LUNG CANCER ONCOLOGY AND HEMATOLOGY IN ANCHORAGE, AK

WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT OUR LUNG CANCER TREATMENTS

At Alaska Oncology and Hematology, LLC in Anchorage, AK, we are here to provide more information about lung cancer.

The unchecked proliferation of aberrant cells in one or both lungs is the hallmark of lung cancer. The bronchial tubes that carry air into and out of the lungs are where most lung malignancies start. Lung cancers are categorized based on microscopic appearance. Although there are over a dozen distinct forms of lung cancer, non-small cell and small cell lung tumors account for approximately 90% of all cases of lung cancer. About 75% of lung cancer cases are classified as non-small cell lung cancer, which includes large cell, adenocarcinoma, and squamous cell varieties. Known by the moniker "oat," small cell lung cancer accounts for 20–25% of all lung cancer cases.

WHAT TO DO AFTER A LUNG CANCER DIAGNOSIS

To establish the appropriate course of therapy after a lung cancer diagnosis, the physician must ascertain the kind of lung cancer (small cell or non-small cell), as well as the amount of the cancer's metastasis or stage. Localized growth of lung cancer is possible, as is distant metastasis to other parts of the body, such as lymph nodes, bones, and the brain. The study of lung tissues is necessary to determine the type and existence of lung cancer. A biopsy can be obtained by one or more of the following methods and involves removing a small piece of tissue for examination under a microscope.

  •  Bronchoscopy
  • Aspiration for Fine Needles
  • Thoracentesis
  • Thoracotomy
  • Cytology of Sputum

Following confirmation of lung cancer, more testing on the specimen could be carried out to further categorize the cancer and establish the best course of action for treatment. Lung cancer treatment is tailored according to the cancer's stage and the findings of these tests.


Staging

To comprehend therapy alternatives or evaluate published cancer treatment information, one must ascertain the stage or amount of the cancer's dissemination. Numerous tests may be necessary to determine the stage of lung cancer.


Mediastinoscopy

A mediastinoscopy is a diagnostic procedure used to determine whether cancer has progressed to the thoracic lymph nodes. A mediastinoscope, or lighted tube, is inserted by a surgeon during a mediastinoscopy while the patient is under general anesthetic through a tiny neck incision. Using this mediastinoscope, the surgeon can take a tissue sample and inspect the mediastinum, or middle of the chest, as well as any surrounding lymph nodes.


Computed Topography, Also Known as a CT Scan

This is a method of examining bodily tissues and organs in which X-ray emissions are processed by a computer to create detailed images. During a CT scan, a sizable device that is external to the body rotates to take precise pictures of the internal organs and tissues. When compared to a chest x-ray, this approach is more accurate and sensitive.


Magnetic Resonance Imagery, or MRI

An MRI uses a strong magnet and a computer to create precise images of internal body parts.


Positron emission tomography (PET)

By using PET scanning, cancer in lymph nodes can be detected more accurately. The metabolism of sugar is one feature of living tissue. A type of sugar coupled to a radioactive isotope—a molecule that releases radiation spontaneously—is injected into the patient's vein prior to a PET scan. The sugar and linked isotope are "taken up" by the cancer cells, releasing positrons—low-energy radiation that is positively charged. Gamma rays are produced when positrons interact with the electrons in cancer cells. After that, the PET machine detects the gamma rays and turns the data into an image. It is doubtful that the mass in issue includes live cancer cells if no gamma rays are found in the examined region.


Bone Scan

To find out if cancer has spread to the bones, a bone scan is performed. An insignificant quantity of radioactive material is injected into a vein by a surgeon prior to a bone scan. This material enters the bloodstream and accumulates in regions where bone formation is not typical. The radiation levels in these regions are measured by a device known as a scanner, which captures the results on x-ray film.


Examining the Tumor for Particular Traits

The creation of targeted therapies, or medications that specifically target biological pathways involved in the genesis or spread of cancer, has been a significant breakthrough in the treatment of a number of cancer forms. It is possible to test the cancer before to therapy for some of these medicines in order to assess the likelihood that the cancer will respond to the treatment. For instance, alterations in certain genes may be examined in non-small cell lung cancer.


EGFR Gene

Variations in the EGFR gene may impact the way non-small cell lung cancer reacts to specific medications. Numerous cancer forms are accelerated by EGFR, and the progression of cancer can be slowed by medications that inhibit EGFR's activity. Tarceva® (erlotinib) is an EGFR-targeting medication that has been demonstrated to help some patients with non-small cell lung cancer. Tarceva is presently authorized for use as a first-line treatment in individuals with advanced non-small cell lung cancer who have an EGFR mutation. Research conducted on recently diagnosed patients indicates that some EGFR gene mutations (namely, those in exons 19 and 21) enhance the cancer's susceptibility to Tarceva. Results from the European Randomized Trial of Tarceva vs Chemotherapy (EURTAC) multicenter trial showed that in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer that had an EGFR mutation, Tarceva doubled the progression-free survival rate when compared to chemotherapy.


ALK Gene

An aberrant variant of the ALK gene has been found in up to 7% of non-small cell lung cancers, which aids in the proliferation and development of cancer cells. An oral drug called XalkoriTM (crizotinib) inhibits the production of this aberrant gene's protein as well as other proteins. Xalkori has demonstrated extremely encouraging response rates for advanced non-small cell lung tumors that test positive for the ALK gene mutation.

Depending on the patient's stage of the disease and whether they have small cell or non-small cell lung cancer, all new therapy information is grouped accordingly. Choose between small cell and non-small cell lung cancer to find out more about the standard of care for this type of cancer as well as the outcomes of recent advances in treatment.

Share by: