September 30, 2012

When Lung Cancer Patients Should Consultation Doctor?


Signs Cancer and Cancer symptoms, in this case lung cancer should consult with a healthcare provider if they find signs cancer and cancer symptoms associated with lung cancer, especially, if they have:
• a persistent cough new or worsening an existing chronic cough,
• blood in the sputum,
• persistent bronchitis or respiratory infections repeatedly,
• chest pain,

• loss of weight that can not be explained and / or fatigue, and / or,
• Difficulty breathing such as shortness of breath (wheezing).

Diagnosis of Lung Cancer


Doctors use a broad limitation of diagnostic procedures and tests to diagnose lung cancer. These include:

• history and physical examination may reveal the presence of cancer symptoms or signs cancer are suspicious for lung cancer. In addition to questions about cancer symptoms and risk factors for developing lung cancer, doctors may detect signs of cancer from breathing difficulties, airway obstruction, or infections in the lungs. Cyanosis, a color of skin and mucous membranes are bluish caused by insufficient oxygen in the blood, suggesting that lung function compromised. Likewise, changes in the fundamentals of nail tissue, known as clubbing, it may also indicate lung disease.

• Chest X-ray is the first diagnostic step if the most common symptoms of lung cancer is present anywhere new. Chest x-ray procedure often involves a picture from back to front chest and also a picture from the side. Such as x-ray procedure anywhere, x-ray chest briefly exposing patients to a small amount of radiation. Chest X-ray may reveal suspicious areas in the lung but was unable to ascertain whether these areas are cancerous. Especially, the calcifying nodules in the lungs or benign tumors called hamartomas may be identified on a chest x-ray and mimicking lung cancer.

• CT (computerized axial tomography scan, or CAT scan) scans may be carried on the chest, abdomen, and / or brain to examine both tumor and primary tumor spread. A chest CT scan may be ordered when x-rays are negative or not getting enough information about the extent or location of a tumor. CT scans are the procedures of x-ray that combines various images (multiple images) with the aid of a computer to produce cross sectional images of the body. The pictures taken by an x-ray machines are large donut-shaped in different angles around the body. An advantage of CT scans is that they are more sensitive than standard chest x-rays in detecting lung nodules. Sometimes contrast material into the blood which is given before the procedure to help describe the organs and their positions. A CT scans expose patients to a very small amount of radiation. The most common side effect is an unfavorable reaction to the contrast material is introduced into the blood that may have been given before the procedure. Possible itching, rash, or red spots itch and swelling (hives), which generally disappears quite quickly. These reactions are severe anaphylactic (allergic reactions to life-threatening breathing difficulties) of contrast material is rare. CT scans of the abdomen may identify cancers that spread within the liver or adrenal glands, and CT scans of the head may be ordered to reveal the presence and extent of cancer spread (metastatic cancer) in the brain.

• A technique called a low-dose helical CT scan (or spiral CT scans) are sometimes used in screening (screening) of lung cancer. This procedure requires a special type of CAT scanners and has been demonstrated as an effective tool for detecting small lung cancer in smokers, ex-smokers and former smokers. However, still not proven whether the use of these techniques actually save the lives or reduce the risk of death from lung cancer. Heightened sensitivity of this method is actually one of the sources of its shortcomings, because the lung nodules requiring further evaluation will be seen in approximately 20% of people with this technique. Of nodules identified by low-dose helical screening CTs, 90% are not cancerous but require up to two years of tests and follow-up is expensive and often not pleasant. The experiments were on their way to ensure further use of spiral CT scans in screening (screening) of lung cancer.

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans may be proposed if the exact details about the location of the tumor is needed. MRI techniques using magnetism, radio waves and a computer to produce images of body structures. As with CT scanning, patients are placed on a moveable bed that is inserted into the MRI scanner. No side effects are known from MRI scanning, and no exposure to radiation. Image and resolution produced by MRI is quite detailed and can detect tiny changes of structures within the body. People with hyper-pacemaker (heart pacemakers), planting, planting of metal (metal implants), artificial heart valves (artificial heart valves), and the structures that can not be surgically implanted in the scan with an MRI because of the risk magnet may move the metal parts of these structures.

