conditionally, since they are the ones that force the patient to visit a doctor. In fact, this symptomatology indicates the transition of the cancer to a more severe stage.
Signs of lung cancer:
- decreased vitality;
- apathy;
- lethargy;
- causeless, periodic increase in body temperature.
The latter often complicates diagnosis, since cancer in this case is mistaken for chronic bronchitis or pneumonia.
Stage 1 lung cancer: diagnosis and treatment
In specialized oncology centers, diagnosis begins with a study of the medical history. The doctor is obliged to carefully study the information about what pulmonary diseases the patient has had, whether he smokes, and if “yes,” then how long this has been happening. In addition, the presence of cancer in the patient’s family is determined.
- X-ray;
- ultrasonic examination (ultrasound);
- bronchoscopy;
- blood tests, detailed analysis;
- computed tomography (CT);
- sputum examination.
Treatment of early stage lung cancer
There are a number of basic methods that can be used independently or in conjunction with each other:
- surgical;
- radiation therapy;
- chemotherapy.
Survival rate at stage 1 is 43-58%. The situation is much worse if symptoms last more than 9 months. In this case, about 75% of patients are difficult to treat.
Lung cancer stage 2
Patients who have stage 2 lung cancer, experience symptoms similar to those of colds. At stage 2, the tumor reaches a size of more than 5 cm. In patients with stage 2, the focus of the disease can be located in one part of the lung or within the bronchus area. At this stage, single metastases may be observed.
Lung affected by tumor
Often, patients do not pay attention to symptoms such as cough, shortness of breath and self-medicate, in the hope that a lingering cold will go away over time. However, the disease does not go away, but most likely the opposite. New unpleasant symptoms and pain appear. This is already an alarming signal, and in some cases, the main symptom of lung cancer.
Despite all this, stage 2 lung cancer can be asymptomatic, so very often treatment assistance is provided with a delay.
Symptoms and manifestations of lung cancer at stage 2
Symptoms to look out for in stage 2 lung cancer:
- cough, prolonged, untreatable;
- pain in the chest when taking a deep breath;
- change in voice (hoarseness);
- sudden weight loss and poor appetite;
- dyspnea;
- long-term pulmonary diseases (bronchitis, pneumonia), recurring at short intervals.
Despite all the above symptoms, they are not always lung cancer. Often, such symptoms are very common in people who smoke or are experienced smokers. But if the cancerous tumor begins to progress and extend beyond the lungs, then these symptoms are accompanied by a number of the following more significant symptoms, such as:
- swollen lymph nodes;
- bone pain;
- change in skin color (skin becomes more yellow).
If you have such symptoms, you should immediately consult an oncologist.
As mentioned earlier that the main causes of lung cancer are:
- smoking;
- air pollution;
- carcinogens (working with harmful substances);
- genetic predisposition;
- pulmonary diseases.
Diagnosis and treatment
Diagnosis of lung cancer at stage 2 consists of:
- Positron emission tomography;
- chest radiography;
- CT and MRI;
- bronchoscopy;
- biochemical blood test.
These diagnostic methods are necessary to identify and carefully study zones in the lung tissues, establishing the location and size of the cancer.
Treatment of lung cancer at stage 2
At the second stage of lung cancer, surgical treatment is most often used. In this case, this is one of the most effective methods, which allows you to completely remove the tumor, since metastases appear only at stage 3.
There are people for whom surgery is contraindicated - these are elderly people or patients with other diseases that are a direct contraindication to surgery.
Chemotherapy, which is prescribed before and after surgery, also has its important place.
There are such methods of treatment as radiation and medication. The doctor determines what method to treat the patient individually.
Important! In case of cancer, the choice of treatment method is made in favor of saving and prolonging the patient’s life.
How long do stage 2 patients live?
According to statistical data, when 50-70% of patients survive the 5-year mark.
- In the early stages of the disease, after surgery, about 40% of patients will be able to live for 5 years.
- The prognosis is 15% with a survival rate of 5 years.
Lung cancer stage 3
– is one of the most common causes of death in cancer. A patient who consults a doctor in the early stages increases the chances of his recovery, but very often the early stages are asymptomatic and only when symptoms and signs of the disease appear does a person seek medical help. Often this moment comes when the disease reaches stage 3 or 4.
Lung cancer stage 3 reaches ever larger sizes. During this period, the tumor affects the adjacent lobe of the lung and grows into the adjacent bronchus or main bronchus. In stage three lung cancer, metastases are found in the lymph nodes in even larger quantities.
