Going in, it has been difficult even for the best cancer doctors to predict the usefulness of chemotherapy in preventing tumor recurrence and in improving survival chances. Chemotherapy is a drug or a combination of medications administered through orally or through the veins. This helps kill cancer cells. For lung cancer patients, chemotherapy is the primary treatment for small cell lung cancer (SCLC) while being an adjunctive treatment for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Chemotherapy is the preferred treatment of SCLC because this type of lung cancer grows and spreads quickly, invading areas outside the lungs, and responds well to chemotherapy. For NSCLC, chemotherapy is used after surgery or in conjunction with radiation when needed. A study revealed that while the 5-year survival rate of NSCLC patients who do undergo chemotherapy is 69%, the 5-year survival rate of NSCLC patients who do not undergo chemotherapy is 54%; that is a gap of 15%. For SCLC patients, remission and good palliation, although short sometimes, is achieved in more than 80% of the patients.
But, is chemotherapy the cure-all? No. Some of the best cancer doctors will agree that although chemotherapy has come a long way and has become less invasive, it still has a lot of side effects. Let's discuss them.
Side effects of chemotherapy in lung cancer patients
First thing first, not everyone will experience the same side effects. The side effects of chemotherapy vary with the stage of cancer and the dosage, as well as the duration of the treatment.
· Nausea & Vomiting
Nausea and vomiting are common side effects of chemotherapy. But, these days, medications are given along with chemotherapy not to treat but to prevent nausea and vomiting entirely.
· Breathing issues
If you went to a cancer specialist in Delhi or anywhere in the world, they would tell you that breathing problems are already prevalent in lung cancer patients. But, it is important to note that chemotherapy can reduce lung capacity, induce anaemia and anxiety, leading to breathing problems. This, however, can be managed or avoided by managing anxiety, breathing exercises, and eating well.
· Mouth Sores
Half the people on chemotherapy for lung cancer develop mouth sores. While it is mostly a nuisance causing discomfort, it can sometimes cause secondary infections or thrush. Cancer patients can keep their lips and mouth moist, keep themselves hydrated, use saliva substitutes, or add baking soda/salt to the water they drink.
· Taste Changes
"Metal mouth" is common in lung cancer patients going through chemotherapy. But it can be manageable by eating small meals frequently, keeping the stomach empty 1/2 hours before and 3 hours after chemotherapy, chewing gum, eating mint, and using plastic utensils.
· Loss of appetite
Adequate nutrition is very important in lung cancer patients; it prevents cancer cachexia, a leading cause of cancer death. But with chemotherapy, the appetite decreases. There are several ways to combat that, including lifestyle changes, eating with people, eating several small meals a day, etc.
· Fatigue
Lung cancer patients on chemotherapy can often feel fatigued. An active lifestyle and physiotherapy can help.
· Anaemia
A low red blood cell count or anaemia is common among lung cancer patients on chemotherapy and cause fatigue. It can either be tackled by taking adequate rest and giving time, or through medications if necessary.
· Hair Loss
Some of the chemotherapy drugs can cause hair loss. However, it can now be prevented to a great extent by using cool caps. Also, after the chemotherapy is over, most of the time, the hair loss is reversed.
There are several other side effects of chemotherapy in lung cancer patients. Several specialists around the world like Dr. Manish Singhal, the best Oncologist in Noida, are not only acing the understanding of lung cancer treatment but, they are also adopting different techniques to deal with the side effects.
The question remains. Is there a better lung cancer treatment or an advanced treatment option available?
Advanced lung cancer treatment option
If you're seeking advanced lung cancer treatment in Delhi from cancer specialists like Dr. Manish Singhal, you will come to know of the new and improved ways researchers are using to battle lung cancer. Some of them are:
Targeted therapy- As researchers and the best cancer doctors learn about the inner workings of lung cancer cells, they can understand how these cells grow and spread. With this knowledge, targeted therapy drugs like sunitinib, sorafenib, vandetanib, and cabozantinib are being used to tackle lung cancer.
Immunotherapy- Immunotherapy is not new, but the advancements are. Immunotherapy drugs can essentially strengthen a person's immune system, so it fights and cells the cancer cells.
Real-time tumor imaging enhanced radiation- Radiation is a popular lung cancer treatment, but it was previously highly unspecific, leading to unnecessary cell damage. So, with real-time tumor imaging, that can be avoided, and a more precise radiation delivery can be achieved.
What do we infer?
In conclusion, it is evident that chemotherapy still plays a great role in treating lung cancer. Yes, new treatment options are evolving every day, and hopefully, chemotherapy and it's counterparts will get less invasive with every passing adjustment. But, till then, if you get diagnosed with lung cancer, all is not lost. You have a lot of options and opportunities. To understand your options, you can and should consult a respectable practitioner equipped with modern technology like Dr. Manish Singhal, the best lung cancer doctor in Delhi NCR. You deserve the best.
