An Overview of Stage 4 Lung Cancer
An Overview of Stage 4 Lung Cancer
One of the deadliest diseases in the world is lung cancer. In a year, nearly 200,000 people are reported dead. There are no other form of cancer reports that causes many deaths similar to lung cancer. The spread of tumor to the other parts of our body particularly to our brain is the cause of uncontrollable growth of abnormal cells within the tissues of our lungs. This disease may be treated at its early stage. Unfortunately, symptoms are most likely appearing once it has already reached the late stage, that most oncologists find it hard to be treated, especially stage 4 lung cancer.
There are two main types of lung cancer, small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Each type has been staged differently and assigned with corresponding treatment options. NSCLC has been subdivided into four stages and SCLC into two sub-stages: intensive and extensive stage. For someone with this disease, stage 4 lung cancer is the most crucial stage. It is also referred to as metastatic cancer. During this stage, the cancer cells or the tumor has already grown severely and has spread to the opposite lung or beyond the lungs wherein the brain, bone and liver are the common sites of metastasis.
Now how can we ascertain that we have acquired the disease and if it is already stage 4 lung cancer? The common symptom is coughing. However for late stages, coughing that does not seem to be resolved easily and sometimes with blood, hemoptysis, is already considered malignant. If you also happen to experience difficulty in breathing, pain in chest and wheezing, it is already stage 4. Pneumonia and bronchitis are usually accompanied with lung cancer especially if the mentioned symptoms appear. Other possible symptoms also include headaches, hormone imbalances, visual troubles and weakness.
Diagnosis involves series of tests to determine the extent damage of cancer cells to the organs. Diagnostic tests that are commonly being done for stage 4 lung cancer include positron emission tomography (PET) scans, bones scans and CT and MRI scans. These tests can help in finding out one where else did the cancer cells spread and metastasized with the use of different technology equipments.
Since our lungs is very essential for breathing, the treatments can help preserve it. A combination of chemotherapy and radiation therapy are the available treatment options. These treatments does not really have the capability to cure the disease but rather stops the rapid growth of cancer cells and ease the pain. It may extend as well the survival rate of the patient along with the patient's cooperation in maintaining a healthy lifestyle and avoiding to smoke.
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