Lung Cancer Remission - What Does It Mean?

When mentioning the word remission, many people tend to have a misconception to exactly what it means. It is usually used by doctors after a cancer patient has successfully carried out a course of treatment. Although, many people seem to think that once the word has been mentioned, the cancer patient is no longer at risk from a recurrence of the disease, due to having been considered completely cured.

However, this is a misinterpretation of the word and something that can easily cause future problems for a patient who thinks that he or she is no longer at risk from the disease. Cancer patients can quickly revert to the unhealthy life-style that may have existed before cancer was diagnosed, and easily forget about continuing to look after the body in the way that it should be looked after even though it is still vital to prevent a recurrence of the disease.

What remission actually means: is a period of time where cancer is either responding to treatment satisfactorily, or is being controlled by the treatment that is being administered to a patient. With a complete cancer remission, all signs and symptoms of the disease have usually disappeared, and it may be considered that after several years or so with no signs or symptoms recurring, the disease has finally been cured.

This would also be another misconception of what may still be going on within the body. Although there may be no signs or symptoms of cancer being present, it does not actually mean that the disease does not exist still, as cancer cells may continue to grow within the body for many years. This may be both during treatment or afterwards, and before any visible signs or symptoms of the cancer reappear.

The word remission does not get publicized much, as it is considered to be a delicate subject when talking about the prognosis (life expectancy) of a cancer patient, and more so when talking about lung cancer where around 50% of all patients diagnosed with the disease will die within the first five years after diagnosis. Depending of the type of cancer a patient is diagnosed with, will also greatly affect the patients cancer "remission period" after a successful course of treatment.

There are various modern-day treatments used to fight cancer, such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, stereotactic body radiosurgery, and surgery. But there are equally as many alternative medicines that can also be used to treat a variety of different types of cancers. Alternative medicines for the treatment of cancer are considered to be a good option by many sufferers, as they do not harm the body like many of the traditional treatments do, and can even be used after a successful course of treatment has finished to prevent a recurrence of the disease.

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What Is The Difference Between Lung Cancer and Lymphoma?

There are two different types of cancer that may affect the lungs:

1. Primary lung cancer is categorized as either small cell, or non-small cell, and usually begins in the lungs before it spreads to other parts of the body. Small cell is commonly associated with heavy smokers, where non-small cell may include other types of cancers such as squamous cell, large cell carcinoma, and adenocarcinoma.

Symptoms may include a persistent cough, coughing up small amounts of blood, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest pains, a dull aching pain in the shoulder that may move down the outside of the arm, a notable weight loss, and recurrent chest infections or pneumonia.

Diagnosis of lung cancer is not usually found until after a doctor has ordered a chest X-ray which is usually associated with another illness. If lung cancer is detected by the chest X-ray, a CT (computer assisted tomography) scan, or a MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan may also be ordered to further confirm both the diseases diagnosis and staging.

Staging includes a limited Stage, where only one lung is affected together with the surrounding tissues, and an extensive Stage, where the cancer has spread to either the chest tissues outside the lung of origin or to another part of the body. Staging begins with Stage 0, where cancer cells are found to be in the lining of the lung; Stage 1A, where the tumor growth is no more than 3mm across in diameter and continues through Stages 1B, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, until Stage 4 is reached. This is where the lungs or other parts of the body have multiple malignant growths.

2. Metastatic lung cancer, is categorized as either Hodgkin's or non-Hodgkin's, and begins in another part of the body before it spreads to the lungs. Metastatic lung cancer is a cancer of the lymphatic system.

Symptoms may include fever, fatigue, itching, swollen lymph nodes, and sweating during the night while sleeping. The lymph nodes can be found in clusters in the pelvis, neck, under the arms, and in the abdomen. When non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is present, it is common for its reason to be unknown.

Diagnosis includes blood tests, and a biopsy of the lymph node tissue for examination under the microscope.

Staging is based on the extent the tumor has spread.

Stage 1. Where only one lymph node or area is affected.

Stage 2. Where two or more lymph nodes are affected on one side of the diaphragm, or a single lymph node where the tumor has affected a nearby organ.

Stage 3. Where lymphoma is found in the areas above and below the diaphragm, and is considered to be advanced.

Stage 4. Where the lymphoma has metastasized to other parts of the body such as the liver, brain, or bone marrow. At this stage the disease is considered widespread.