• Positron emission tomography (PET) scanning is a special drawing technique that uses radioactive elements which shortens the lifespan to produce color images of three-dimensional elements that function in the body. Where CT scans and MRI scans to look at anatomical structures, PET scans measure the function and tissue metabolic activity. PET scans can determine whether a tumor tissue is actively growing and can assist in ensuring the type of cells in a particular tumor. In PET scanning, patients received a drug is a short-lived radioactive half and received roughly the amount of radiation exposure such as with two chest x-ray. Drug release positrons from wherever they are used in the body. When positrons encounter electrons within the body, a reaction producing gamma rays occurs. A scanner records these gamma rays to map the dam areas where the drug is placed. For example, combining glucose (a common source of energy in the body) with a radioactive element will show where glucose is being used in a growing tumor.

• Bone scans are used to create images of bones on a computer screen or on film. Doctors may order a bone scan to determine whether a lung cancer has spread to the bones. On a bone scan, a small amount of radioactive material injected into the bloodstream and collects in the bones, especially in areas such as those engaged by abnormal tumors that spread (metastatic tumors). Which radioactive material is detected by a scanner, and images of the bones is recorded on a special film for permanent observation.

• Sputum cytology: Diagnosis of lung cancer always requires confirmation of malignant cells by a pathologist, even when the symptoms and studies of x-rays suspicious for lung cancer. The simplest method to establish the diagnosis is the examination of sputum under a microscope. If a tumor is found centrally and has invaded the streets of the air, this procedure, known as an examination of sputum cytology, may allow visualization of the tumor cells for diagnosis. This is the network diagnostic procedure of the least risky and expensive, but its value is limited because the tumor cells will not always be present in sputum, even if it was a tumor present. Also, the cells are not cancerous may occasionally run perubahn-change as a reaction to inflammation or injury that makes them look like cancer cells.

• bronchoscopy: Examination of the airway by bronchoscopy (visualization of the streets of air through a small tube inserted through the nose or mouth) may reveal areas of tumor that can be sampled for diagnostic pathology. A tumor in the central areas of the lung or arising from the streets of larger air can be accessed to retrieve samples using this technique. Bronchoscopy may be performed using a fiberoptic bronchoscope premises rigid or flexible and can be implemented in a room for outpatient bronchoscopy on the same day, an operating room, or a hospital room. The procedure can be uncomfortable and require sedation or anesthesia. Where this procedure is relatively safe, this procedure must be performed by a lung specialist (pulmonologist or surgeon) who are experienced in this procedure. If a tumor has been visualized and taken quite for example, an accurate diagnosis of cancer is usually possible. Some patients may cough up blood is dark brown to one to two days after this procedure. Complications are more serious and rarely include a greater amount of bleeding, decreased levels of oxygen in the blood, and cardiac arrhythmias as well as complications of tranquilizers and general anesthesia.

• Needle biopsy: Fine needle aspiration (FNA) through the skin, most commonly performed with radiological images for guidance, it may be worthwhile to get back to the cells for the diagnosis of tumor nodules in the lung. Needle biopsies are particularly valuable when lung tumors located around the lungs and can not be accessed to retrieve samples by bronchoscopy. A small amount of local anesthetic administered prior to entry of a thin needle through the chest wall into the area of ​​abnormal lung. Cells are sucked into the spray (syringe) and examined under a microscope for tumor cells. This procedure is generally accurate when tissue from the affected area in the sample (sampled) to taste, but in some cases, adjacent areas or who are not involved in the sample of the lung may be wrong. A small risk (3% -5%) of the leakage of air from the lungs (called a pneumothorax, which can be easily treated) accompany this procedure.

• Thoracentesis: Sometimes lung cancer involving the lining tissue of the lungs (pleura) and lead to an accumulation of fluid in the space between the lung and chest wall (called a pleural effusion). Aspiration of a sample of this fluid with a thin needle (Thoracentesis) may reveal cancerous cells and determine the diagnosis. Just like a needle biopsy, a small risk of a pneumothorax associated with this procedure.

• Main Operating Procedures: If none of the methods mentioned above yield a diagnosis, methods of operation must be done to obtain tumor tissue for diagnosis. These can include mediastinoscopy (examining the chest cavity between the lung through a surgically inserted examination with biopsy of the tumor masses or lymph nodes) or (surgically opening the chest wall with removal tumor as much as possible). Thoracotomy is rarely able to lift full of a lung cancer, and both mediastinoscopy and thoracotomy carry the risks of major surgical procedures (such as bleeding complications, and risks of anesthesia and drugs). This procedure is performed in an operating room, and the patient must stay in the hospital.

