Lung cancer:- Treatment and Medications

1. Lung cancer- Symptoms, Treatments, and Medications Lung cancer is considered to be the most leading cause of cancer death globally. It is a type of cancer that produces small cancer cells in the lungs. There are two organs in your chest. One is used to inhale the oxygen and another one is to exhale the oxygen. People who are addicted to smoking usually have the highest risk of lung cancer. Even if you quit smoking, it will reduce the chance of developing cancer in your lungs. Initially, at the early ages of lung cancer, none of the symptoms occurs. The symptoms start occurring when the disease increases. Symptoms of Lung Cancer are as- • Long time cough • Coughing with the blood • Shortness of breath • Chest pain • Losing weight • Bone pain • Headache Doctors believe that smoking is the main cause of lung cancer. Lung cancer is divided into two main types of cancer Small cell lung cancer: Small cell lung cancer occurs in heavy smokers and it’s a less common type of lung cancer Non-small cell lung cancer:It’s an umbrella term for different kinds of cancer that are squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, and large cell carcinoma. Other risk factors of lung cancer are • Any previous radiation therapy • Exposure to radon gas • Exposure to asbestos and other carcinogens • Family history of any type of cancer There is not any specific prevention for lung cancer but you can reduce your risk by • Not smoking • Avoid secondhand smoke • Test your home for radon. • Avoid carcinogens at work • Try to eat more fruits and vegetables • Exercise most of the days of the week

2. There are 5 main ways to treat lung cancer • Surgery • Radiation therapy • Chemotherapy • Targeted therapy • Immunotherapy List of medications used in the treatment of lung cancer Medicines approved for non-small cell lung cancer  Abraxane  Afinitor   Gefitinib  Avastin Erlotinib Let’s discuss briefly how these medicines affect the human body and help in stopping and slowing down the speed of cancer cells in the body. Gefitinib- It’s uses and treatment. Gefitinib is the most effective drug to cure lung cancer. This medicine helps to reduce the growth of lung cancer. Gefitinib blocks a certain enzyme called tyrosine kinase. The dosage of this medicine depends upon your health condition. Side effects Most people do not experience all the side effects. • Diarrhea • Skin reaction • Nausea • Vomiting • Itching • Poor appetite • Eye irrational Before taking Gefitinib, do tell your doctor about any other medicine you are taking. Kindly inform your doctor if you are pregnant. This is important for men and women both that do not conceive if you are taking the medication. Do not breastfeed while taking the medicine. Try to drink two to three quarts of liquid in 24 hours. Avoid sun exposure. Do plenty of rest and maintain a good diet while taking this medicine. Abraxane This medicine is used to treat non-small cell lung cancer. You can take the medicine by mouth. It is a combination of carboplatin to cure cancer. People who can't be treated with surgery and radiation are prescribed to this medicine. Side effects of this medicine include:

3. ·Decreased blood cell count ·Nerve problems ·Serve infection ·Breathing issues ·Allergic reactions      Afinitor This medicine is used to prevent non-small cell lung cancer that slows and stops the growth of cancer cells. This medicine is used to treat kidney cancer, breast cancer, and brain tumor as well. This medicine has some serious side effects that ·Fever ·Chills ·Skin rash ·Joint pains ·Tiredness ·Cough ·Chest pain ·Wheezing ·Breathing issues          If you face any kind of symptom while taking this medicine, consult your doctor as soon as possible. Avastin Avastin is an approved medicine use to treat non-small cell lung cancer. This medicine is not used after the surgery. It's a primary treatment which helps to stop and slow the growth of cancer cells. Do not use this medicine if you are pregnant because it might affect the unborn baby. Side effects include: ·High blood pressure ·Too many proteins in the urine ·Back pain ·Taste change ·Dry skin ·Watery eyes ·Headache        Erlotinib- It’s uses and treatment Erlotinib is a generic medicine used as a targeted therapy to cure non-small cell lung cancer. This medicine is in the form of a tablet taken by mouth at least one or two hours before eating.

4. The major side effects of this medicine are rash, diarrhea, poor appetite, fatigue, shortness of breath, cough, nausea, and vomiting. The less common side effects are infection, mouth sores, itching, dry skin, eye infection, and abdominal pain. Tips for self-care- Erlotinib should be taken on an empty stomach. Drink a lot of water in 24 hours while taking the medicine. Conclusion: A proper plan to diagnoses and the treatment of cancer is the main component of any overall cancer control plan. Before taking any medicine, consult your doctor. Read all the user instructions before taking any medicine. Source url- https://ikrishealthtips.weebly.com/blog/lung-cancer-symptoms-treatments-and-medications