While success has been proven in the control and cure of lung cancers through methods of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, it is important for specialists to constantly seek out new methods that may improve each patient's options in management of their own cancer case. Each of the above methods has proven to some extent in certain lung cancer cases, but not in all of them.
Some of the more evolutionary studies that are ongoing are those which have attempted to integrate multiple treatment methods in one. For instance, intercavitary heated chemotherapy is a rising treatment in cases where surgery is possible. During the resection of the cancer cells, heated Cisplatin agent has been applied to the area in higher concentrated dosage than would normally be possible through other modes of ingestion or injection. The ability of the specialist to apply the chemotherapy agent directly to the tumor region is something that was not previously possible. This treatment has the ability to increase the targeted effectiveness of the agent, while still lessening the side effects that are related with ingestion or injection of the drug.
A rising science in lung cancer treatment is the use of computer topography (CT) scans in developing more targeted areas for radiation to be administered. Concentrated dosages of radiation can then be delivered to a specific region. This technology is able to draw a three-dimensional schematic of the tumor mass and where it's located, which can be used to develop a radiation plan that attacks the entire tumor from a number of angles. Only a few cancer centers and teaching hospitals feature the technology at the moment but results have thus far been encouraging enough that these cancer centers and hospitals have seen an influx of patients traveling for the specific treatment that they can offer.
Perhaps the newest technology in the treatment of lung cancer is known as photodynamic therapy. A toxin is introduced into the blood stream which normal cells will absorb but then quickly expel. It is retained for a much longer period of time in the cancer cells. A beam of laser light is then applied to the tumor which activates the chemical, killing the cancer cells. At the moment, this therapy is considered highly experimental in nature and should only be seriously considered in a clinical trial capacity. This treatment is encouraging for localized cancers, but could also be used to treat more advanced cancers with extreme symptoms.
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