Cancer Information

Posts Tagged ‘cancer cells’

6. Cytology Sputum microscopy is examined a sample of sputum to see if it contains cancer cells. * Needle biopsy: A needle is inserted into the mass while the lungs are displayed on a computer tomograph. Then a sample of the mass and observed through a microscope for cancer cells.

7. Bronchoscopy: We introduce a flexible, lighted tube through the mouth into the bronchi. This procedure can help find tumors located centrally or obstructions in the lungs. Also be used to take biopsies or remove fluids to be examined with a microscope to see if they contain cancer cells.

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Most lung cancer begins in the lining of the bronchi, the tubes in which the trachea or windpipe divides. However, asbestos lung cancer can also begin in other areas such as the trachea, bronchioles (small branches of the bronchi) or alveoli (air sacs in the lungs). Although lung cancer usually develops slowly, when this occurs, cancer cells can break away and spread to other parts of the body.

The two most common types of lung cancer are small cell lung cancer (SCLC), in which cancer cells are small and round, and the cancer non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), in which cells are larger cancerous. Sometimes, a cancer has characteristics of both types, and is called mixed small cell and large cell cancer.

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The doctor needs to know the stage of the cancer to plan treatment. The classification of lung cancer non-small cell goes through the following stages:

• Step hidden. Cancer cells are found in sputum, but you can not find any tumor in the lung.
• Stage 0. The cancer is localized in one area, in some cell layers only, and no growth through the lining of the lung. Another term for this type of lung cancer is “carcinoma in situ.”
• Stage I. The cancer is found only in the lung and is surrounded by normal tissue. * Stage II The cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes.
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The immune system attacks and eliminates not only bacteria and other foreign substances but also cancer cells. A cancer cell is a cell not strange, it is a cell whose biological function has been altered so that does not meet the body’s normal mechanisms that control the growth and reproduction of it. The abnormal cells can continue to grow, turning into cancer.

In the immune system, a large part of the body’s defense against cancer is carried out directly by cells, rather than by antibodies circulating in the blood. For example, the presence of tumor antigens on cancer cells can activate certain white blood cells (lymphocytes and in a much lesser degree, monocytes) which perform an immune surveillance seeking and destroying cancer cells.
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Side effects of lung cancer treatment depend on the type of treatment, and may be different for each person. Side effects are often only temporary. Doctors and nurses can explain possible side effects of treatment and they can suggest ways to help relieve symptoms that may occur during and after the treatment.

Surgery for lung cancer is a major operation. After lung surgery, air and fluid tend to collect in the chest. Patients often need help turning over, coughing and breathing deeply. These activities are important for recovery because they help to expand the remaining lung tissue and removal of excess air and fluid. Pain or weakness in the chest and arm and shortness of breath are common side effects of surgery for lung cancer. Patients may take several weeks or months to regain strength and energy.

Chemotherapy affects both normal and cancer cells. Side effects depend largely on the specific drug and dose (amount of drug administered). Common side effects of chemotherapy are nausea and vomiting, hair loss, mouth sores and fatigue.

Radiation therapy, like chemotherapy, affects normal cells as well as cancer cells. Side effects of radiation therapy depend mainly on the body part being treated and the dose of treatment. Common side effects of radiotherapy are dryness and irritation of the throat, difficulty swallowing food, fatigue, skin changes at the site of treatment and loss of appetite. Patients receiving radiation to the brain may have headaches, skin changes, fatigue, nausea and vomiting, hair loss or problems with memory processes and thoughts.

Photodynamic therapy makes the skin and eyes sensitive to light for 6 weeks or more after treatment. It is recommended that patients avoid direct sunlight and bright indoor light for 6 weeks at least. If patients need to go outside, they must wear protective clothing, including sunglasses. Other temporary side effects of photodynamic therapy may be coughing, difficulty swallowing food and painful breathing or shortness of breath. Patients should consult with your doctor what you should do if they are blisters on the skin or it gets red or swollen.

Today, because of what has been learned in clinical trials, physicians can control, reduce or avoid many of the side effects of treatment.

Radiotherapy is the use of high energy ionizing radiation in order to stop the growth and division of cancer cells in the area where they are used. It is used as local therapy (in the area where the tumor) or locoregional therapy (when including also the nodes near the tumor).

In the case of lung cancer, external radiation is applied, ie, radiation is administered from the outside by a radiation-generating equipment (linear accelerator). The advantage of external beam radiation is not require admission to hospital or is painful for the patient, and is managed by specialists in radiation oncology.

Social relations, labor and patient’s family need not be affected by the fact be receiving this therapy. With external beam therapy radiation is not apparent at any time during or after treatment. Thus, once the daily treatment, the patient may be in contact with others, does not emit any radioactivity.

Radiation therapy uses high energy X-radiation to destroy cancer cells. It uses a device called a linear accelerator that sends rays to the affected area only.

This lung cancer treatment is used sometimes as a primary or principal in patients who can not undergo surgery. In this case, is not to cure but slow the progression of the disease, although some exceptional cases come to heal without surgery, radiation therapy alone.

Radiation therapy to the lung is often used to relieve an airway obstruction leading to cancer.

When radiotherapy is used as a secondary treatment after surgery is primarily used to destroy cells that have not been removed.

Another use for which radiotherapy is used to relieve cancer-causing symptoms such as pain, difficulty swallowing, and so on.

Nicotine potentiates the carcinogenic effect of other substances from smoke snuff and the effects of carcinogens in the environment.

Nicotine acts on the mechanism of apoptosis, or cell death, preventing the cells to commit suicide. When it comes to cancer cells does the same thing which causes or encourages the formation of lung cancer.

In addition to snuff, there are other substances mentioned above which are listed now:

Asbestos: people who work with asbestos are seven times more likely to develop cancer than those who do not maintain contact with it. These people have a type of cancer called mesothelioma, which occurs in the pleura. In recent years, governments have banned the use of this material for commercial and industrial products. When combined with asbestos exposure to smoking, it increases their chances of getting cancer from 50 to 90 times.

Cancer-causing agents in the workplace: an occupational risk group are the miners. They work with materials that, when inhaled, can damage your lungs. Such substances are radioactive minerals such as uranium, and workers exposed to chemicals such as arsenic, vinyl chloride, nickel chromates, coal based products, mustard gas and chloromethyl ethers. People working in these conditions should be careful to avoid exposure to these agents.

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