Definition
Statistics show that 20% of lung cancers are microcytomas (small cell tumors), and the remaining 80% tripartize into large cell carcinoma, epidermoid carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. Lung cancer originates in the cells that line the bronchi and, damaging a vital organ, becomes a potentially deadly disease; so much so that it is the main cause of death from cancer in industrialized countries.
Causes
Lung cancer is closely associated with smoking, both active and passive: according to this, it is understandable that the abolition of smoking is a very important rule to prevent lung cancer. This neoplastic form is also heavily influenced by frequent exposure to heavy metals, asbestos and pollution.
- Risk factors: advanced age, genetic predisposition, unbalanced diet, COPD, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, male sex.
Symptoms
Lung cancer - unlike that of the pancreas and kidney which does not begin with any obvious symptoms - gives some warnings: constant pain in the chest, emission of blood during cough (blood in the sputum) and chronic cough. Other less pronounced symptoms include: asthenia, weight loss, shoulder pain, pain during swallowing, fever, loss of appetite, recurrent pneumonia.
In 6% of cases, lung cancer is asymptomatic.
Information on Lung Cancer - Drugs for the Treatment of Lung Cancer is not intended to replace the direct relationship between health professional and patient. Always consult your doctor and / or specialist before taking Lung Cancer - Lung Cancer Treatment Drugs.
drugs
The treatment of lung cancer, as is the case for most cancers, is strongly influenced by the extent of the disease (proliferation of diseased cells), the type of cells affected and the patient's health conditions.
For the treatment of small cell lung cancers (microcitomes) 4-6 cycles of chemotherapy (for the widespread form of cancer) or the combination of chemotherapy (6 cycles) + radiotherapy are recommended, useful when the tumor is limited to only one lung and is associated with localized lymphadenopathy. Rarely, surgery is required for small cell tumors.
Platinum derivatives (Cisplatin or carboplatin) are the drugs of choice for treating small cell lung cancer. They are often associated with other drugs, such as etoposide.
- Cisplatin (eg Cisplatin ACC, Platamine, Pronto Platamine): for the treatment of lung cancer take a dose of drug varying from 60 to 100 mg per square meter of body surface on the first day; repeat the administration of the drug every 21 days, in combination with other anticancer drugs.
- Carboplatin (eg. Paraplatin, Carboplatin PFZ, Carboplatin TEVA): in general, the recommended dose varies from 300 to 600 mg per square meter of body extension, to be taken once a day for 4 weeks. Consult your doctor.
- Etoposide (eg Etoposide Teva, Vepesid): the drug is taken at an initial dose of 35-50 mg per m2, intravenously, to be taken once a day for 4-5 days; alternatively, take 70-100 mg / m2 of drug per os, once a day for 4-5 days. For the treatment of lung cancer, always take this drug with other chemotherapy drugs (platinum derivatives).
For so-called "non-small cell" lung tumors, surgery is certainly the main surgical option for operable tumors; subsequently, adjuvant chemotherapy is important to give the patient greater assurance that he has eradicated all the diseased cells. If lung cancer cannot be operated surgically, chemotherapy associated with chest radiotherapy is the most appropriate therapeutic combination. Also in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer, platinum derivatives are the most indicated drugs; these can be associated with Docetaxel, gemcitabine, topoisomerase inhibitors, paclitaxel and vinorelbine.
- Docetaxel (eg Docetaxel Teva Pharma, Docetaxel Teva, Docetaxel Winthrop, Taxotere): the drug, belonging to the taxane class, is indicated for the treatment of lung cancer at a dose of 75 mg / m2 intravenously (infusion of a Now); repeat the administration at three-week intervals. Take in combination with platinum derivatives.
- Gemcitabine (eg Gembin, tabin, gemzar): indicated in combination with cisplatin in the first treatment of patients with inoperable lung cancer, in the advanced or metastatic stage. The drug can be administered at a dose of 1 gram per square meter (in 30 minutes), on days 1-8-15 of each cycle lasting 4 weeks (28 days). Alternatively, take 1250 mg / m2 intravenously in 30 minutes on days 1-8 of each 21-day cycle.
- Irinotecan (eg Irinotecan ACC, Campto): the drug is an inhibitor of topoisomerase, and is sometimes used in therapy against lung cancer, although it is not the active ingredient of first choice. In fact, it is often used for the treatment of colorectal cancer. Consult your doctor.
- Topotecan (Topotecan Teva, Topotecan actavis, Potactasol, Hycamtin, Topotecan hospira): the active substance is another topoisomerase inhibitor and is taken at a dose of 1.5 mg / m2 for 30 minutes intravenous infusion, for 5 consecutive days (repeat the cycle every 21 days, starting to count from the first administration). Generally, 4 cycles are needed for cancer treatment. The drug is also available as tablets (2.3 mg / m2 per day, for 5 consecutive days; repeat after 21 days).
- Vinorelbine (eg Vinorelbine HSP, Navelbine): take 30 mg / m2 per week (injections lasting 6-10 minutes). It can also be used in monotherapy. Alternatively, take 25-30 mg / m2 of Vinorelbine per week associated with cisplatin.
- Paclitaxel (eg Abraxane, Paxene). Belonging to the class of taxanes, the drug - in addition to being widely used in therapy for the treatment of breast and ovarian cancer - should be taken in case of lung cancer at a dose of 135 mg per square meter of body surface (in 24 hours ), followed by the administration of cisplatin, every 3 weeks.
