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,

1. Primary lung carcinomas, arising from the lung tissue itself (small cell lung carcinoma and non-small cell lung carcinoma).
2. 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.

1. 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.
2. Segmentectomy: this procedure entails the removal of an anatomic partition of a particular lobe of the lung.
3. Lobectomy: one lobe is excised in this surgical procedure. In patients who have an adequate respiratory reserve, lobectomy is preferred, since it prevents recurrences.
4. Bilobectomy: two lobes of the lungs are excised.
5. 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.
6. Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery: this is a minimal invasive method entailing a short hospital stay.
7. 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.