Small Cell Lung Cancer

1.
Small cell lung cancer.
2.
Non-small cell lung cancer.

Distinction between the two is important, as both differ in the treatment.

Small cell lung cancer is a disease in which cancer cells form in the tissues of the lung. Smoking tobacco is the major risk factor for developing small cell lung cancer. Other risk factors of small cell lung cancer include, smoking cigarettes, cigars, or pipes; exposure to second hand smoke; and exposure to asbestos or radon.

Symptoms of small cell lung cancer are the following:

1.
Shortness of breath.

2.
Pain in chest.

3.
A cough that doesn't go away.

4.
Wheezing.

5.
Coughing up blood.

6.
Hoarseness.

7.
Loss of appetite.

8.
Weight loss for no reason.

9.
Unusual tiredness.

10.
Swelling of the face and neck.

Tests and procedures to examine small cell lung cancer:

1.
An X-ray of the organs and bones inside the chest is done to check for the cancer cells.

2.
An exam of the body to check general signs such as lumps or anything that seems unusual is checked. Patient is also asked for his/her past illness and health habits.

3.
A CT scan of the brain, chest and abdomen is done to receive the detailed pictures of areas inside the body.

4.
PET scan which is known as Positron Emission Tomography scan is done to find cancer tumor cells in the body.

5.
Sputum cytology is done to check for cancer cells in the mucus coughed up from the lungs.

6.
A bronchoscope is inserted through the nose or mouth into the trachea and lungs to check for cancer cells in the abnormal areas.

7.
FNA which is known as Fine-Needle aspiration biopsy of the lung is also done.

8.
A surgical procedure to look at the organs inside the chest to check for cancer cells in the abnormal areas. An incision is made between two ribs and a Thoracoscope is inserted into the chest.

9.
Thorantesis is done to remove the fluid from the space between the lining of the chest and the lung to look for cancer cells.

Chances of recovery of a cancer patient depend on the stage on which his/her cancer is, and on the gender of the patient. For knowing the stage of cancer following tests are done:

# Laboratory tests.

# Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy.

# MRI.

# Endoscopic ultrasound.

# Lymph node biopsy.

# Radionuclide bone scan.

There are two stages of small cell lung cancer that are:

1.
Limited stage small cell lung cancer: In this cancer is found in one lung, the tissues between the lungs and nearby lymph nodes only.

2.
Extensive stage small cell lung cancer: In this cancer is spread outside the lung in which it began or to other parts of the body.

Treatment of small cell lung cancer is done through surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Some follow ups that are used:

1.
Patients who are receiving chemotherapy require close monitoring for side effects and there response to therapy.
2.
A blood count is needed after each cycle of chemotherapy to ensure that the bone marrow has recovered before the next dose of chemotherapy is given.
3.
Kidney functions are also monitored regularly.
4.
The patient is advised a CT scan after every two cycles of chemotherapy.