• Blood tests-ice: When routine blood tests alone can not diagnose lung cancer, they may reveal abnormalities-kelaianan biochemical or metabolic in the body that accompanies cancer. example, levels of calcium or alkaline phosphatase enzymes that increase may accompany a cancer that spreads to the bones. Likewise, the levels of certain enzymes that are normally present in liver cells is increased, including aspartate aminotransferase (AST or SGOT) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT or SGPT), indicating liver damage, possibly through the presence of tumor spread.


Increased Lung Cancer


Level of a tumor refers to the extent a cancer has spread in the body. The increase involves both the evaluation of the size of a tumor and also the presence or absence of spread areas in lymph nodes or other organs. The increase is important to determine how a particular tumor to be treated, because the therapies for lung cancer were matched with the level of tumor-specific level. Enhancement of a tumor also is critical in predicting the prognosis of a patient, the tumors higher levels generally have a worse prognosis than tumors of lower levels.
Doctors may use several tests to accurately load the level of a lung cancer, including laboratory tests (blood chemistry), x-rays, CT scans, bone scans, and MRI-scans.tes abnormal blood chemistry tests may indicates the presence of places spread of cancer in the bones or liver, and radiology procedures can document the size of a tumor and also the possible spread to other organs.

NSCLC is given a level from I to IV in order of severity:

• In stage I, cancer confined to the lung.
• At level II and III, the cancer is confined to the chest (with tumors larger and more invasive classified as level III).
• Stage IV cancer has spread away from the chest to other parts of the body.
SCLC improved using a system composed of two:
• the limited SCLC refers to cancer confined to the area of ​​origin within the chest.
• At the level of extensive SCLC, the cancer has spread beyond the breast to other parts of the body.

The signs cancer and symptoms cancer is cancer we must be cautious, and should be promptly diagnosed if you still love your lungs, and of course loving your life! (*)
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When Lung Cancer Patients Should Consultation Doctor?


Signs Cancer and Cancer symptoms, in this case lung cancer should consult with a healthcare provider if they find signs cancer and cancer symptoms associated with lung cancer, especially, if they have:
• a persistent cough new or worsening an existing chronic cough,
• blood in the sputum,
• persistent bronchitis or respiratory infections repeatedly,
• chest pain,

• loss of weight that can not be explained and / or fatigue, and / or,
• Difficulty breathing such as shortness of breath (wheezing).

Diagnosis of Lung Cancer


Doctors use a broad limitation of diagnostic procedures and tests to diagnose lung cancer. These include:

• history and physical examination may reveal the presence of cancer symptoms or signs cancer are suspicious for lung cancer. In addition to questions about cancer symptoms and risk factors for developing lung cancer, doctors may detect signs of cancer from breathing difficulties, airway obstruction, or infections in the lungs. Cyanosis, a color of skin and mucous membranes are bluish caused by insufficient oxygen in the blood, suggesting that lung function compromised. Likewise, changes in the fundamentals of nail tissue, known as clubbing, it may also indicate lung disease.

• Chest X-ray is the first diagnostic step if the most common symptoms of lung cancer is present anywhere new. Chest x-ray procedure often involves a picture from back to front chest and also a picture from the side. Such as x-ray procedure anywhere, x-ray chest briefly exposing patients to a small amount of radiation. Chest X-ray may reveal suspicious areas in the lung but was unable to ascertain whether these areas are cancerous. Especially, the calcifying nodules in the lungs or benign tumors called hamartomas may be identified on a chest x-ray and mimicking lung cancer.

