Lung Cancer Management Therapy, Abroad
Lung Cancer Management cost:
{the cost covers all destination medical & logistics costs}
International Destinations: India, Jordan, Mexico, South Korea, Turkey
Lung cancer is an uncontrolled cancerous growth within the lung tissues. The
two main types of lung cancers that develop are - the small cell lung carcinoma
and the non-small cell lung carcinoma. Distinguishing between these two cancer
types is crucial to the determination of the form of management. Small cell
lung carcinoma responds well to chemotherapy and radiation therapy, while, non-small
cell lung carcinoma is best treated surgically. The etiological factors responsible
for the development of lung cancer are - exposure to tobacco smoke (active as
well as passive), genetic predisposition, air pollution, asbestosis, and an
exposure to radon gas. International destinations offering high quality surgical
expertise for the management of lung cancers are Mexico, Turkey, Jordan, India,
and South Korea.
Epidemiological statistics for lung cancer
- Lung cancer is the most common type of cancer, both, with respect to incidence
and mortality.
- The highest rates of incidence and deaths are seen in Europe and North America
- Eastern Europe has highest mortality rates among males, while northern Europe
and America show highest death rates in females.
- There is an inverse proportion between lung cancer and exposure to sunlight.
This is because of the protective effect of vitamin D which is produced by
the skin's cells on exposure to sunlight.
Lung Cancers can be broadly categorized based on the site of the initiation
of the cancer,
- Primary lung carcinomas, arising from the lung tissue itself (small cell
lung carcinoma and non-small cell lung carcinoma).
- Secondary lung tumors, which develop as a result of metastasis from other
cancer sites, such as breast cancer.
Diagnosis of Lung Cancer
- A chest X-ray: this is the preliminary screening test for patients
reporting with symptoms suggestive of cancer of the lung. A regular screening
helps detect cancerous growths in the earlier stages in asymptomatic people.
- Bronchoscopy: when a chest X-ray fails to reveal accurate details
in high risk patients (e.g. heavy smokers), a bronchoscopy is performed.
- CT scan: a CT scan gives a precise and detailed picture.
- CT guided biopsy: this technique is used to identify the cell type
of the tumor.
Lung Cancer Management Therapy
The treatment of lung cancer depends vastly on the specific type of carcinoma,
the stage at which the cancer is detected and the extent of spread.
Pre-operative management of lung cancer:
- Once the diagnosis has been confirmed, a PET scan is done to ascertain whether
the cancer is localized or generalized, and whether it will respond well to
surgery or not.
- Blood tests and lung function tests are performed to assess the patient's
status with respect to the surgery. A surgical intervention is contraindicated
in case the results of these tests are not favorable.
- t is important, that the surgeon be informed, about any complications that
have occurred following a previous surgery, and also provide him with a detailed
history of medicines taken.
- Stoppage of aspirin, warfarin, vitamin E supplements, and omega 3 fatty
acids supplements is a must, few weeks prior to the operation.
- Primary chemotherapy is given to non-small cell lung carcinomas prior to
the surgery. The drugs of choice are cisplastin, gemcitabine, paclitaxel,
docetaxel, and etoposide.
- 10 to 12 hours of 'nil by mouth' (refraining from eating or drinking) is
a precondition for the surgery.
Surgical procedures for lung cancer:
A surgery is conducted only in cases of non-small cell lung carcinoma, and
on patients who have adequate preoperative respiratory reserve, to allow sufficient
lung function after the cancerous tissue has been excised out. Surgery is advocated
to patients who are in the stage 1, stage 2 and stage 3A of the disease.
- Wedge resection: the wedge resection technique involves the removal
of only a part of the lung lobe, which contains the tumor growth and a part
of the healthy tissue surrounding it. This procedure is opted for, in patients,
who have been diagnosed early, and who show poor lung reserves. But chances,
that the cancer could recur, are considerably higher, after a wedge resection.
- Segmentectomy: this procedure entails the removal of an anatomic
partition of a particular lobe of the lung.
- Lobectomy: one lobe is excised in this surgical procedure. In patients
who have an adequate respiratory reserve, lobectomy is preferred, since it
prevents recurrences.
- Bilobectomy: two lobes of the lungs are excised.
- Pneumectomy: the whole lung is removed. This technique reduces the
lung function greatly, but, patients who demonstrated good pulmonary function
tests prior to the surgery, survive well on one lung.
- Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery: this is a minimal invasive
method entailing a short hospital stay.
- VATS lobectomy: an advanced surgical technique, with minimal invasion,
VAT lobectomy, is a swift method coupled with quicker recovery.
Post operative care for lung cancer
- After the operation, a chest tube will be left in place to drain blood or
any discharges. It also assists the lungs to fill back air. The chest tube
would be kept in place for several days.
- Adjuvant chemotherapy is necessary for non-small cell lung cancers, after
the surgery has been performed. This is especially necessary if the lymph
nodes in the tissue that is excised out, or in the mediastinum, or in the
peri-tracheal region show evidence of cancer spread. Adjuvant chemotherapy
improves survival rate.
- Following the surgery, occurrence of pain is very common. Adequate analgesics
will be provided to combat pain. Occasionally pain could occur months after
the surgery, as the nerves start to grow back.
- Performing breathing exercises are critical to the prevention of respiratory
infections, especially pneumonia, and to improve lung capacity.
Possible complications of a lung cancer surgery
- Infections
- Bleeding
- Formation of blood clots
- Collapse of the lung
- Harm to surrounding structures
Chemotherapy for lung cancer management
- Small cell lung cancer is managed better through chemotherapy (coupled with
radiotherapy). This is because, small cell lung carcinoma spreads fast, and
surgery is not very beneficial except in very small growths.
- The regimen comprises of drugs - cisplastin, and etoposide.
Radiotherapy for lung cancer management
- Radiotherapy is often given in conjunct with chemotherapy.
- It is used as a curative therapy for non-small cell lung carcinoma.
Radical radiotherapy
High intensity radiotherapy is called radical radiotherapy.
CHART
CHART is Continuous Hyper-fractionated Accelerated Radio-Therapy. It is an
improvement over radical radiotherapy, wherein, a high dose of radiotherapy
is given for a shorter period of time.
Palliative radiotherapy
For small cell lung carcinoma and for non-small cell lung carcinoma, small
doses of radiation are used for symptomatic management and the alleviation of
the symptoms.
Brachytherapy
Brachytheraapy is a form of localized radiation therapy to the chest. It is
given directly inside the airway, especially in certain cases of lung cancer,
which contraindicates surgical intervention and blocks a large airway.
Interventional radiotherapy
Interventional radiotherapy or radio-frequency ablation is useful in the management
of bronchogenic carcinoma (cancer developing within the bronchus). This technique
is carried out by inserting a tiny heat probe into the tumor growth, to kill
the cancer cells.
Lung cancer management in India
As health care costs skyrocket, patients in the developed countries look overseas
for medical and surgical treatments. India is reputed for quality health care
services at affordable rates. Skilled doctors and surgeons, and high-end equipments
and procedures make India a haven for medical tourists.
Lung cancer management in South Korea
South Korea has surfaced as a desired location for medical tourism, since it
scores in the departments of superior medical and health care, both, in terms
of skilled medical personnel and ultra-modern and technologically advanced apparatus,
good post operative care facilities and reduced occurrences of complications,
low costs, and an easy accessibility.
Lung Cancer Management in Mexico
Mexico is capitalizing on its low costs, and highly trained doctors and man
power, and its close proximity to the United States of America, to exert a pull
on patients.
Lung cancer management in Turkey
Medical and surgical management in Turkey is not only swift, but also, costs
a portion of what would be charged in the United States or Europe. It is an
important health care provider, with established world class surgical, and chemo-radiotherapy
practices in the sphere of oncology and cancer treatment.
Lung cancer management in Jordan:
The accessibility of extremely qualified, skilled, and experienced surgeons,
united with the use of latest technological innovations and procedures has made
Jordan a top medical tourism destination for cancer management. The medical
team provides good post-operative care and also promises fewer occurrences of
complications.
Resources:
Cyberknife in India
Cyberknife
at Anadolu Medical Center, Turkey
Chemotherapy Treatment (CHOP)
Abroad
RCHOP Chemotherapy
Cyberknife Cancer Radiotherapy
Overseas Radical
Gastrectomy Surgery Abroad
Mastectomy
Surgery Abroad
Total
Pelvic Exenteration Abroad
Cervical
Cancer Treatment Abroad
Medical Tourism Corporation facilitates lung cancer treatment abroad
in Europe, India and other overseas world-class oncology treatment destinations.
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