In turn, stage 3 is divided into two substages:
- stage 3A reaches 7 cm or more in diameter, has spread to neighboring lymph nodes and organs. This size of the tumor may obstruct the passage of air through the airways;
- stage 3B – a malignant neoplasm grows into the lymph nodes on the opposite side of the sternum, onto the diaphragm, mediastinum, lining of the heart, etc.
Symptoms and signs of stage 3
Symptoms and signs of stage 3 lung cancer:
- prolonged persistent cough;
- chest pain that gets worse when you inhale;
- shoulder pain with numbness in fingers;
- sudden weight loss and loss of appetite;
- sputum streaked with blood and pus;
- shortness of breath and fever for no apparent reason;
- frequently recurring upper respiratory tract infections (bronchitis and pneumonia);
- the appearance of wheezing in the lungs;
- headaches, dizziness, speech and vision disorders.
Diagnosis and treatment of stage 3 lung cancer
Diagnosis of stage 3 lung cancer completely coincides with diagnostic methods in the initial stages.
Treatment of stage 3 lung cancer includes methods such as:
- chemotherapy;
- radiation therapy;
- surgical intervention;
The result and effectiveness of treatment depends on the severity of the disease. The main treatment method for stage 3 lung cancer is chemotherapy in the preoperative period followed by surgery. The effectiveness of treatment appears only after 2-3 cycles of chemotherapy.
Stage 3 lung cancer, how long do patients with this disease live?
- Survival rate is only 25% of patients.
- For small cell lung cancer, the prognosis is less than 25%.
Stage 4 lung cancer: signs and symptoms
Lung cancer is the leader among all cancers. Over the past few years, lung oncology has increased several times. The largest number of people suffering from this disease live in industrialized countries. The peculiarity of this disease is the variety of clinical forms and the tendency to rapid metastasis.
Smoking, alcohol abuse, exposure to radiation, and carcinogens are the most unfavorable factors in the progression of the disease.
Lung cancer stage 4, At this stage, uncontrolled processes of spread of malignant cells throughout the body occur. Metastases damage all organs of the human body and during this period new foci of malignant neoplasms are formed. Metastases reach and other organs.
Lung cancer
The last stage of lung cancer and its clinical picture:
- severe paroxysmal cough, which is present throughout the illness;
- hemoptysis (streaks of blood are found in the sputum, then the sputum becomes brighter in color and contains pus);
- pain in the chest area increases each time and becomes more severe, mainly from the affected segment;
- shortness of breath progresses, angina begins to develop, and heart problems appear;
- severe bleeding from the respiratory tract.
All these symptoms are due to the fact that the main parts of the lung stop supplying oxygen to the body. Digestive disorders occur, and the passage of food through the esophagus affected by metastases becomes difficult.
Diagnosis and treatment at stage 4
Stage 4 lung cancer is confirmed by the following diagnostic procedures:
- general clinical diagnostics;
- chest x-ray;
- cytological examination of sputum, carried out in 5-6 stages;
- biopsy and puncture of bronchial tissue;
- Ultrasound of the chest cavity;
- percutaneous puncture of the tumor;
- laboratory research.
Treatment for stage 4 lung cancer is mainly palliative and symptomatic. The main task of the oncologist is to limit the spread of malignancy, reduce the rate of tumor growth, preserve the functioning of organs, and prevent life-threatening complications
Main methods of treatment:
- palliative surgical operations;
- hormone therapy;
- and etc.
Radiation therapy is often performed to reduce the tumor and alleviate the patient's condition. In some cases, it may be supplemented with chemotherapy. With the development of pleurisy and damage to the pleura by metastases, thoracentesis is recommended to reduce the amount of fluid in the lungs.
Also, in order to improve methods of treating cancer in later stages, it led to the use of new methods of treating oncology:
- chemo-radioembolization;
- use of monoclonal antibodies;
- radiofrequency ablation;
- individual antitumor vaccines.
After using the latest treatment methods, patients can maintain employment and communication opportunities. An important method of alleviating the patient's condition is pain relief therapy.
At the end of the course of treatment, the patient must be regularly monitored by an oncologist. This is necessary for timely detection of a possible relapse. A mandatory condition is a smoking ban.
The prognosis for stage 4 lung cancer is very dismal. In many cases this is fatal.
