How is lung cancer treated?

Written by Gong Chun
Oncology
Updated on September 22, 2024
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For the treatment of lung cancer, it should currently be based on a comprehensive treatment method tailored to the patient's age, specific condition, nutritional status, economic condition, and the capabilities available at the hospital. It is particularly related to the stage of the disease and the type identified in the tissue biopsy. Currently, lung cancer primarily adopts a multidisciplinary comprehensive treatment approach spearheaded by surgical intervention. Surgical treatment is the preferred method for lung cancer, but since it is a systemic disease, surgery alone cannot completely address the issue. Therefore, it must be combined with radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and other treatments in a multidisciplinary and comprehensive approach. Additionally, immunotherapy and targeted therapy are inseparable and crucial parts of integrated treatment strategies for lung cancer. If the disease is staged and involves adenocarcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma of the lung, surgical treatment is recommended followed by adjuvant radiotherapy or chemotherapy, or targeted and immunotherapy. If surgery is not possible, some supportive treatments can be considered. For small-cell lung cancer, surgery is not recommended because it offers no benefit; instead, a combined approach of chemotherapy and radiotherapy is advised.

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Written by Gong Chun
Oncology
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What is the treatment for lung cancer?

Treatment for lung cancer should be based on the pathological staging, the pathology type, the biological behavior of the lung cancer, and individualization, taking into account the patient's cardiopulmonary function and overall systemic condition to develop a personalized treatment plan. For non-small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer, the treatment approaches differ significantly. Therefore, it is advisable for patients to seek treatment at specialized hospitals, under the guidance of oncology specialists. Generally, treatment options for non-small cell lung cancer include surgical resection, adjunctive chemoradiation, neoadjuvant chemoradiation, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. For small cell lung cancer, a comprehensive treatment plan combining chemoradiation, along with prophylactic cranial irradiation and other aggressive treatments, is recommended. Each individual's situation might differ, so it is important to focus on a personalized comprehensive treatment plan rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.

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Written by Gong Chun
Oncology
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What department should lung cancer patients visit?

The first point is that lung cancer can be categorized as a respiratory system disease, so one could visit the respiratory department. However, the respiratory department is not specialized enough for lung cancer, so it is recommended to visit the oncology department instead. After all, lung cancer is a malignant tumor. Initially, one can visit the respiratory department, but once it is confirmed through biopsy that it is lung cancer, it is advised to seek specialized treatment in the oncology department, as it is a malignant tumor.

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Written by Liu Liang
Oncology
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Dietary therapy for lung cancer

In the diet of lung cancer patients, Western medicine does not have the concept of "trigger foods" like Chinese medicine does. According to Western medicine, there are no specific dietary restrictions; the focus is on maintaining a balanced diet as usual, incorporating meat, proteins, vegetables, and fruits to ensure nutritional balance. Generally, lung cancer patients may experience coughing symptoms, so it is advisable to consume a light diet avoiding oily fried foods. Extremely spicy foods can provoke irritative coughing and worsen it, so they should be avoided, along with barbecued and pickled foods, and junk food. Other than that, the diet should be similar to a normal balanced diet. For patients undergoing chemotherapy, a high-protein diet is recommended, preferably consisting of steamed or stewed dishes. These can be combined with traditional Chinese medicinal herbs such as Astragalus, American ginseng, and Dong quai, which are known to boost energy and enhance resistance, thus aiding in dietary therapy to strengthen the patient's immunity.

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Written by Xia Bao Jun
Pulmonology
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Small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer differences

Small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer are both types of primary bronchogenic carcinoma, differing only in their cellular morphology. They also differ in clinical symptoms and characteristics of metastasis. Small cell lung cancer is more prone to metastasis clinically, including strenuous and distant spread, such as to the brain and liver. The medications used for each are also different; small cell lung cancer typically involves chemotherapy drugs like etoposide and cisplatin, whereas non-small cell lung cancer commonly uses drugs like paclitaxel and platinum-based drugs.

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Written by Gong Chun
Oncology
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What fruits to eat for lung cancer

For lung cancer, it is appropriate to eat some green, natural, seasonal fruits. Generally, there are not too many fruits that cannot be eaten; there are no strict prohibitions against any particular fruit. You can eat apples, pears, bananas, oranges, watermelons, cantaloupes, and any such naturally green fruits, especially if they are unpolluted and in season. Therefore, generally speaking, there are not many fruits that people with lung cancer cannot eat. However, one should consume fruit in moderation. For instance, lychees are now in season, but as lychees are considered warm and heat-inducing, it is advisable to eat them in moderation.