• CT (computerized axial tomography scan, or CAT scan) scans may be carried on the chest, abdomen, and / or brain to examine both tumor and primary tumor spread. A chest CT scan may be ordered when x-rays are negative or not getting enough information about the extent or location of a tumor. CT scans are the procedures of x-ray that combines various images (multiple images) with the aid of a computer to produce cross sectional images of the body. The pictures taken by an x-ray machines are large donut-shaped in different angles around the body. An advantage of CT scans is that they are more sensitive than standard chest x-rays in detecting lung nodules. Sometimes contrast material into the blood which is given before the procedure to help describe the organs and their positions. A CT scans expose patients to a very small amount of radiation. The most common side effect is an unfavorable reaction to the contrast material is introduced into the blood that may have been given before the procedure. Possible itching, rash, or red spots itch and swelling (hives), which generally disappears quite quickly. These reactions are severe anaphylactic (allergic reactions to life-threatening breathing difficulties) of contrast material is rare. CT scans of the abdomen may identify cancers that spread within the liver or adrenal glands, and CT scans of the head may be ordered to reveal the presence and extent of cancer spread (metastatic cancer) in the brain.

• A technique called a low-dose helical CT scan (or spiral CT scans) are sometimes used in screening (screening) of lung cancer. This procedure requires a special type of CAT scanners and has been demonstrated as an effective tool for detecting small lung cancer in smokers, ex-smokers and former smokers. However, still not proven whether the use of these techniques actually save the lives or reduce the risk of death from lung cancer. Heightened sensitivity of this method is actually one of the sources of its shortcomings, because the lung nodules requiring further evaluation will be seen in approximately 20% of people with this technique. Of nodules identified by low-dose helical screening CTs, 90% are not cancerous but require up to two years of tests and follow-up is expensive and often not pleasant. The experiments were on their way to ensure further use of spiral CT scans in screening (screening) of lung cancer.

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans may be proposed if the exact details about the location of the tumor is needed. MRI techniques using magnetism, radio waves and a computer to produce images of body structures. As with CT scanning, patients are placed on a moveable bed that is inserted into the MRI scanner. No side effects are known from MRI scanning, and no exposure to radiation. Image and resolution produced by MRI is quite detailed and can detect tiny changes of structures within the body. People with hyper-pacemaker (heart pacemakers), planting, planting of metal (metal implants), artificial heart valves (artificial heart valves), and the structures that can not be surgically implanted in the scan with an MRI because of the risk magnet may move the metal parts of these structures.

• Positron emission tomography (PET) scanning is a special drawing technique that uses radioactive elements which shortens the lifespan to produce color images of three-dimensional elements that function in the body. Where CT scans and MRI scans to look at anatomical structures, PET scans measure the function and tissue metabolic activity. PET scans can determine whether a tumor tissue is actively growing and can assist in ensuring the type of cells in a particular tumor. In PET scanning, patients received a drug is a short-lived radioactive half and received roughly the amount of radiation exposure such as with two chest x-ray. Drug release positrons from wherever they are used in the body. When positrons encounter electrons within the body, a reaction producing gamma rays occurs. A scanner records these gamma rays to map the dam areas where the drug is placed. For example, combining glucose (a common source of energy in the body) with a radioactive element will show where glucose is being used in a growing tumor.

• Bone scans are used to create images of bones on a computer screen or on film. Doctors may order a bone scan to determine whether a lung cancer has spread to the bones. On a bone scan, a small amount of radioactive material injected into the bloodstream and collects in the bones, especially in areas such as those engaged by abnormal tumors that spread (metastatic tumors). Which radioactive material is detected by a scanner, and images of the bones is recorded on a special film for permanent observation.

• Sputum cytology: Diagnosis of lung cancer always requires confirmation of malignant cells by a pathologist, even when the symptoms and studies of x-rays suspicious for lung cancer. The simplest method to establish the diagnosis is the examination of sputum under a microscope. If a tumor is found centrally and has invaded the streets of the air, this procedure, known as an examination of sputum cytology, may allow visualization of the tumor cells for diagnosis. This is the network diagnostic procedure of the least risky and expensive, but its value is limited because the tumor cells will not always be present in sputum, even if it was a tumor present. Also, the cells are not cancerous may occasionally run perubahn-change as a reaction to inflammation or injury that makes them look like cancer cells.