A diagnosis of cancer sounds like a terrible death sentence for many, but is it so? The term “cancer” has been known since the time of Hippocrates, who called diseases of the breast and other organs “cancer” (translated from Greek as “crab”, “cancer”). This name is due to the fact that the neoplasms, like claws, grew deep into the tissue, which in appearance resembled a crab.
Cancer, a group of diseases that affect all systems, organs and tissues of a person, is characterized by the rapid growth of atypical cells that form over a long period of time from one normal cell under the influence of various factors, their penetration and spread into surrounding organs.
Some statistics! Around the world in 2012 there were approximately 14 million cases of cancer and about 8 million deaths from this disease. Lung cancer accounted for 13% of the incidence rate, becoming the most common cause of death from cancer and accounting for about 20% of all deaths from neoplasms. WHO estimates that in 30 years the prevalence of lung cancer will double. Russia and Ukraine are in second place in Europe in terms of mortality from lung cancer.
Such a high mortality rate from lung cancer is due to the fact that most often the diagnosis is made in the later stages of the disease due to poor visualization of the respiratory organs, so it is very important to detect the disease in time, which will increase the chances of recovery.
Interesting fact! Men get lung cancer 10 times more often than women, and the incidence increases with age. Therefore, with the aging of the population (and today in many European countries the number of elderly people is higher than young people), the incidence of cancer also increases.
The problem of lung cancer is closely intertwined with the spread of tobacco smoking among all groups of the population, the state of the environment, and the spread of viral and other infectious diseases. Therefore, the prevention of cancer is the destiny of not only each individual, but also the public as a whole.
Anatomy of the lungs
Topographic anatomy of the lungs
The lungs are a paired respiratory organ that supplies the blood with oxygen and removes carbon dioxide. The lungs occupy 80% of the chest cavity. Lung structure 
Lung skeleton poses bronchial tree, consisting of: trachea; left and right main bronchi; lobar bronchi; segmental bronchi. The lung tissue itself consists of slices, which are formed from acini, directly carrying out the breathing process.
The lungs are covered with pleura, which is a separate organ that protects the lung from friction during breathing. The pleura consists of two layers (parietal and visceral), between which the pleural sac is formed (normally it is not visible). A small amount of secretion is normally released through the pores of the pleura, which is a kind of “lubricant” that reduces friction between the parietal and visceral pleura.
With lesions of the pleura, exudate (liquid) can be determined:
- serous, serous-purulent, purulent fluid - pleurisy,
- blood (hemorrhagic exudate) – hemithorax,
- air (pneumothorax).
The root of the lung is formed by:
- main bronchus;
- pulmonary arteries and veins;
- bronchial arteries and veins;
- lymphatic vessels and nodes.
The mediastinum is a group of anatomical structures located between the pleural cavities. In order to describe the process, its localization, prevalence, and determine the scope of surgical operations, it is necessary to divide the mediastinum into upper and lower floors.
The superior mediastinum includes:
- thymus gland (thymus);
- vessels: part of the superior vena cava, aortic arch, brachiocephalic veins;
- trachea;
- esophagus;
- thoracic lymphatic vessel;
- nerve trunks: vagus, phrenic, nerve plexuses of organs and blood vessels.
- heart, aorta and other vessels;
- The lymph nodes;
- pericardium;
- trachea;
- esophagus;
- nerve trunks.
X-ray anatomy of the lungs
Radiography is the layering of all projections of organs on X-ray film in a two-dimensional image. On radiographs, dense tissues are depicted in white, and air spaces in black. The denser the tissue, organs, or fluid, the whiter it appears on x-rays. A plain X-ray of the chest organs reveals:
- bone frame in the form of three thoracic vertebrae, sternum, clavicles, ribs and shoulder blades;
- muscular frame (sternocleidomastoid and pectoral muscles);
- right and left pulmonary fields;
- domes of the diaphragm and pleuro-phrenic sinuses;
- heart and other mediastinal organs;
- right and left root of the lung;
- mammary glands and nipples;
- skin folds, moles, papillomas, keloids (scars).
Pulmonary drawing has a branched shape, “depletes” (becomes less branched) from the center to the periphery. The right pulmonary field is wider and shorter than the left due to the cardiac shadow located in the middle (larger on the left).
Any darkening in the lung fields (white formations on x-rays, due to increased density of the lung tissue) are pathological and require further differential diagnosis. Also, when diagnosing diseases of the lungs and other organs of the chest cavity, it is important to pay attention to changes in the roots of the lungs, expansion of the mediastinum, the location of the chest organs, the presence of fluid or air in the pleural cavity, deformation of the bone structures of the chest, and more.
Depending on size, shape, structure pathological shadows, found in the lung fields, are divided into:
- Hypopneumatoses(decreased airiness of lung tissue):
- Linear – stringy and branched (fibrosis, connective tissue), strip-like (pleural lesions);
- Spotted - focal (up to 1 cm in size), foci (more than 1 cm in size)
- Hyperpneumatoses(increased lung transparency):
- Cavities surrounded by anatomical structures - bullae, emphysema;
- Cavities surrounded by a ring-shaped shadow are caverns;
- Cavities not limited to surrounding tissues.
- Mixed.
- low-intensity shadows (lighter, “fresh”),
- medium intensity shadows;
- intense shadows (fibrous tissue);
- calcifications (look like bone tissue).
Radiation anatomy of lung cancer
Radiation diagnosis of lung cancer is of great importance in primary diagnosis. X-rays of the lungs can reveal shadows of various sizes, shapes and intensities. The main sign of a cancerous tumor is the bumpiness of the surface and the radiance of the contour.Depending on the x-ray picture, the following are distinguished: types of lung cancer:
- central cancer (photo A);
- peripheral cancer (nodular, pneumonia-like, pleural, cavitary forms) (photo B);
- mediastinal cancer (photo B);
- apical cancer (photo G).
B
IN
G
Pathological anatomy for lung cancer
Oncological formations of the lungs develop from the tissues of the bronchi or alveoli. Most often, cancer appears in the segmental bronchi, after which it affects the large bronchi. In the early stages, the cancerous formation is small, perhaps not detectable on radiographs, then gradually grows and can occupy the entire lung and involve lymph nodes and other organs in the process (usually mediastinal organs, pleura), and also metastasize to other organs and systems of the body.Ways of spread of metastases:
- Lymphogenic – along the lymphatic system - regional lymph nodes, mediastinal lymph nodes and other organs and tissues.
- Hematogenous – through the blood along the vessels - the brain, bones, liver, thyroid gland and other organs.
Types of lung cancer depending on the type of cancer cells
- Small cell lung cancer– occurs in 20% of cases, has an aggressive course. It is characterized by rapid progression and metastasis, early dissemination (spread) of metastases to the mediastinal lymph nodes.
- Non-small cell lung cancer:
- Adenocarcinoma – observed in 50% of cases, spreads from the glandular tissue of the bronchi, more often in the initial stages it occurs without symptoms. Characterized by copious sputum production.
- Squamous cell carcinoma occurs in 20-30% of cases, is formed from flat cells in the epithelium of small and large bronchi, in the root of the lungs, grows and metastasizes slowly.
- Undifferentiated cancer characterized by high atypicality of cancer cells.
- Other types of cancer:
- bronchial carcinoids are formed from hormone-producing cells (asymptomatic, difficult to diagnose, slow growing).
- tumors from surrounding tissues (vessels, smooth muscles, immune cells, etc.).
- metastases from tumors localized in other organs.
What does a cancerous lung look like?
The photo of peripheral cancer of the left lung shows a large cancerous tumor under the pleura without clear boundaries. The tumor tissue is dense, gray-white, with hemorrhages and necrosis around. The pleura is also involved in the process. Smoker's lung
Photo of a lung affected by central bronchial cancer. The formation is dense, connected to the main bronchus, gray-white in color, the boundaries of the tumor are unclear.
Causes of lung cancer
- Smoking, including passive smoking.
- Air pollution.
- Harmful working conditions.
- Radioactive background.
- Genetic predisposition.
- Concomitant chronic infectious diseases.
- Other causes of cancer include poor diet, sedentary lifestyle, alcohol abuse, viral infections, etc.
Smoking
T 800-900 C
Harm of smoking
- Chemical effect on cell genotype. The main cause of lung cancer is the entry of harmful substances into the lungs with the air. Cigarette smoke contains about 4,000 chemicals, including carcinogens. As the number of cigarettes smoked per day increases, the risk of lung cancer increases exponentially.
When inhaling cigarette smoke, carcinogens can affect cell genes and cause their damage, thereby contributing to the degeneration of a healthy cell into a cancerous one. - Physical effect on the bronchial mucosa of high temperatures and smoke.
