Lung Cancer Cost in South Africa

Lung cancer is a disease characterized by the uncontrolled division of cells in the lungs. Normally, cells divide and replicate as part of their normal function. However, sometimes mutations occur, causing cells to divide uncontrollably. These damaged cells form masses, or tumors, which can eventually impair the function of organs.

It refers to cancers that originate in the lungs, generally in the airways (bronchi or bronchioles) or the small air sacs (alveoli). Cancers that originate in other parts of the body and spread to the lungs are usually referred to by the location where they began. In such cases, your doctor may describe this condition as metastatic cancer to the lungs.

Moreover, It is the third most common Cancer in the USA and is caused by harmful cells present in the lungs that grow unchecked. Different types of treatment are Chemotherapy, Immunotherapy, Radiation, and Targeted drugs. Advancements in the treatment options are causing a significant decline in lung cancer deaths.

Types

Following are different kinds of Lung Cancer

• Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common type of lung cancer, accounting for over 80% of cases. Adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are two popular kinds of non-small cell lung cancer. Sarcomatoid and adenosquamous carcinomas are less prevalent.
• Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) grows more rapidly and is more challenging to treat than NSCLC. It is often detected as a relatively small lung tumor that has already spread to other parts of the body. Specific types of SCLC include small cell carcinoma (also known as oat cell carcinoma) and combined small cell carcinoma.

Other Types of Cancer in the Lungs

Other cancers can originate in or around the lungs, such as

• lymphomas (cancer in the lymph nodes)
• sarcomas (cancer in the bones or soft tissue)
• pleural mesothelioma (cancer in the lining of the lungs)

These cancers are treated differently and are usually not classified as lung cancer.

Lung Cancer Stages

It is important to determine the stage of lung cancer by finding out how far the cancer has spread, before initiating treatment of lung cancer.
The following are the four lung cancer stages of NSCLC:

• Stage 1 lung cancer: Cancer is restricted to the lung
• Stage 2 lung cancer: Cancer has spread to the nearby lymph nodes
• Stage 3 lung cancer: (3a) Cancer is in the lung and the lymph nodes located on the same side (3b) Cancer is in the lung and has spread to lymph nodes on the opposite side
• Stage 4 lung cancer: Cancer has spread to both the lungs and other organs and surrounding tissues

Treatments for lung cancer comprise surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted medication therapy, immunotherapy, and radiofrequency ablation.

Surgery: Surgery might be a possibility for SCLC localized to a single tumor and NSCLC that hasn't spread. Surgeons might remove the tumor along with a small margin of healthy tissue to ensure no cancer cells are left behind. Sometimes, all or part of the lung is removed (resection) to maximize the chances of preventing cancer recurrence.

Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA): NSCLC tumors near the outer edges of the lungs may be treated with radiofrequency ablation (RFA), which uses high-energy radio waves to heat and destroy cancer cells.

Radiation Therapy: Radiation therapy uses high-energy beams to kill cancer cells. It can be used alone or to enhance the effectiveness of surgery. Radiation is also used for palliative care to shrink tumors and relieve pain and is applicable for both NSCLC and SCLC.

Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy involves a combination of medications designed to stop cancer cells from growing. It can be administered before or after surgery or alongside other treatments like immunotherapy. Chemotherapy for lung cancer is given through an IV.

Targeted Drug Therapy: In some cases of NSCLC, cancer cells have specific mutations that help them grow. Targeted drug therapy aims to slow down or destroy these cancer cells by targeting these mutations. Angiogenesis inhibitors are another type of targeted therapy that prevents tumors from forming new blood vessels, which are necessary for cancer growth.

Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy helps the immune system's ability to identify and attack cancerous cells. Normally, the immune system can destroy harmful cells, but cancer cells often evade detection. Immunotherapy makes the immune system aware of cancer cells, helping the body to fight the disease.

Palliative Care: Some treatments aim to relieve symptoms such as pain and difficulty breathing. These palliative treatments include therapies to reduce or remove tumors blocking airways and procedures to remove and prevent the recurrence of fluid around the lungs.

Immediately after the surgery, the Patient will be moved to a recovery room until they wake up from the anesthesia. Patients will be closely monitored during their stay in the recovery room, which lasts a few hours. If necessary, the Patient may be transferred from the recovery room to the intensive care unit (ICU) and connected to a ventilator. Once your health stabilizes, you will be moved to a regular hospital room.

The patient will need to stay in the hospital for up to a week after the surgery. Supportive care is a crucial part of cancer treatment, and palliative care specialists work with the patient to manage cancer symptoms and treatment side effects, thereby improving mood and quality of life. A respiratory therapist will assist them with using a spirometer and guide them through breathing exercises to aid in their recovery.

A drainage tube may be in place for a few days or until the surgeon determines that drainage has stopped. The patient will be gradually encouraged to increase their activity level to regain strength.