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Lung Cancer Treatment  

There are many factors that can affect the costs

  • Types of treatment performed
  • Experience of the surgeon
  • Choice of hospital & Technology
  • Rehabilitation cost after surgery
  • Insurance Coverage can affect a person's out of pocket expenses

One of the most common cancer is Lung Cancer whose major risk factor is Smoking. Although, not always smoking is the cause of Lung cancer, but yes active smoking or a history of smoking is one of the major causes of this cancer. Early diagnosis and treatment are very important to prevent any case fatality. 

Screening is very important for people who are at risk of developing Lung Cancer. If you are an active smoker or have had quit smoking in recent past 15 years you are advised to get your Lung Cancer Screening done regularly. However, if you have any symptoms of Lung cancer and you are a smoker too, it is advised to talk to your healthcare professional on time. 

Lung cancer begins in the lungs and doesn't show any signs and symptoms usually in the early stages.  The signs and symptoms that could be seen are similar to respiratory diseases so it is advised to get screening done as soon as you feel any of the signs or symptoms. The signs and symptoms are – 

  • New Cough is the first symptom that doesn’t go away is persistent. may get worsen or may become chronic, sometimes cough with small amount of blood is also observed.
  • Change in voice or hoarseness.
  • Pain that might include chest pain, back pain, or shoulder pain.
  • Unintentional weight loss.
  • Difficulty in breathing or shortness of breath.

Lung cancer can start and include any part of the lung, it may metastasize and can cause fatality. So, if you see any of the signs and symptoms you must contact your healthcare provider on time.
 

Need Customized Treatment Plan

There are two types of lung cancersSmall lung cancer and Nonsmall lung cancer. However, small lung cancer is most common. When you are diagnosed with lung cancer based on your symptoms and history, you are advised with various tests to see the spread of cancer from lungs to lymph nodes to various parts of the body. 

Treatment is carried out by a team that includes a specialist from various departments of the medical fraternity. They would do diagnosis, identify the type of cancer, the size, whether it is metastasized or not keeping in mind your overall health the treatment is planned.
 

There are few tests conducted to look for cancer cells and to identify Lung Cancer. Few important tests conducted are as follows - 

X-ray and CT Scan  – X-ray is important as it would reveal any abnormality in the lungs. Ct scan is done to look up for more small or advanced lesions not visible in X-ray thus would help in getting detailed images of lungs.

Sputum test – Sputum present in cough help in ruling out the presence of cancer cells.

PET – CT scan – This test is done to see the active cancer cells present. This test takes from 30 minutes to an hour. 

Biopsy – In this, a small sample of cells is removed and it is done to look for the more advanced lesion. 
 

Treatment depends on various factors and your team of doctor decide your line of treatment based on the diagnosis, investigations conducted along with your overall health status. 

Chemotherapy – Chemotherapy prevents the growth of cancer cells. It is done before or after surgery. Before surgery, it is done to destroy the cancer cells and after surgery to destroy the cancer cells that survived the treatment. It might include 1 drug or a combination of the drug. It consists of a specific cycle of treatment for a particular set of times. 

Drugs therapy- Certain combinations of drugs are used with Radiation and Chemotherapy to treat cancer. Drugs are given orally or intravenously as required. 

Radiation therapy- This is done to destroy the cancer cells from outside the body. In this high energy X rays are used in which a specific number of treatment is given for a particular period. 

Surgery – Overgrown cells in the form of tumors in the lungs and the lymph nodes are surgically removed. Depending on the diagnosis and type of cancer either the entire lung needs to be removed or the tumor along with healthy margins is removed. 

Target therapy – This treatment prevents the growth and spread of cancer cells and prevents the damage of healthy cells. 
 

Recovery depends on your overall health, type of cancer, age, and various others factors. If surgery is done it would take from 2 months to more to fully recover. After surgery body needs proper time and care to heal. You must avoid tasks that could exert you physically. You must always follow your doctor's advice regarding resuming your daily tasks and work life. Your recovery would take time, you must follow your doctor's advice regarding all the precautions and regular checkups. 

With proper treatment, you could recover from lung cancer but according to NCI half of the people who are diagnosed and treated for lung cancer live for 5 years or longer. Once proper diagnosis, treatment, precautions, and follow-ups are done properly, more people survive for long. 
 

Lung Cancer Treatment FAQs

When the cells grow abnormally it is called cancer. Abnormal growth of cells in the lungs is called lung cancer. The cancer develops in the lungs and may spread to other organs or lymph.

Lung cancer may be treated with surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted drug therapy, stereotactic body radiotherapy, immunotherapy, palliative care. The treatment advised depends upon the type of lung cancer and how far the cancer has spread.

The following factors increases the chances of lung cancer -

  •  Smoking
  • Passive smoking
  • Radon (natural occurring gas)
  • Family history
  • Radiation therapy to the chest 
  • Diet that includes beta carotene supplements

Avoiding avoidable risk factors such as smoking, passive smoking, dietary supplements can help lower the risk of lung cancer.

Following diagnostic tests are recommended to look for cancerous cells in the lungs –

  • Sputum test
  • Imaging test such as X-ray, CT scan
  • Biopsy

Surgical procedures to treat lung cancer are –

  • Wedge resection – small section of lung is removed
  • Lobectomy – removal of entire lobe of one lung
  • Segmental resection – large portion of the lung is removed
  • Pneumonectomy – entire lung is removed

Common symptoms of lung cancer are –

  • Loss of appetite
  • Coughing up blood or rusty sputum
  • Breathing problem
  • Feeling weak and tired
  • Chest pain that worsens with cough and deep breathing
  • Infection in the lungs
  • Weight loss
  • Wheezing The symptoms are worse if cancer spreads in other body parts.

There are 3 stages of lung cancer –

  • Localized – cancer is present in the lungs
  • Regional – cancer spreads to the lymph nodes in the chest
  • Distant – cancer spreads to other body parts

Lung cancer treatment cost in India starts from $3,000.

In people with lung cancer, respiratory failure is the major cause of lung cancer death.

Hospitals for Lung Cancer Treatment
BLK-MAX Super Specialty Hospital
Fortis Escorts Heart Institute
Medanta - The Medicity
Max Super Specialty Hospital Saket
Max Super Specialty Hospital Shalimar Bagh
Max Super Specialty Hospital Patparganj
Fortis Hospital Mulund
Wockhardt Hospital South Mumbai
Wockhardt Super Specialty Hospital Mira Road
Fortis Hospital Bangalore

Best Hospitals for Lung Cancer Treatment

Lung Cancer Treatment Videos