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How To Prevent Lung Cancer Recurrence

Researchers are studying effective ways to prevent the recurrence of lung cancer in patients. After a patient has been successfully treated, there are numerous ways to help lower the risks.

1. It is recommended by doctors that patients have a full physical examination every three months for the first two years, followed by a six monthly examination thereafter. Examinations may include: chest X-rays, CT (computer assisted tomography) scans, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans, or blood tests. Depending on the type of lung cancer that a patient was diagnosed with.

2. When a patient has successfully finished a course of treatment, it is encouraged by most doctors that a 30 minute exercise regime be carried out by the cancer patient at least five times a week. These exercises should include general fitness exercises such as walking, cycling, swimming, and jogging (depending on the age and condition of the patient in question). Not only does exercising make someone feel stronger, but it also helps the patient build up a stronger immune system.

3. Eating a healthy diet also helps reduce the risks. Studies show that by eating a large variety of fruits and vegetables (variety is more important than quantity) may also contribute to reducing both the risks of developing lung cancer, and its recurrence. By eating a low-fat, high whole grain diet will help keep a sufficient amount of nutrients within the body. These nutrients help to keep the body strong. They also have a great amount of anti-recurrence benefits.

4. Smoking which is one of the main causes of lung cancer, should be given a complete miss after treatment has finished, together with most alcoholic beverages. Both contain a number of carcinogens that not only raise the chances of being diagnosed with the disease, but also significantly raise the risks of the disease returning. Apart from the lungs that are at risk from tobacco and alcohol, other organs such as the esophagus, liver, and stomach, are also at risk.

5. Depending on the type of lung cancer a patient was diagnosed with, may also depend on the after treatment options that are available. These options may include traditional medicines that reduce the risks of a recurrence, or alternative medicines that have also shown a great deal of success. Alternative medicines are also considered as a good after treatment option, due to them being less harmful to the body's organs than traditional anti-recurrence drugs.

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Signs That Lung Cancer May Be Returning

Over 200,000 thousand Americans (men and women) get diagnosed with lung cancer in the USA every year (70% are elderly). Although most patients receive some kind of treatment before going into remission (a period of time when the cancer is either responding to treatment satisfactorily, or is being controlled), lung cancer is one of the most recurrent forms of cancer that is diagnosed. Many sufferers of lung cancer get cured and go on to live more years, but an increasing number of sufferers become prone to falling into a state of relapse (where the disease returns).

When doctors refer to a five-year or ten-year cure period, what they are actually referring to is the remission period of a patient. During remission the disease may return at any time, although the percentage rate gradually begins to decrease the longer the remission period. If during the first five-years of treatment the disease does not return, then there is a strong possibility that the patient will go on to live at least another five years or more. The problem is that when lung cancer is diagnosed, it is usually in its later stage, and more difficult to treat.

Patients under remission should continually watch for signs that may indicate the cancer is recurring, or has actually returned. There are three main signs a sufferer should watch out for:

1. Changes in breathing patterns, which could include either a shortness of breath, or wheezing when there are no underlying medical reasons why either should exist. They may even occur when a patient is resting. Usually when the cancer has returned, the tumor presses either directly on the lung, or on the surrounding tissues of the lung. A chest X-ray, a CT (computer assisted tomography) scan, or a MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan may be ordered again by the doctor to re-confirm this.

2. Lumps that can appear anywhere on the body (especially in the chest or upper area of the body) may signify a recurrence of the disease. Lumps may indicate that a new tumor is beginning to grow, or an existing one is either growing again, or beginning to spread. When lumps occur in the area of the neck, armpits, or groin, this usually indicates that the cancer has spread to the lymphatic system. The cancer has metastasized when it has affected distant organs outside the original tumor area, usually having spread into the bloodstream to create new tumors or new clusters of cancerous cells.

3. Unexplained and sudden weight loss when there is no reason for it usually indicates that the cancer has invaded other parts of the body. The cancer can attack vital organs affecting their ability to function correctly, causing weight to disappear notably during a short period of time. When this happens, it is advisable to seek the help of a doctor again to check that a recurrence of the disease has not taken place. Usually a test of the phlegm cells under a microscope will detect a recurrence before a tumor becomes visible.

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