Causes, Symptoms and Treatment of Lung Cancer Metastasis
Metastasis is the malignant spread of cells to other body parts. Lung cancer metastasis on the other hand is the spread of cancerous cells outwards from the lungs. It also involves the spread of cancerous cells to lungs from other parts of the body. Advanced lung cancer metastasis prolongs the treatment and has limited chances of survival.
The disease may metastasize to the chest area and respiratory organs and patients tend to experience same symptoms as primary lung carcinomas. This may include chest and back pains, difficulty in breathing and bloody coughing. When a patient has unexplained lack of appetite and loss of weight this could also be a sign. A patient with lung cancer metastasis symptoms may show signs of being fatigued as well. If the problems continue and become worse this definitely shows that the cancer is spreading. At this point there is need for urgent treatment to seize the growth of tumors and increase of malignant cells.
I most cases lung cancer metastasis affects the brain, liver, adrenal glands and the bones. So it is important to know where the cancer originated from first. A diagnosis is carried out to help you know at what stage the disease is in and how you will carry out treatment. When the cancer is limited chemotherapy and surgery are carried out. Surgery removes any growths and chemotherapy kills any cancerous cells remaining. Where the disease has metastasized immensely, palliative care becomes the only alternative. This normally is given to increase the patient’s life while providing comfort.
There are various stages of a lung cancer metastasis. The first stage is the limited stage normally known as small cell lung carcinoma. At this stage the tumor is originates from one lung or in the lymph nodes of the lung. There is also the extensive stage where the tumor spreads to other organs in the body or into both lungs. When the cancer reaches the extensive stage, chemotherapy is normally the preferred treatment. Non-small cell lung carcinoma is major staging scheme usually divided into four stages, where stage one is the mildest form and stage four is the severe form.
Where the cancer affects other parts of the body depends on the lung cancer metastasis. For you to find out whether it has metastasized or not, you would use a diagnostic method like conventional chest radiography, magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography and computerized tomography scanning, your results will determine the treatment method including chemotherapy drug therapy and radiotherapy.
Lung cancer metastasis is however difficult to treat, due to the fact that the cells have spread to other parts of the body. In order for you to treat it you must remove each and every cell which is not an easy task.
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