lung cancer

Lung Cancer
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Lung Cancer
Among other types of cancer, lung cancer is a severe condition that is linked to high mortality rates. The disease affects the lungs which are vital body organs. However, the management of the lung cancer is apparent in the early cases of diagnosis. The treatment of the condition primarily relies on the type as well as the advancement of the disease. Smoking is the fundamental cause of the lung cancer which is prevalent to both men and women. Additionally, lung cancer can also occur in other individuals who do not smoke. Surgery is a standard way of dealing with cancer through the eradication of the cancerous cells. The procedure may be complicated hence the need to seek the appropriate medic services from the medical practitioners. The paper provides detailed information regarding lung cancer as well as the treatment and diagnosis.
Lung Cancer Types
Small Cell Cancer
It is a type of lung cancer that attributes to approximately fifteen percent of lung cancer reports. It originates from the inner layer of the bronchi and spreads into the surrounding areas. The symptoms of the small cell type may be unnoticed until cancer rapidly spreads to other body parts. The treatment for the small cell lung cancer involves the use of the radiation therapy and the chemotherapy (Tonato, 2002).
Non-small Cell Cancer
It is the type of lung cancer that attributes to 85% of the lung cancer cases. However, it is divided into other categories such as carcinoma and the large cell cancer.

The form of treatment of this type of cancer involves the use of the therapy approaches and use of surgery method.
Risk Factors and Causes of Lung Cancer
Cigarette Smoking
Smoking attributes to a higher percentage of the lung cancer cases. The duration of smoking increases the risks of lung cancer. The individuals who have consumed numerous packs of cigarettes increase their chances of having lung cancer (Tyczynski, 2005). Other aspects such as cigar smokers which are also risk factors for the lung cancer. Tobacco inhalation by the nonsmokers is a lung cancer risk factor.
Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos is a mineral that leads to lung cancer thus leading to asbestos fibers. The workplace exposes individuals to lung cancer due to acoustic and thermal insulation. However, most countries have banned the use of asbestos due to an increase in the cases of lung cancer.
Radon gas Exposure
It is a radioactive gas which emits the ionizing radiation. The gas may pass through water sources as well as the soil thus increasing the risk of suffering from the lung cancer. Use of simple tests can help to detect the presence of the radon gas.
Genetic and Hereditary Factors
Genetic factors can contribute to the cases of lung cancer. The family history with cases of lung cancer can increase the risk factor for the condition. Inheritance of particular genes increases the risk for lung cancer.
Signs and Symptoms of Lung cancer
The use of approaches such as the CT scan and the x-ray can help determine the symptoms of the lung cancer. Aspects such as lung invasion can lead to various symptoms including chest pain and breathe shortness. However, if cancer spreads to other parts such as the nerves, it may lead to shoulder pain.
Lung cancer can lead to excessive pain during the bone involvement. However, lung cancer can spread to the brain and cause headaches as well as blurred vision. Stroke symptoms such as lack of sensation are also significant symptoms of the lung cancer. Other symptoms of the lung cancer include weight loss and weakness. Psychological signs including depression can also occur as a result of lung cancer.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Lung Cancer
Physical Examination and Family history
Family history cases may create suspicions about the lung cancer. The healthcare provider should acquire information concerning smoking risk factors of the person, and the practitioner may detect breath shortness.
Chest x-ray
The process involves the patient to radiation rays which help in viewing the front and the back of the chest. The approach may help in revealing the suspicious areas but may not determine whether the cells are cancerous. Utilization of the chest x-ray may assist in identifying the calcified lung nodules and the tumors.
Use of the Computerized Tomography
The procedure involves the combination of multiple images through the use of a computer to come up with the body cross section. The method is critical and sensitive in detecting the lung nodules. Use of the bone scans through the help of a computer is also a vital method for diagnosing lung cancer (Johnson, Schiller & Bunn, 2014). Surgical operations can be used in the diagnosis and treatment of the lung cancer. The process can help in getting rid of the cancerous cells affecting the vital organs.
Other aspects such as chemotherapy and immunotherapy are also salient in the treatment of the lung cancer. Chemotherapy involves drug administration which limits the spread and growth of the cancerous cells (Johnson, Schiller & Bunn, 2014). Drugs such as erlotinib as well as gefitinib can be used for the treatment of the lung cancer.
Practice of Master’s Prepared Nurse
The information in the lung cancer case informs a Master’s prepared nurse to advance the treatment methods for the lung cancer. Lung cancer can reduce the quality of life of the patient due to lack of early treatment and diagnosis (Haasbeek, Slotman & Senan, 2009). The master’s prepared nurse should provide approaches that help to reduce the side effects of the diagnostic methods. Additionally, patient education is critical to increasing the quality of life.
The case presents critical information concerning the lung cancer treatment. Approaches such as chest x-ray are definite ways for lung cancer diagnosis. Patient safety due to lung cancer includes curbing the aspect of tobacco use and passive smoking risk factors. The patient should also seek medical service at an early stage to reduce the adverse effects of the condition.
Conclusion
In summation, lung cancer has proved to be a severe condition that affects the quality of life of the patient. The medical practitioners should equip the patients for the lung cancer management plan. Elimination of the tobacco use exposure can help to reduce the cases of lung cancer. Eventually, curbing the lung cancer risk factors will curtail the lung cancer cases.
References
Haasbeek, C., Slotman, B., & Senan, S. (2009). Radiotherapy for lung cancer: Clinical impact of
recent technical advances. Lung Cancer, 64(1), 1-8. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.lungcan.2008.07.008
Johnson, D., Schiller, J., & Bunn, P. (2014). Recent Clinical Advances in Lung Cancer
Management. Journal Of Clinical Oncology, 32(10), 973-982. http://dx.doi.org/10.1200/jco.2013.53.1228
Tonato, M. (2002). Chemotherapy of advanced non-small cell lung cancer: any standard
treatment?. Lung Cancer, 37(1), 15-16. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/s0169-5002(02)00032-6
Tyczynski, J. (2005). Mortality From Lung Cancer and Tobacco Smoking in Ohio (U.S.): Will
Increasing Smoking Prevalence Reverse Current Decreases in Mortality?. Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention, 14(5), 1182-1187. http://dx.doi.org/10.1158/1055-9965.epi-04-0699