Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer: Managing Side Effects
Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer: Managing Side Effects
As you get ready to start treatment, it’s normal to feel nervous about side effects you might face. To help you prepare, here’s a treatment-by-treatment guide to the most common ones.
Keep in mind that side effects vary even between two people on the same treatment. That's because every person -- and every cancer case -- is unique. The good news is most side effects are temporary and there are ways you can manage them.
Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer
Most people who have lung cancer have NSCLC. Although it's serious, treatment can sometimes cure it or stop it from getting worse. And there are things you can do to help you feel better, too.People who smoke or who breathe in a lot of smoke are most likely to get NSCLC. Many of them are over 65.NSCLC has three kinds of tumors: Adenocarcinoma starts in cells in your air sacs that make mucus and other substances, often in the outer parts of your lungs. It's the most common kind of lung cancer...
Read the Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer article > >
Most lung cancer surgeries are a procedure called a thoracotomy. The doctor cuts into your chest and spreads your rib cage open to get to the tumor. This is a major operation, and it takes weeks or months to recover.
Based on the size and location of your tumor, the surgeon may be able to do something called minimally invasive video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). If this works for you, you’ll have less pain and you’ll get better faster.
The side effects will vary based on how much of your lung was removed and which type of procedure you had, but here’s an idea of what to expect and how to deal with it.
Pain and weakness. Your doctor will prescribe medication to relieve your pain, but you’ll need to allow time to rest and heal. It’s a good idea to keep a journal so you can track and describe your symptoms. If it gets worse, work with your doctor to adjust medications and fine-tune the dosage.
Shortness of breath. You may feel this even though you’re getting enough oxygen and you can breathe normally. It’s how your brain processes chest pain. It should get better overthe next few weeks as you heal. If your lungs are in good shape (other than the cancer) you can usually return to normal life after a while -- even if an entire lung was removed. If you also have a non-cancerous lung disease like emphysema or chronic bronchitis, you may always feel short of breath with some types of activity.
These drugs attack cells that divide quickly, which is why they work against cancer cells. But some healthy cells also do this, like those in your hair follicles, bone marrow, and the lining of your mouth and intestines. Chemo attacks them, too, and that leads to certain side effects. They depend on the type and dose of drugs you get and the length of time you take them.
Keep in mind that side effects vary even between two people on the same treatment. That's because every person -- and every cancer case -- is unique. The good news is most side effects are temporary and there are ways you can manage them.
Recommended Related to Lung Cancer
Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer
Most people who have lung cancer have NSCLC. Although it's serious, treatment can sometimes cure it or stop it from getting worse. And there are things you can do to help you feel better, too.People who smoke or who breathe in a lot of smoke are most likely to get NSCLC. Many of them are over 65.NSCLC has three kinds of tumors: Adenocarcinoma starts in cells in your air sacs that make mucus and other substances, often in the outer parts of your lungs. It's the most common kind of lung cancer...
Read the Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer article > >
Surgery
Most lung cancer surgeries are a procedure called a thoracotomy. The doctor cuts into your chest and spreads your rib cage open to get to the tumor. This is a major operation, and it takes weeks or months to recover.
Based on the size and location of your tumor, the surgeon may be able to do something called minimally invasive video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). If this works for you, you’ll have less pain and you’ll get better faster.
The side effects will vary based on how much of your lung was removed and which type of procedure you had, but here’s an idea of what to expect and how to deal with it.
Pain and weakness. Your doctor will prescribe medication to relieve your pain, but you’ll need to allow time to rest and heal. It’s a good idea to keep a journal so you can track and describe your symptoms. If it gets worse, work with your doctor to adjust medications and fine-tune the dosage.
Shortness of breath. You may feel this even though you’re getting enough oxygen and you can breathe normally. It’s how your brain processes chest pain. It should get better overthe next few weeks as you heal. If your lungs are in good shape (other than the cancer) you can usually return to normal life after a while -- even if an entire lung was removed. If you also have a non-cancerous lung disease like emphysema or chronic bronchitis, you may always feel short of breath with some types of activity.
Chemotherapy
These drugs attack cells that divide quickly, which is why they work against cancer cells. But some healthy cells also do this, like those in your hair follicles, bone marrow, and the lining of your mouth and intestines. Chemo attacks them, too, and that leads to certain side effects. They depend on the type and dose of drugs you get and the length of time you take them.