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How to treat squamous cell lung cancer?

rak legkih Lung cancer represents 14% of all diagnoses of malignant tumors and is divided into squamous cell, small cell, large-cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. Most at risk of dying from lung cancer according to statistics, affected men aged 70-79 years. The incidence of lung cancer among males per thousand population is 7 people, and among women 1. In 8 of 10 cases of lung cancer is that the patient is a smoker. Passive Smoking is also dangerous: in families where there are smokers, the likelihood of ill non-family members increased by 30% compared to families in which nobody smokes. In the world every year about 1 million cases of lung cancer, with 60% of patients die.

Squamous cell carcinoma of the lung is one of the most frequent types of lung cancer. When squamous cell carcinoma is a malignant tumor grows from the flat cells of the epithelium of the bronchi. In many cases squamous cell lung cancer, the disease triggered by Smoking.

Causes squamous cell lung cancer

In healthy bronchi the mucous membrane is expelled by ciliated columnar epithelium. Epithelial cilia are constantly moving, creating a current of sputum from the lungs to the oral cavity. This mechanism is able to move within the hour droplets of mucus and dust particles of 1 m, which ensures a continuous cleansing of the bronchial tree for free breathing.

kuryashij chelovek A smoker inhales the tar and various carcinogens that have a detrimental effect on ciliated epithelium. In addition, the ciliated epithelium of the smoker just can't cope with all foreign substances, trapped in the bronchi, causing the walls accumulate debris and there is a threat of damage to the walls of the bronchi. Over time, the walls of the bronchial tubes begin to adapt to a hostile environment (tobacco smoke): the cilia gradually disappear, and in their place are flat epithelial cells. In this case the mucous membrane of bronchial tree loses the ability to push it from foreign particles, but the internal surface of the bronchi becomes denser and stronger.

In violation of the functions of the ciliated epithelium in the bronchi begins to accumulate phlegm, which causes the smoker to the development of chronic bronchitis. Chronic bronchitis and carcinogens contained in tobacco smoke, and contribute to the development of lung cancer.

The second cause of lung cancer after Smoking, is radon gas. Radon enters the atmosphere as a result of the decay of uranium in the earth's crust. The radon concentration in the atmosphere depends on the terrain and increased in areas rich in uranium deposits and granite. To reduce the concentration of radon in buildings, they should be regularly and well ventilated (the radon gas has no smell).

Air pollution by dust also plays a significant role in the incidence of lung cancer. When the concentration of dust in air is only 1%, the probability of developing lung cancer increases by 14%.

What is squamous cell lung cancer?

Squamous cell carcinoma of the lung in 70% of cases starts in the root of the lung and 30% of cases in the bronchial wall. A malignant tumor has a rounded shape with increasing of the tumor, its Central portion nekrotizirutee and in tumors formed cavity.

Squamous cell lung cancer is characterized by slow growth and a low incidence of metastases at the initial stage of the disease. Most often detected cancer at the stage when the tumor causes obstruction of the bronchus and in the lymph nodes metastases appeared.

Squamous cell carcinoma is divided into moderately differentiated, highly differentiated, and little differentiated. Differentiatedsquamous cell carcinoma develops more slowly than other types. Undifferentiated carcinoma occurs rapidly and is accompanied by extensive metastasis. Small cell carcinoma differs a hidden leak, early metastasis and is considered one of the most malignant tumors.

Lung cancer symptoms

To symptoms of lung cancer include:

  • odyshkaa long persistent cough;
  • the occurrence of hoarseness in the voice;
  • shortness of breath;
  • pain in chest with deep inhalation;
  • frequent bronchitis, pneumonia and other diseases;
  • causeless weakness;
  • rapid decline of body weight;
  • mucus with blood when you cough;
  • the increase in temperature.

Lung cancer has similar symptoms with less dangerous pulmonary diseases, and at the initial stage generally develops without symptoms. To identify it at early stages it is sometimes possible by routine x-ray examination. For diagnosis using computer tomography, angiography and bone scan. In order to determine the type of malignant tumors do bronchoscopy, a biopsy of the tumor, a lymph node biopsy, carried out a blood test for tumor markers.

Symptoms of lung cancer depend on the initial localization of the tumor process. Distinguish between Central and peripheral cancer of lung cancer.

When the Central cancer, a tumor that begins to grow from the mucosa of the large bronchi, causes a disturbance patency, and also affects the ventilation of lung segments or an entire lung. During germination of the tumor in the pleura and the nerve trunks appears pain. Joining the process of metastasis cause secondary symptoms, which depend on where the metastasis is.

Peripheral lung cancer are asymptomatic at the initial stage, because the lung tissue has no pain endings. Then the tumor grows in size and germinate in neighbouring authorities.

Stages of lung cancer

Lung cancer is divided into 4 stages:

  • the 1st stage in a single segment of the lung or bronchus develops a tumor up to 3 cm in diameter;
  • on the 2nd stage in the segment of bronchus or lung revealed a tumor up to 6 cm in diameter, with isolated metastases in the lymph nodes;
  • on the 3rd stage, the tumor becomes a diameter of 6 cm and grows in a neighbouring bronchus or the adjacent lobe;
  • on the 4th stage, the tumor extends to adjacent organs and gives extensive multiple metastases.

Diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer

80% of patients diagnosed with lung cancer by using x-ray examination. To clarify the diagnosis using computer tomography, which allows to determine the presence of metastases in other organs.

In cases of suspected lung cancer must be carried out bronchoscopy. It allows you to explore a part of the bronchi and the trachea. In some cases during bronchoscopy, the doctor can see the tumor and make the collection of material for biopsy.

diagnostika raka legkihIn the presence of tumor in the lung or in cases of suspected metastasis in the lung is performed transthoracic biopsy. During a biopsy, make a puncture in the chest directly over the tumor and take out her cloth. After conducting cantorcasino biopsy may cause complications.

Diagnosis of lung cancer using ultrasound is a simple, inexpensive and non-traumatic. With the help of ultrasound can determine how far the spread of cancer.

Treatment of squamous cell lung cancer is surgical method, radiation therapy, chemotherapy. Surgery removes the primary tumor, lymph nodes and tissue with metastases. Surgical treatment is conducted for the following contraindications: cardiovascularfailure, with distant metastases, with a strong spread of the tumor to adjacent organs.

Radiation therapy is performed after surgery. Irradiation is exposed and the location of the tumor and metastasis.

Chemotherapy for lung cancer is carried out in the presence of contraindications for surgical treatment. When receiving chemotherapy drugs tumor shrinkage is observed far not in all patients. When distant metastases chemotherapy only leads to a reduction in the severity of the malignancy.

In the case where a surgical method of treatment was inconclusive or contraindicated, used palliative treatment (pain relief, detoxification, psychological help). Palliative care in every specific case individually.