The risk of developing cancer when smoking also increases due to the temperature of the cigarette: for example, when it smolders, the temperature reaches 800-900C, which is a powerful catalyst for carcinogens. - Narrowing of the bronchi and blood vessels
Under the physical and chemical influence of nicotine, the bronchi and vascular network of the lungs narrow. Over time, the bronchi lose their ability to stretch during breathing, which leads to a decrease in the volume of inhaled oxygen, in turn, to a decrease in oxygen saturation of the body as a whole and the area affected by lung cancer cells in particular. - An increase in the amount of mucus produced, its thickening
Nicotine is able to increase the secretion of pulmonary secretions - sputum, its thickening, and removal from the bronchi, this leads to a decrease in lung volume. - Atrophy of the villous epithelium of the bronchi
Cigarette smoke also negatively affects the villi of the bronchi and upper respiratory tract, which normally contribute to active removal of phlegm with particles of dust, microbial bodies, tar from cigarette smoke and other harmful substances that have entered the respiratory tract. If there is insufficient bronchial villi, the only way to remove phlegm is to cough, which is why smokers constantly cough. - Decreased oxygen saturation levels
Insufficient oxygen saturation of the cells and tissues of the body, as well as the toxic effect of harmful substances from tobacco, affects general body resistance and immunity, which increases the risk of developing cancer in general. - Passive smoking has the same danger as active. When a smoker exhales, the nicotine smoke becomes more concentrated.
Causes of lung cancer in non-smokers, mechanisms of development
- Genetic factor
In modern times, with the study of the genetics of many diseases, it has been proven that predisposition to cancer is inherited. Moreover, the tendency to develop certain forms and localizations of cancer is also inherited. - Environmental pollution exhaust gases from transport, industrial enterprises and other types of human activity affect the human body in the same way as passive smoking. Also relevant is the problem of soil and water contamination with carcinogens.
- Asbestos dust and other industrial substances (arsenic, nickel, cadmium, chromium, etc.) contained in industrial dust are carcinogens. Asbestos dust contains heavy particles that settle in the bronchi and are difficult to remove from the respiratory system. These particles contribute to the development of lung fibrosis and long-term exposure of the carcinogens they contain to the genetic background of normal cells, which leads to the development of cancer.
- Radon
– natural gas, which is a product of the decay of uranium.
Radon can be detected at work, in water, soil and dust. When radon decays, alpha particles are formed, which, along with dust and aerosols, enter the human lungs, where they also affect the DNA of the cell, causing it to degenerate into an abnormal one. - Infectious diseases The bronchopulmonary system, as well as inadequate therapy for them, can lead to chronic inflammation of the bronchi and lungs, this, in turn, contributes to the formation and spread of fibrosis. The development of fibrous tissue can cause the development of cancer cells. The same mechanism of transformation of cancer cells is possible during the formation of scars in tuberculosis.
Symptoms and signs of lung cancer
Early manifestation of lung cancer
It is most important to identify the disease in the early stages of tumor development, and most often the course at the onset of the disease is asymptomatic or asymptomatic.Symptoms of lung cancer are nonspecific and can appear in many other diseases, but a set of symptoms may be a reason to consult a doctor for further examination for the presence of cancer.
Depending on the extent of the lesion, shape, location and stage, symptoms may vary. There are a number of symptoms that may indicate lung cancer.
| Symptom | How the symptom manifests itself | Causes of the symptom |
| Cough | Dry, frequent, forced, paroxysmal, later - wet with copious secretion of thick sputum (mucous or purulent). | Tumor of the bronchus, compression of the bronchus by a tumor from the outside, copious sputum production, enlargement of the intrathoracic lymph nodes, toxic-allergic effect on the bronchi. |
| Dyspnea | It appears with little physical exertion: the larger the tumor damage, the more pronounced shortness of breath. Possible shortness of breath due to bronchial obstruction, accompanied by noisy wheezing. | Narrowing of the lumen of the bronchus, collapse of a segment or lobe of the lung (atelectasis), secondary pneumonia, the presence of fluid in the pleural cavity (pleurisy), spread of the tumor by the lymphatic system, damage to the intrathoracic lymph nodes, compression of the superior vena cava, etc. |
| Hemoptysis | It is rare and is manifested by the appearance of streaks or blood clots in the sputum, copious discharge of foamy or jelly-like sputum is possible, and in rare cases, profuse bleeding, which can lead to the rapid death of the patient. | Associated with tumor damage to a blood vessel in the form of melting of its wall and blood entering the bronchus. |
| Chest pain | The pain can be different: from periodic to acute paroxysmal and constant. The pain can radiate to the shoulder, neck, or stomach. The pain may also intensify with deep breathing and coughing. The pain is not relieved by taking non-narcotic painkillers. The intensity of the pain can be used to judge the extent of damage to the lungs and other organs of the chest. | Tumor damage to nerve structures, fluid in the pleural cavity, compression of the mediastinal organs, damage to the great vessels, etc. |
| Increased body temperature | A common symptom of cancer. The symptom may be temporary (as with ARVI) or recurring (sometimes patients do not pay attention to this symptom). | Decay of lung tissue, inflammatory changes in the affected organ. |
| General intoxication symptoms | Decreased appetite, weight loss, fatigue, nervous system disorders and others. | Intoxication due to the breakdown of lung tissue, metastasis. |
Stages and types of lung cancer
Depending on the anatomical location:- Central cancer characterized by a tumor in the epithelium of the main bronchi.
