About the Department
If there is an exponential growth of abnormal cells in one or both the lungs, it may be referred to as lung cancer. These cancerous cells are not able to execute the day to day functions of a normal lung cell. They are also unable to grow into healthy lung tissue. In due course of time, these abnormal cells can lead to the formation of tumours that eventually obstructs the performance of the lung, which is to provide oxygen to the human body via the blood stream.
The start of the lung cancer in the body may be caused by a mutation in the DNA of a cell. The reasons for the mutation may be due to the normal process of ageing of the human body or through environmental factors surrounding him, for example, cigarette smoke or being exposed to random gases.
A single DNA mutation in the cell cannot result in lung cancer. Scientists have discovered that only a series of genetic mutations can cause lung cancer. However, in the beginning, even with a single mutation, the cells are in the precancerous stage and are able to carry out normal lung functions. However, when the mutated cells start multiplying and regenerating, forming more cells with genetic mutations, the abnormalities are now transferred to the newly formed cells. This will ultimately lead to the mutation of the lung tissue and eventually the cells in the lung will not be able to carry out their normal functionalities.
In due course of time, the cancerous cells may penetrate from the original tumour to other organs in the body and start growing there too.
You may be absolutely devastated when you are diagnosed with lung cancer. Being fearful is a normal reaction. At Fortis Bannerghatta, we have a specialist lung cancer team to take care of your treatment requirements. In consultation with experts in the field of radiology, oncology, pulmonology and surgery, we aim to bring to you the most effective treatment plan that will suit your present health condition.
At Fortis, we have the most advanced medical technologies at our disposal. Along with that comes years of experience in battling lung cancer. We realise that you will go through anxiety and pain. We will strive towards reducing your anxiety and pain so that you can just concentrate on getting well soon.
When you are diagnosed with cancer, your family is equally affected by this news. During this difficult time, both you and your family will need support and counselling. Our excellent counsellors at Fortis Bannerghatta, will guide and emotionally support you through this phase of treatment and also help you take control of your lifestyle once you go home.
Areas of Care
Small cell lung cancers or SCLC and non-small cell lung cancers or NSCLC are two major categories of lung cancer. The difference between the two types depends on where the cancerous cells first appear. The treatment for these two types of lung cancers are absolutely distinct.
- Small cell lung cancer or SCLC
- Non-small cell lung cancer or NSCLC – There are three sub-types:
- Adenocarcinomas
- Squamous cell carcinomas
- Large cell carcinomas
There are some rare forms of lung cancers including:
- Bronchial carcinoids
- Cancers of supporting lung tissue
With extensive co-ordination and collaboration from our diagnostic teams, your specialist will approach your diagnosis post conducting a thorough review of your case history. The objective at Fortis is to ensure that you are cared for, at every step of the way through the treatment and healing process.
Symptoms & Diagnosis
Signs and symptoms of lung cancer
Early stage detection of lung cancer in most cases is difficult as the signs and symptoms are similar to that of bronchitis. However, if you feel that there is something unusual and the symptoms are persisting over a significant period of time, then it is best to consult a specialist.
The common symptoms for lung cancer developing in the chest are:
- If your coughing is intense and persisting over a long period of time
- If you experience chest, shoulder and back pains, completely unrelated to your coughing
- If you observe there is some change in the colour or volume of sputum
- If you feel a shortness of breath very frequently
- If you notice a hoarseness in your voice
- If you observe output of harsh sounds while breathing
- If you notice tinges of blood when you cough up phlegm or mucus
- If you observe blood in your cough
If the lung cancer has progressed considerably and has infiltrated other organs in your body, then you may experience the following symptoms:
- If you have no desire to eat
- If you have recently undergone severe loss in weight
- If you observe cachexia or wasting of the muscles
- If you experience extreme tiredness
- If you are constantly experiencing headaches or pain in the bone or joints
- If you just had a bone fracture without any accidental injury
- If you experience memory loss
- If you observe other neurological signs like unsteady gait
- If you see that your neck or face is swelling
- If you observe a general weakness in your body
- If you observe bleeding and blood clots
Having these symptoms in no way suggests lung cancer by any means. To get confirmation of your condition, it is prudent to consult your specialist at Fortis who may recommend additional diagnostic screenings in order to arrive at a conclusive diagnosis.
Our Diagnostic Services
If you have been experiencing symptoms related to lung cancer and your specialist feels there is a need for further verification to come to a diagnosis, he may recommend the following screenings and tests.