• bronchoscopy: Examination of the airway by bronchoscopy (visualization of the streets of air through a small tube inserted through the nose or mouth) may reveal areas of tumor that can be sampled for diagnostic pathology. A tumor in the central areas of the lung or arising from the streets of larger air can be accessed to retrieve samples using this technique. Bronchoscopy may be performed using a fiberoptic bronchoscope premises rigid or flexible and can be implemented in a room for outpatient bronchoscopy on the same day, an operating room, or a hospital room. The procedure can be uncomfortable and require sedation or anesthesia. Where this procedure is relatively safe, this procedure must be performed by a lung specialist (pulmonologist or surgeon) who are experienced in this procedure. If a tumor has been visualized and taken quite for example, an accurate diagnosis of cancer is usually possible. Some patients may cough up blood is dark brown to one to two days after this procedure. Complications are more serious and rarely include a greater amount of bleeding, decreased levels of oxygen in the blood, and cardiac arrhythmias as well as complications of tranquilizers and general anesthesia.

• Needle biopsy: Fine needle aspiration (FNA) through the skin, most commonly performed with radiological images for guidance, it may be worthwhile to get back to the cells for the diagnosis of tumor nodules in the lung. Needle biopsies are particularly valuable when lung tumors located around the lungs and can not be accessed to retrieve samples by bronchoscopy. A small amount of local anesthetic administered prior to entry of a thin needle through the chest wall into the area of ​​abnormal lung. Cells are sucked into the spray (syringe) and examined under a microscope for tumor cells. This procedure is generally accurate when tissue from the affected area in the sample (sampled) to taste, but in some cases, adjacent areas or who are not involved in the sample of the lung may be wrong. A small risk (3% -5%) of the leakage of air from the lungs (called a pneumothorax, which can be easily treated) accompany this procedure.

• Thoracentesis: Sometimes lung cancer involving the lining tissue of the lungs (pleura) and lead to an accumulation of fluid in the space between the lung and chest wall (called a pleural effusion). Aspiration of a sample of this fluid with a thin needle (Thoracentesis) may reveal cancerous cells and determine the diagnosis. Just like a needle biopsy, a small risk of a pneumothorax associated with this procedure.

• Main Operating Procedures: If none of the methods mentioned above yield a diagnosis, methods of operation must be done to obtain tumor tissue for diagnosis. These can include mediastinoscopy (examining the chest cavity between the lung through a surgically inserted examination with biopsy of the tumor masses or lymph nodes) or (surgically opening the chest wall with removal tumor as much as possible). Thoracotomy is rarely able to lift full of a lung cancer, and both mediastinoscopy and thoracotomy carry the risks of major surgical procedures (such as bleeding complications, and risks of anesthesia and drugs). This procedure is performed in an operating room, and the patient must stay in the hospital.

• Blood tests-ice: When routine blood tests alone can not diagnose lung cancer, they may reveal abnormalities-kelaianan biochemical or metabolic in the body that accompanies cancer. example, levels of calcium or alkaline phosphatase enzymes that increase may accompany a cancer that spreads to the bones. Likewise, the levels of certain enzymes that are normally present in liver cells is increased, including aspartate aminotransferase (AST or SGOT) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT or SGPT), indicating liver damage, possibly through the presence of tumor spread.


Increased Lung Cancer


Level of a tumor refers to the extent a cancer has spread in the body. The increase involves both the evaluation of the size of a tumor and also the presence or absence of spread areas in lymph nodes or other organs. The increase is important to determine how a particular tumor to be treated, because the therapies for lung cancer were matched with the level of tumor-specific level. Enhancement of a tumor also is critical in predicting the prognosis of a patient, the tumors higher levels generally have a worse prognosis than tumors of lower levels.
Doctors may use several tests to accurately load the level of a lung cancer, including laboratory tests (blood chemistry), x-rays, CT scans, bone scans, and MRI-scans.tes abnormal blood chemistry tests may indicates the presence of places spread of cancer in the bones or liver, and radiology procedures can document the size of a tumor and also the possible spread to other organs.

NSCLC is given a level from I to IV in order of severity:

• In stage I, cancer confined to the lung.
• At level II and III, the cancer is confined to the chest (with tumors larger and more invasive classified as level III).
• Stage IV cancer has spread away from the chest to other parts of the body.
SCLC improved using a system composed of two:
• the limited SCLC refers to cancer confined to the area of ​​origin within the chest.
• At the level of extensive SCLC, the cancer has spread beyond the breast to other parts of the body.

The signs cancer and symptoms cancer is cancer we must be cautious, and should be promptly diagnosed if you still love your lungs, and of course loving your life! (*)