What are the treatment methods for lung cancer?

  The latest statistics show that nearly 800,000 people die of lung cancer in China every year, ranking first in the incidence of tumors. Among them, non-small cell lung cancer patients account for about 80%. However, due to the rapid development process of lung cancer, complex etiology and many adulterating factors in treatment, it is necessary to clarify standardized and guiding treatment plan in order to reduce blind and inappropriate treatment, so that patients can achieve the most effective treatment effect with the most economical cost.     Firstly, the type of lung cancer should be determined. Lung cancer is divided into non-small cell carcinoma (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC) according to the pathology, which account for about 75% and 25% of the total lung cancer incidence, respectively. Among them, non-small cell lung cancer is further divided into squamous carcinoma, adenocarcinoma and large cell carcinoma. Small cell undifferentiated carcinoma is more sensitive to radiotherapy and chemotherapy, but is prone to recurrence. Overall speaking, lung cancer is best treated by surgery.  Secondly, it depends on the staging of lung cancer. Internationally, a unified standard is used to classify lung cancer into four stages: I, II, III and IV. Among them, stage I and II are characterized by smaller tumors, easier to be removed and no distant metastasis, which can be treated with surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, and finally have better healing effect. Stage III, on the other hand, is based on surgery combined with radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Stage IV lung cancer cannot be operated, and only radiotherapy and chemotherapy can be used.  Thirdly, we have to look at the patient’s physical condition mainly to check whether the patient’s vital organs, heart, liver, lung, kidney function, blood picture are normal and there are no important underlying diseases such as diabetes and myocardial infarction. The best treatment method can be found only when the above overall situation is integrated. Chemotherapy can be used for cases that are not suitable for surgery and radiotherapy, and for cases that have relapsed after surgery and radiotherapy or have had systemic metastases. In addition, chemotherapy can be used as an adjuvant treatment before surgery and as a means to consolidate the efficacy after surgery and radiotherapy.  Specific references are as follows: 1. Early or intermediate stage lung cancer (those without distant metastasis) is best treated mainly by surgery (about 20%), which has reliable and safe treatment effects and removes the cancer tumor once, which fundamentally solves the tumor problem and can significantly prolong the survival rate.  2.Small cell lung cancer is a more powerful type of lung cancer, with rapid disease development, short course and high mortality. Focal type can be removed surgically, and chemotherapy or radiotherapy can be added after surgery; extensive type can be treated with chemotherapy + radiotherapy + immunotherapy (or treated with Chinese medicine), which can prolong patients’ life and improve their quality of life.  3.Surgical treatment is preferred for non-small cell lung cancer (squamous, adenocarcinoma, squamous adenocarcinoma).  4.For all types of advanced lung cancer who have lost the chance of surgery, chemotherapy is the main treatment, together with traditional Chinese medicine and local radiotherapy.  5.For those who have local metastasis and have indications for surgery, chemotherapy is given before surgery, which can improve the surgical resection rate.  6.Other For those who are old, poor in health, unwilling to operate, afraid of radiotherapy and chemotherapy and have economic difficulties, Chinese medicine can be used. Regardless of the type of lung cancer, comprehensive treatment is preferable. The efficiency is 15%-55% higher than that of single treatment, which can greatly increase the five-year survival rate and improve the quality of life of patients.  7. Targeted drug therapy can be used for those whose body cannot tolerate or whose effect is not satisfactory.