This means the second one is the cancer that has started its life cycle somewhere else and then ended up in the lungs through metastasis. This is a vast difference from primary lung cancers, originating within the lung. This difference needs to be known because the treatment also varies from one to the other.
What is secondary lung cancer, and what is the difference?
Secondary lung cancer is considered to be an unwelcome guest that originates from another part of the body. The primary type of lung cancer is an issue that has started from within your home, but secondary lung cancer is the kind of issue that may have started in the place next to your house and then spread inside your home. A good number of cancers can reach the lungs but include breast cancer, colorectal, kidney, and prostate.
They break off from where they first originated, get into the bloodstream or lymph, and may lodge almost anywhere. The most common place metastatic cancer finds a lodging site is the lungs, which have many blood vessels for cancer cells to embed to begin growing.
How do physicians diagnose secondary lung cancer?
Sometimes, it appears when routine checkups for primary cancer reveal it. Sometimes, it becomes apparent once a person begins feeling the symptoms.
Physicians often identify secondary lung cancer by:
- Imaging Tests
- X-rays to capture pictures of the lungs
- CT scans to get detailed images
- PET scans to see where the cancer cells are active
- MRI scans to check the spread to other areas
- Bone scans if the disease is suspected of reaching the bones
Tests confirming the diagnosis:
- Biopsy (the process of removal of a small portion of the tissue for examination)
- Blood test
- Breathing tests
- Sputum test
What are the symptoms associated with secondary lung cancer?
This disease also causes the spreading of cancer to the lungs and can produce various symptoms. Not all these symptoms will occur in all people, and some may feel nothing. Some general symptoms include difficulty breathing, continuous coughing, tiredness, and chest pains.
Others may even develop unintended weight loss or cough up small amounts of blood. Remember that all these symptoms might be contributed by other diseases besides cancer, but one should always see a doctor about them.
How do doctors decide on the treatment plan?
Treatment for secondary or metastatic lung cancer is also like putting together the pieces in a puzzle. Physicians examine several crucial factors to decide on the best course of treatment. They include the type of cancer that began first in the body, how far it has progressed, the person’s health condition, and any treatments that have been previously administered.
Treat the case: Most patients aim to reduce growth, manage symptoms, and improve quality of life. In addition to a short disease process, secondary lung cancer also is often not curable. Thus, it most often focuses on improving and controlling the disease with attention rather than on curing the disease, like many cases of primary lung cancers.
What are the available treatments for secondary lung cancers?
Treatment options for secondary lung cancer have greatly improved over the years. There are various treatments, and most doctors provide a combination to increase the chance of getting the best results.
Systemic Treatments (which act upon the entire body)
- Chemotherapy destroys the cells by killing them
- Targeted therapy: Block some particular growth signal
- Immunotherapy to strengthen the immune system against this illness
- Hormone therapy for certain cancers
- Clinical trials of new treatments
Local Treatments (treatments that target specific areas):
- Surgery to remove tumors when possible
- Radiation therapy to shrink tumors
- Radiofrequency ablation destroys cancer cells with heat
- Cryotherapy to freeze cancer cells
- Laser therapy for tumors blocking airways
How can someone cope with the side effects of treatment?
Side effects are such an essential part of this treatment journey through cancer. Modern treatments are getting quite sophisticated as far as killing more than just cancer cells and less often disturbing their regular counterparts. Still, sometimes, this will manifest with side effects.
Tiredness, loss of appetite, feeling sick to your stomach, and skin changes are common side effects. Well, that is all very reassuring for doctors: they can now provide patients with thousands of methods to alleviate all these side effects. Some medicines could counteract the patient’s nausea; techniques help deal with fatigue; even specialists take care of your nutrition and exercise.
What role does nutrition play during treatment?
Good nutrition fuels the body throughout treatment. Maintaining strength, maintaining a healthy weight, and handling side effects are all easier if you eat well. Some may have a more challenging time getting their food intake during treatments. Still, certain things make it relatively more straightforward.
Small, frequent meals are often better than three large meals. Soft, easy-to-eat foods are sometimes easier to manage. Working with a dietitian specializing in cancer care can be very helpful. They can suggest foods that give the most nutrition and help you deal with eating problems during treatment.
How important is emotional support during treatment?
Secondary lung cancer is no less an emotional problem than it is for physical health. The patient is expected to develop worrying, fright, and frustration. Positive emotional support would influence how well somebody manages their diagnosis or treatment.
Support can come in many forms: family and friends, support groups, counselors, religious or spiritual advisors, etc. Most hospitals have special services just for cancer patients and families. These may include counseling, support groups, or even programs that match you up with other patients who’ve gone through similar things.
What about complementary therapies?
Most patients improve when complementary therapies are used in addition to their primary treatment for cancer, such as light exercise, relaxation, massage, acupuncture, etc. These treatments do not cure cancer but sometimes help to alleviate symptoms while improving the quality of life.
What is follow-up care?
Following up on the treatment with another care process is also essential. Most commonly, checkups and scans may be scheduled to monitor how things go with this treatment and recognize early changes. Your healthcare team will collaborate to set up an appropriate follow-up plan that best suits you.
For the following visits, your doctor will determine if you have started to exhibit new symptoms or conduct physical examinations. Your doctor may require tests if it is proper to monitor your response. In addition, it gives the best time to pose questions regarding your concerns and possible side effects.
Conclusion:
Remember, nobody has the same journey when diagnosed with cancer. This means that what works for someone does not work well for someone else. Instead, the approach would be to work with your healthcare team to find the best fit for the given situation. Although facing secondary lung cancer is a challenging journey, many people lead longer and better lives with developments in treatments and the quality of supportive care.
You shouldn’t have a problem raising your questions or seeking help if you need it. Your healthcare team is there to assist you in coming to an understanding of your condition and in that way, helping you make informed decisions concerning your care. With appropriate support and treatment, the majority of people with secondary lung cancer can maintain a high quality of life and live as long as possible continuing to do the things that matter most.
REFERENCES:
https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/lung-cancer-secondary
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4375-lung-cancer
https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/426820-overview?form=fpf
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lung-cancer/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20374627
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482357/