Target Therapy–A new horizon in lung cancer treatment

In our busy and stressful life we tend to chase behind name, fame, money but endanger our health. Mr. Shivraj Reddy, an established corporate honcho has been living in Hyderabad for the past four decades.  Being a hard core professional, he never missed his priorities but ignored his relentless cough.  Until, he complained about an acute chest pain and blood was found in his cough while travelling back from office. He was admitted to the nearest hospital for a firsthand treatment. Where, he was diagnosed with lung cancer after proper medical tests.  The otherwise energetic and ever enthusiastic man in his mid forty never failed to meet the company targets but could not realize the early symptoms to his deteriorating health.

Lung cancer is the most common type of diagnosed cancer contributing to maximum deaths, globally. Dr. Muddu Vamshi Krishna, Medical Oncologist –Apollo Hospital, Hyderabad has emphasized on increasing public awareness on lung cancer. An early diagnosis coupled with a novel treatment –Targeted Therapy with personalized medicine can facilitate in successful treatment and cure.

Statistics shows, about 70% of lung cancer cases in Hyderabad are diagnosed only in advanced stages. Smoking Tobacco is a leading cause of cancer in Hyderabad. In the past few years, Dr. Muddu Vamshi Krishna has observed an increase in the number of lung cancer cases, wherein there has been a 7-8% increase in Males and 3-4% increase in Females. As of 2012, 1.8 million new lung cancer cases were diagnosed, with 58% occurring in less developed regions. In developing countries, lung cancer is most common amongst men, and third most common amongst women.

Lung cancer can be conceptualized as, an uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells that start off in one or both lungs. The abnormal cells do not develop into healthy lung tissue; they divide rapidly forming one of the three types of tumors - Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC), Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) and Lung Carcinoid tumor.

Causes for Lung Cancer in Hyderabad by Dr. Muddu Vamshi Krishna :

Tobacco consumption is very common in India and is a major risk factor/cause for lung cancer.

Smoking tobacco and exposure to cancer causing agents such as asbestos, radon, air pollution and diesel exhaust also play an instrumental role in causing Lung Cancer.

Lung Cancer can be controlled by preventing exposure to these carcinogens.

Signs / Symptoms :

A cough that does not go away or gets worse.

Coughing up blood or rust- colored sputum.

Chest pain that is often worse with deep breathing or coughing.

Hoarseness.

Loss of appetite and weight.

Wheezing and Shortness of breath.

Fatigue, weakness.

Recurrent bronchitis and pneumonia.

Most of the people like Mr. Shivraj Reddy ignore the early signs of lung cancer. In the words of Dr. Muddu Vamshi Krishna, “Lung Cancer has become one of the hardest diseases to effectively treat as most patients are diagnosed only in advanced stages. In Hyderabad, 6 out of 10 cases are diagnosed in an advanced stage. At this advanced stage, treatment can only prolong the patient’s survival but it is not possible to cure the disease”.

Recommended diagnostic tests for lung cancer :

CT scan

Tissue biopsy and Sputum cytology. If any of these tests show any signs and symptoms of lung cancer, it is advisable to visit an oncologist at the earliest.”

Recent Developments and Progress in Lung Cancer :

In the opinion of leading Oncologist Dr. Muddu Vamshi Krishna, the treatment of cancer has improved a lot, though there is no complete cure for any form of cancer.

Recent advancements in oncology research have led to the development of treatment modalities called Targeted Therapy that are more individualised.

Contrary to the standard chemotherapy, targeted therapy does not affect all body cells. It only interferes with the development of cancer at a molecular level to block the growth and spread of cancer.

Targeted therapy has been successful in improving both the survival and cure rate in cancer patients.

Targeted Therapy is definitely the treatment of choice in the future as it only kills the cancer cells and minimizes the side effects such as hair loss and skin damage.

For a patient suffering from lung cancer in its initial stage, Targeted therapy can augment a new standard of care in the treatment of lung cancer.