- Peripheral cancer affects smaller bronchi and alveoli.
- Mediastinal cancer characterized by metastasis to the intrathoracic lymph nodes, while the primary tumor is not detected.
- Disseminated cancer lungs is manifested by the presence of multiple small cancer foci.
Depending on the extent of the tumor process
| Stage | Dimensions | Lymph node involvement | Metastases |
| Stage 0 | The tumor has not spread to surrounding tissues | No | No |
| Stage I A | No | No | |
| Stage I B | No | No | |
| Stage II A | Tumor up to 3 cm, does not affect the main bronchus | No | |
| Stage II B | The tumor is from 3 to 5 cm in size, has not spread to other parts of the lungs, is located 2 cm or more below the trachea | Damage to single regional peribronchial lymph nodes. | No |
| No | No | ||
| Stage III A | Tumor up to 5 cm, with/without involvement of other parts of the lungs | Damage to the bifurcation or other lymph nodes of the mediastinum on the affected side | No |
| A tumor of any size that spreads to other organs of the chest, except the trachea, heart, and large vessels | Damage to peribronchial, regional or bifurcation and other mediastinal lymph nodes on the affected side | No | |
| Stage III B | Tumor of any size, affecting the mediastinum, heart, great vessels, trachea and other organs | Involvement of any lymph nodes | No |
| Tumor of any size and extent | Damage to the lymph nodes of the mediastinum on the opposite side, lymph nodes of the upper shoulder girdle | No | |
| Stage IV | Tumor of any size | Damage to any lymph nodes | Presence of any metastasis |
Diagnosis of lung cancer
X-ray diagnostic methods
- Fluorography (FG)- mass screening x-ray method for examining the chest organs.
Indications:
- the patient has pulmonary or intoxication complaints;
- detection of pathology on fluorography;
- detection of neoplasms in other organs in order to exclude metastasis to the lungs and mediastinum;
- other individual indications.
- the ability to use certain projections individually;
- the ability to use X-ray examinations with the introduction of contrast agents into the bronchi, vessels and esophagus in order to conduct a differential diagnosis of the identified pathology;
- identification of neoplasms, determination of their approximate size, localization, prevalence;
- low X-ray exposure when performing one projection of radiography, since X-rays penetrate the body only along one surface of the body (with an increase in the number of images, the radiation exposure increases sharply);
- a fairly cheap research method.
- insufficient information content - due to the layering of three-dimensional measurement of the chest on the two-dimensional measurement of the x-ray film.
- X-ray
It is a real-time x-ray research method.
Flaws: high radiation exposure, but with the introduction of digital fluoroscopes this drawback is practically eliminated due to a significant reduction in the radiation dose.Advantages:
- the ability to evaluate not only the organ itself, but also its mobility, as well as the movement of injected contrast agents;
- the ability to control invasive procedures (angiography, etc.).
- detection of fluid in the pleural cavity;
- conducting contrast research methods and instrumental manipulations;
- screening of the condition of the chest organs in the postoperative period.
- Computed tomography (CT)
Advantages:
- Efficiency and safety.
- Mapping the structure of the body using radio waves emitted by hydrogen atoms, which are contained in all cells and tissues of the body.
- No radiation exposure - is a tomographic, but not x-ray method of examination,
- High accuracy of detecting tumors, their position, type, shape and stage of cancer.