Imaging Tests:
If there is an abnormal mass or nodule in your lungs, then an x-ray will be able to reveal that.
If there are any small lesions in your lungs, then a CT Scan will be able to detect the same.
If you are producing sputum in your cough, then analysing the sputum under microscopic conditions will detect if cancer cells are present in the lungs.
A sample of the lung tissue will be removed and checked for the presence of any abnormal cells. There are multiple ways to perform a biopsy including:
- Bronchoscopy
- Mediastinoscopy
- Needle Biopsy
If the doctor suspects that the cancer may have spread to the lymph nodes or the liver, then a tissue sample may be collected from those organs as well.
These diagnostic screenings will help to determine if you have lung cancer and its type. Another round of diagnostic tests will then be prescribed in order to find out the stage of your lung cancer. These tests may include:
Imaging Tests:
- CT Scan
- MRI Scan
- PET Scan
- Bone Scans
At Fortis Bannerghatta, we have world class diagnostic facilities where your screenings will be take place. With a multidisciplinary approach to patients with lung cancer, we are committed towards 100% patient care in a state-of-the art environment. The Department of Lung Cancer at Fortis, is focussed towards organising its services and resources depending on the needs of each individual patient, by putting together the most competent and skilled team of experts to manage consultation, treatment and follow-up visits post therapy.
Treatment Options
Your specialist will collaborate with experts in disciplines such as oncology, pathology, pulmonology, radiology, thoracic surgery to make an accurate diagnosis and subsequently make recommendations for a treatment route. Other factors that will also be taken into consideration is your overall health, the type of cancer and keeping a note of your preferences too. While it may be difficult decision to make, the final say is yours.
Your treatment plan may be a combination of the following:
If are undergoing surgery, then your lymph node samples from the chest may also be collected to check if the cancer has spread to those regions in the body.
At Fortis, we deliver and integrated therapeutic approach to lung cancer that is inclusive of managing complex cases of both non-small and small lung cancer. Lung cancer patients today are not without any hope of recovery. Combining the best of the brains in the industry, along with several years of expertise, skills, top of the line equipment and medical facilities, Fortis Bannerghatta will present the best possible treatment route that will give you positive results.
Our Team that cares
With cutting-edge research in the field of lung cancer, Fortis Bannerghatta offers its patients the benefit of the latest medicinal technologies along with a multidisciplinary team of specialists who are some of the best in their area of expertise. By putting together a comprehensive treatment plan for you, we will personalise it to suit your current health conditions and involve you and your family in the post treatment care plan.
- Surgical Therapy that will help remove the lung cancer and also a portion of the healthy tissue. There are a number of surgical methods that may be used:
- Wedge Resection
- Segmental Resection
- Lobectomy
If are undergoing surgery, then your lymph node samples from the chest may also be collected to check if the cancer has spread to those regions in the body.
- Radiation Therapy includes using energy beam of high power either via an X-ray or protons to destroy the cancerous cells. Radiation therapy may also be used to provide relief to pain if the lung cancer is at an advanced stage.
- Chemotherapy kills the cancerous cells by using drugs. It can also shrink the cancer cells prior to the patient undergoing surgery. Chemotherapy can be done in combination with radiation therapy.
- Radiosurgery is a process where high powered beams are targeted towards the cancer cells from multiple angles. This is also an alternative for those lung cancer patients who are unable to take the surgical therapy route.
- Targeted Drug Therapy concentrates on particular abnormalities that are prevalent in the cells.
- Immunotherapy fights the cancerous cells by using the body’s immune system. This methodology is usually used on those patients where the lung cancer has reached an advanced stage.
At Fortis, we deliver and integrated therapeutic approach to lung cancer that is inclusive of managing complex cases of both non-small and small lung cancer. Lung cancer patients today are not without any hope of recovery. Combining the best of the brains in the industry, along with several years of expertise, skills, top of the line equipment and medical facilities, Fortis Bannerghatta will present the best possible treatment route that will give you positive results.
Our Team that cares
With cutting-edge research in the field of lung cancer, Fortis Bannerghatta offers its patients the benefit of the latest medicinal technologies along with a multidisciplinary team of specialists who are some of the best in their area of expertise. By putting together a comprehensive treatment plan for you, we will personalise it to suit your current health conditions and involve you and your family in the post treatment care plan.
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