Stage 4 Non Small Cell Lung Cancer
Stage 4 non small cell lung cancer is the most advanced stage of lung cancer. Almost 40% of people diagnosed with lung cancer already have stage 4 disease. Stage 4 non small cell lung cancer is not curable but is treatable, and many clinical trials are under way to look at new treatments to improve survival.
Lung cancer is spread when the cancer cells break away from a tumor and migrate through the bloodstream. The most common sites of metastasis are liver, brain, lymph nodes and bones. Once NSCLC has spread beyond the lung, traditional procedures such as wedge resections, lobectomies, pneumonectomies, and not, by themselves, to cure the disease. Other forms of treatment are needed.
The symptoms of lung cancer stage 4 may include
Symptoms due to the presence of a tumor in the lungs, such as:
Persistent cough
Coughing up blood (hemoptysis)
Difficulty breathing
Hoarseness
Pain in the chest, back or arms
Repeated episodes of pneumonia or bronchitis
Wheezing
Symptoms due to tumor spread to other body regions, for example:
Pain in the back, hips, ribs, or if the tumor has spread to the bone
Difficulty swallowing due to a tumor that is close to or invading the esophagus
Headaches, vision changes, weakness, or convulsions if a tumor spreads to the brain
Where does lung cancer spread?
And symptoms related to metastatic cancer in general:
Fatigue
Weight Loss
Loss of appetite
Treatment of stage 4 (metastatic) cancer non-small cell lung.
If the disease spreads to the bones, can cause pain in the hips and along back. That could be similar to pulling a muscle in the beginning, but worse. If the tumor reaches the spine, you may have difficulty walking.
When NSCLC spreads to the lymph nodes, the nodes usually will swell. This in itself presents no problem but can cause significant swelling, hoarseness and neck. As mentioned above, Stage 4 non small cell lung cancer can not be solved with surgery alone. Even if a surgeon is able to remove diseased tissue by performing a lobectomy, the tumor has spread elsewhere in the body. This means that the disease may continue to metastasis. For this reason, chemotherapy is often used as a systemic approach to kill cancer cells.
The drawback of chemotherapy is that chemicals do not distinguish between good and bad cells, but simply point to which divide more rapidly than others. While this is an effective method to attack cancer cells, the treatment also damages healthy cells. This is the reason why many patients experience side effects such as hair loss and nausea.
Radiation therapy may also be useful in the treatment of Stage 4 non small cell lung cancer. It is given to help control symptoms, compared to rid the body full of cancer cells. Instead of chemicals, this form of therapy directs radiation at specific body areas.
The total 5-year survival rate for lung cancer stage 4 is unfortunately less than 10%. The median survival time (time when 50% of patients are alive and 50% died) is about 8 months.
What is Stage 4 non small cell lung cancer life expectancy?
What I can do to help with Stage 4 non small cell lung cancer?
Studies suggest that learning what you can about your lung cancer can improve their quality of life, and even its outcome. Ask questions. Learn about clinical trials. Consider joining a support group. Many of us do not talk about matters at the end of his life, but discuss this with your doctor and family - even if you are all hoping for a cure - is associated with less feelings of loneliness and a better quality of life. Never lose hope, even if they have chosen not to continue treatment. Hope for some quality time with loved ones, with good control of their symptoms. Hope for the future of their loved ones who remain, with memories of you in their hearts.
Lung cancer is spread when the cancer cells break away from a tumor and migrate through the bloodstream. The most common sites of metastasis are liver, brain, lymph nodes and bones. Once NSCLC has spread beyond the lung, traditional procedures such as wedge resections, lobectomies, pneumonectomies, and not, by themselves, to cure the disease. Other forms of treatment are needed.
The symptoms of lung cancer stage 4 may include
Symptoms due to the presence of a tumor in the lungs, such as:
Persistent cough
Coughing up blood (hemoptysis)
Difficulty breathing
Hoarseness
Pain in the chest, back or arms
Repeated episodes of pneumonia or bronchitis
Wheezing
Symptoms due to tumor spread to other body regions, for example:
Pain in the back, hips, ribs, or if the tumor has spread to the bone
Difficulty swallowing due to a tumor that is close to or invading the esophagus
Headaches, vision changes, weakness, or convulsions if a tumor spreads to the brain
Where does lung cancer spread?
And symptoms related to metastatic cancer in general:
Fatigue
Weight Loss
Loss of appetite
Treatment of stage 4 (metastatic) cancer non-small cell lung.
If the disease spreads to the bones, can cause pain in the hips and along back. That could be similar to pulling a muscle in the beginning, but worse. If the tumor reaches the spine, you may have difficulty walking.
When NSCLC spreads to the lymph nodes, the nodes usually will swell. This in itself presents no problem but can cause significant swelling, hoarseness and neck. As mentioned above, Stage 4 non small cell lung cancer can not be solved with surgery alone. Even if a surgeon is able to remove diseased tissue by performing a lobectomy, the tumor has spread elsewhere in the body. This means that the disease may continue to metastasis. For this reason, chemotherapy is often used as a systemic approach to kill cancer cells.
The drawback of chemotherapy is that chemicals do not distinguish between good and bad cells, but simply point to which divide more rapidly than others. While this is an effective method to attack cancer cells, the treatment also damages healthy cells. This is the reason why many patients experience side effects such as hair loss and nausea.
Radiation therapy may also be useful in the treatment of Stage 4 non small cell lung cancer. It is given to help control symptoms, compared to rid the body full of cancer cells. Instead of chemicals, this form of therapy directs radiation at specific body areas.
The total 5-year survival rate for lung cancer stage 4 is unfortunately less than 10%. The median survival time (time when 50% of patients are alive and 50% died) is about 8 months.
What is Stage 4 non small cell lung cancer life expectancy?
What I can do to help with Stage 4 non small cell lung cancer?
Studies suggest that learning what you can about your lung cancer can improve their quality of life, and even its outcome. Ask questions. Learn about clinical trials. Consider joining a support group. Many of us do not talk about matters at the end of his life, but discuss this with your doctor and family - even if you are all hoping for a cure - is associated with less feelings of loneliness and a better quality of life. Never lose hope, even if they have chosen not to continue treatment. Hope for some quality time with loved ones, with good control of their symptoms. Hope for the future of their loved ones who remain, with memories of you in their hearts.
Category Article lung cancer
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