- unwanted use of x-rays;
- suspicion of the presence of a neoplasm and metastases;
- the presence of fluid in the pleural cavity (pleurisy);
- enlarged intrathoracic lymph nodes;
- control of surgery in the chest cavity.
- Presence of contraindications (use of a pacemaker, electronic and metal implants, presence of metal fragments, artificial joints).
- MRI is not recommended when using insulin pumps, claustrophobia, mental agitation of the patient, or the presence of tattoos using dyes made from metal compounds.
- Expensive research method.
Indications:
- determining the presence of liquid or gases in the pleural cavity, enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes;
- detection of metastases in the abdominal and pelvic organs, kidneys and adrenal glands.
- Bronchoscopy
This is an invasive method of examining the airways using a bronchoscope.
Advantages:
- detection of tumors, inflammatory processes and foreign bodies in the bronchi;
- the possibility of taking a tumor biopsy.
- invasiveness and discomfort during the procedure.
- suspicion of a neoplasm in the bronchus;
- taking tissue biopsy material.
Histological and cytological methods for studying lung cancer
Determination of the cellular composition of the formation, detection of cancer cells by microscopy of tissue sections. The method is highly specific and informative. Biopsy methods:
- thoracentesis – puncture of the pleural cavity;
- fine-needle aspiration biopsy - taking material through the chest;
- mediastinoscopy – taking material from the lymph nodes of the mediastinum through a puncture of the chest;
- thoracotomy - surgical diagnostic operations with opening of the chest;
- cytological examination of sputum.
Tumor markers
They are detected by a blood test for specific proteins secreted by cancer cells. Indications:
- an additional method for detecting tumors using other methods;
- monitoring the effectiveness of treatment;
- detection of disease relapses.
- low specificity;
- insufficient sensitivity.
- Carcinoembryonic antigen(REA)
up to 5 µg/l – normal;
5-10 µg/l – may indicate nonspecific diseases;
10-20 µg/l – indicates a risk of cancer;
more than 20 μg/l - indicates a high probability of cancer. - Neuron-specific enolase (NSE)
up to 16.9 µg/l – normal;
more than 17.0 μg/l – high probability of small cell lung cancer. - Cyfra 21-1
up to 3.3 µg/l – normal;
more than 3.3 μg/l – high probability of non-small cell lung cancer.
Lung cancer treatment
Treatment of any cancer must be long-term, comprehensive and consistent. The earlier treatment is started, the more effective it becomes.Efficiency treatment determines:
- absence of relapses and metastases for 2-3 years (the risk of relapses after 3 years is sharply reduced);
- five-year survival after completion of treatment.
- chemotherapy;
- radiation therapy;
- surgery;
- ethnoscience.
Chemotherapy
- Chemotherapy (CT) is a common method of treating lung cancer (especially in complex treatment), which consists of taking chemotherapy drugs that affect the growth and activity of cancer cells.
- In modern times, scientists around the world are studying and discovering the latest chemotherapy drugs, which leaves the possibility for this method to take first place in the treatment of cancer.
- HT is carried out in courses. The number of courses depends on the effectiveness of the therapy (on average, 4–6 blocks of chemotherapy are required).
- The tactics and regimens of chemotherapy differ for small cell and non-small cell lung cancer.
- Chemotherapy is more effective for rapidly growing forms of cancer (small cell cancer).
- Chemotherapy can be used for cancer at any stage, even in the most advanced cases.
- CT is used in combination with radiation therapy or surgical treatment.
In combination with radiation therapy or surgery, the five-year survival rate for stage I is up to 65%, for stage II - up to 40%, for stage III - up to 25%, for stage IV - up to 2%.
Radiotherapy (radiation therapy)
Radiation therapy is a method of treating cancer that uses ionizing radiation to target cancer cells. The dose, duration, and number of procedures are determined individually.When to use:
- Small cancerous tumors.
- Before or after surgery to target cancer cells.
- Presence of metastases.
- As one of the methods of palliative treatment.
Video of using CyberKnife for lung cancer:
The main possible side effects from radiation therapy:
- Damage to the skin at the site of exposure to the radioactive beam.
- Fatigue.
- Baldness.
- Bleeding from an organ affected by cancer.
- Pneumonia, pleurisy.
- Hyperthermic syndrome (increased body temperature).
