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Lung Cancer

It is estimated that there will be 226,160 new cases and 160,340 deaths from lung cancer this year (2012) in the United States. Lung cancer is the second most common cancer and the leading cause of cancer death in both men and women in this country.

Unfortunately, lung cancer often does not cause symptoms in the early stages. However, as the cancer cells grow, there are some common symptoms that might occur, and these can include:

weight loss without a known cause
coughing up of blood
cough that gets worse or does not go away
a hoarse voice
constant chest pain
difficulty breathing, such as shortness of breath
frequent lung infections
frequent fatigue

Of course, these symptoms can be related to other conditions and may not be related to cancer, but anyone with symptoms should see a doctor to rule out cancer as soon as possible. A doctor may check for cancer by performing a physical exam to listen to breathing and feel for swollen lymph nodes, or order a chest x-ray or CT scan.

The only way to be sure if lung cancer is present is to collect samples of lung cells. This can be done by a taking a sample of fluid coughed up from the lungs (sputum sample), removal of fluid from the chest (thoracentesis), passing a lighted tube into the lungs and taking a sample of tissue (bronchoscopy).

The Treatment
After your doctor makes a diagnosis and determines the stage (extent) of the cancer, he/she will suggest appropriate treatment options. The goal of treatment is to eliminate the cancer and prevent it from spreading.

Different types of treatment are available to patients with non-small cell lung cancer. Patients may have surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy or a combination of treatments. Fortunately, patients in the Panama City area have access to many state-of-the-art treatments that other similar sized communities might have to travel a great distance to find.

Radiation therapy uses high-energy X-rays to kill cancer cells. External radiation is the most common type of radiation for lung cancer. Treatments are usually 5 days a week for several weeks. Side effects mainly depend on the type of radiation and dose. While it is non-invasive, this treatment may harm the esophagus and cause problems with swallowing.

Chemotherapy uses anti-cancer drugs to kill cancer cells. These drugs can be given through a vein or taken by mouth. Chemotherapy is given in cycles with a rest period after each treatment cycle. Side effects — which range from fatigue, hair loss, and diarrhea to infection, nausea and vomiting — depend mainly on which drugs are given and how much. Additionally, Bay Medical-Sacred Heart does provide in-patient medical oncology care if hospitalization is required.

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During lung cancer surgery, your physician will remove either a piece of the lung containing the tumor and some healthy tissue around it; a section of the lung containing the tumor (lobectomy); part of the airway leading to the lung; or, the entire lung, if the cancer has spread.

This procedure is traditionally performed through a long incision called a thoracotomy. Your surgeon may also spread the ribs to access the lung.
Following these procedures, your remaining lung tissue will still be functional. However, you will have less lung capacity overall.

daVinci Surgery for Lung Cancer: A Less Invasive Surgical Procedure
If your doctor recommends surgery to treat lung cancer, you may be a candidate for a safe, effective and minimally invasive procedure available at Bay Medical-Sacred Heart – da Vinci Surgery. Using the most advanced technology available, da Vinci provides your surgeon with superior vision, precision and control, allowing for improved access inside the chest cavity.

Because da Vinci Surgery is performed through tiny incisions, spreading your ribs to access the lung is avoided. da Vinci is minimally invasive, unlike thoracotomy - traditional lung surgery - which requires a long incision, and often a long recovery.

Potential benefits of a da Vinci Lobectomy include:

Low cancer recurrence in advanced disease
Minimal pain
Low blood loss
Few complications
Fast return of pulmonary function
Short hospital stay and fast recovery

As with any surgery, these benefits cannot be guaranteed, as surgery is patient-and procedure-specific.

Our multidisciplinary team provides physical and psychological care and support for patients and their families.

For more information on daVinci robotic surgery click here. For a list of our CV surgeons click here.

Dr. Greg England discusses minimally invasive lung surgery (lobectomy).