Small cell lung cancer, which is also known as oat cell cancer, is considered to be less common compared to the non-small cell lung cancer. This type of lung cancer is characterized by its rapid growth and is also more likely to spread to other body organs. Small cell lung cancer usually starts growing quickly on the larger breathing tubes and also gains larger size at the period of diagnosis.
Causes for small cell lung cancer
The side-effect of tobacco smoking is one of the major causes for small cell lung cancer. Cigarette smoking causes almost 87% of lung cancers and also the others could be caused by tobacco smoke exposure. Other etiologies of small cell lung cancer include work hazards like exposure to cancer-causing agents as well as personal or genealogy of lung cancer. Health professionals advise keeping away from cigarette smoking as well as contact with hazardous substances.
Symptoms of small cell lung cancer
Persistent coughing, continuous pain in the thoracic cavity, dyspnea, and blood during coughing are the initial symptoms of small cell lung cancer. Once small cell lung cancer reaches the advanced stage, symptoms vary depending upon the organ where it metastasized. Once the small cell lung cancer develops metastasis in the brain, possibilities of loss memory and constant headache develop.
Diagnosis of small cell lung cancer
CT scans, MRIs, and X-rays could quickly diagnose small cell lung cancer. By making use of all these analysis methods, the area, size, and shape of the tumor may easily be discovered. In some cases lung biopsy and sputum cytology are more helpful than any alternative diagnostic procedure.
Treatment of small cell lung cancer
Limited or extensive are the two types that will typically take place as small cell lung cancer. In most cases when small cell lung cancer is located this has multiplied more and more, and surgical procedure is questionable to stop the cancer. The recommended treatment method for this disease is surgery paired with chemotherapy.
Limited stage of small cell lung cancer
Even you are suffering from a limited stage of small cell lung cancer, the majority of physicians advise radiation treatment. Your medical doctor may possibly choose surgery followed by chemotherapy in case your lung contains single nodule with no any other evidence of cancer elsewhere. The most common blend of medicines employed is actually carboplatin or cisplatin blended with etoposide, continued for 6 months. Some facts demonstrates that adding paclitaxel or topotecan with this combination may possibly rise the survival rate.
Moreover, radiation therapy might produce successful outcomes rather than surgery or chemotherapy in the early stages of small cell lung cancer. Lack of breath as well as trouble swallowing right after the radiation exposure may occur. Chest radiation therapy is contraindicated in other types of serious health complications or severe lung disease.
Extensive stage of small cell lung cancer
Chemotherapy alone can alleviate symptoms in the case of extensive stage of small cell lung cancer. The most preferred drug combination therapy is cisplatin or carboplatin along with etoposide. This combination improves blood cell count. After eight months the small cell lung cancer is immune to this treatment and you may opt for a second type of chemotherapy which is usually only for a short time. The common drugs used as second type of chemotherapy include docetaxel, irinotecan, gemcitabine, vinorelbine, methotrexate, paclitaxel, topotecan, ifofamide, and cyclophosphamide. Once a metastasis forms either in bone or brain, radiation therapy is sometimes used for small cell lung cancer.