Surgical treatment of lung cancer
Surgery to remove the tumor is the most effective treatment for cancer. But, unfortunately, surgical intervention is possible only with timely identified processes (I – II and partly III stages). The effectiveness of surgical treatment is higher for non-small cell lung cancer than for small cell lung cancer. Thus, only 10-30% of lung cancer patients are operable.TO inoperable cases include:
- Advanced forms of lung cancer.
- Cases with relative contraindications to surgical treatment:
- heart failure of the 2nd-3rd degree;
- severe heart pathologies;
- severe liver or kidney failure;
- severe general condition;
- patient's age.
Types of operations:
- Partial lung resection.
- Lobectomy - removal of an entire lobe of the lung.
- Pulmonectomy – removal of the entire lung.
- Combined operations – removal of the affected part of the lung and affected parts of surrounding organs.
Efficiency of surgical treatment depends on the stage and type of cancer, on the general condition of the patient, on the chosen type of operation, the professionalism of the operating team, equipment and the complexity of treatment.
- Three-year absence of relapses – up to 50%.
- Five-year survival rate is up to 30%.
Without treatment, about 80% of lung cancer patients die within two years.
Palliative care – activities aimed at making life easier for patients with advanced forms of lung cancer or with no effect on the therapy.
Palliative care includes:
- Symptomatic treatment that relieves symptoms but does not cure the disease (narcotic and non-narcotic analgesics, antitussives, tranquilizers and others). In addition to medications, palliative operations (radiation and chemotherapy) are used.
- Improving the psycho-emotional state of the patient.
- Prevention of infectious diseases.
- Individual approach to such patients.
Traditional methods
- The effectiveness of treatment with traditional methods has not been studied enough.
- It is advisable to use these methods in combination with traditional medicine methods (after consultation with the attending physician).
- It is possible to use traditional methods as palliative care for the patient.
- As in traditional medicine, treatment regimens with traditional methods depend on the form, location, type, stage and extent of the cancer process.
- Herbal decoctions and tinctures (mostly poisonous plants are used).
- Applications of herbal tinctures, medicinal stones.
- Energy medicine.
- Special diets and exercises.
A decoction of aconite roots. 20 g of plant roots are poured with water (1 liter), then boiled for 2 hours. Drink 30 ml daily before bed.
Musk tincture. Pour 5 g of musk into 200 ml of vodka and leave for 1 month in the dark. Start taking 5 drops after each meal, the dose is gradually increased to 25 drops. After each month of treatment there is a break of 7 days.
Tincture of catharanthus rosea. Pour caranthus leaves and flowers into a half-liter container, fill them with 70 percent alcohol to a volume of 1 liter, leave in a dark place for 2 weeks. Drink 5 drops 3 times before meals. Increase the dose to 20 drops over the course of a month. After a month - break for 7 days, then start again. This treatment lasts 8 months.
Cetraria decoction. Pour 2 teaspoons of crushed cetrarium into 250 ml of chilled water for 12 hours. Then put in a water bath, evaporate to 2/3 of the volume. Take 1-2 tablespoons 3 times a day. Every 3 weeks – a break of 7 days.
Tincture of cherry laurel leaves. Pour 250 g of fresh leaves into 1 liter of vodka and leave in the dark for 2-3 weeks. Take 10 drops 2 times a day 1 hour after meals, gradually increase the dose to 20-25 drops per dose, then to 7 and 10 ml. Drink for a month, then take a break for 2 weeks, repeat this regimen.
Also, in the treatment of lung cancer, various decoctions and tinctures of saffron, sage, sage, wormwood, violet roots, squeaky grass and many other plants are used.
Prevention of lung cancer
The basis for the prevention of lung cancer and any other cancer is: - Healthy lifestyle
- Quitting smoking cigarettes.
- Protection from passive smoking.
- Avoiding or drinking alcohol in moderation.
- Quitting drug use.
- Active lifestyle.
- Healthy eating.
- Fighting excess body weight.
- Refusal to take any medications unless necessary or prescribed by a doctor.
- Prevention of infectious diseases, especially those transmitted through blood and sexual contact.
- Adequate antibiotic therapy for infectious diseases of the lungs and bronchi.
- Dosing of exposure to sunlight.
- Planning pregnancy - a healthy lifestyle during the period of conception and pregnancy will significantly reduce the risk of cancer.
- Society's fight against environmental pollution.
- Personal respiratory protection in hazardous industries.
- Reducing exposure to radiation: improving ventilation in the home, checking radon levels of building materials used in the home, avoiding non-indicated X-ray diagnostic tests.
- Timely and regular medical examination.
