Metastases in the lungs

Metastases are so-called secondary tumors. They are the screening of cancer cells from the organ that is primarily affected by the cancer to other parts of the body.

Metastases in the lungs - symptoms

Sometimes the disease occurs without any significant symptoms, most often metastases in the lungs cause a cough that can be short and similar to the effects of a common cold. Clear signs of metastases in the lungs appear in no more than 20% of cases:

1. Strong suffocating cough.
2. Expectoration of blood.
3. Weight loss.
4. Slight increase in body temperature.
5. Dyspnea.
6. Pain in the chest and ribs.
7. General weakness.

Metastases in the lungs - causes

As mentioned earlier, metastases in the lungs result from the spread of cancer cells in the body in the circulating lymphatic fluid. Metastasize tumors of the gastrointestinal tract and urogenital system. In addition, often metastases occur next to the primary lung tumor or at the site of a distant tumor (cancer recurrence).

Location of metastatic tumors

Intrapulmonary metastases arise from the development of cancer:

• breast cancer;
• the colon;
• rectum;
• kidney;
• ovaries;
• the uterus;
• stomach;
• pancreas.

In addition, directly lung cancer can cause metastases next to the site of tumor localization.

Metastases in the lungs - prognosis

The results of treatment of metastases depend on the following factors:

• the degree and location of the primary oncological disease;
• the number of metastases;
• the size of metastases;
• timely treatment.

As medical practice shows, lung metastases have a disappointing prognosis - life expectancy after surgical treatment of cancer, which metastasized, averages 5 years. In particular, the survival rate of 5-10 years after removal of tumors of the digestive tract is more than 50%. Encouraging projections of life expectancy from 3 to 20 years with oncological diseases of the reproductive system - more than 90%.

Lung cancer and lung metastases - treatment

To determine how to cure metastases in the lungs, it is necessary to identify the source of the metastatic tumor and the nature of its location. In addition, you need to assess the size of the metastases, their number. The stage of diagnostics is very important, because only a correct determination of the parameters of the tumor and its exact position will make it possible to make an effective medical course.

Applied methods of treatment:

1. Hormone therapy - for the treatment of primary cancer of the genitourinary system.
2. Chemotherapy with metastases in the lungs controls the spread and growth of metastases.
3. Radiation therapy is used to alleviate and alleviate symptoms, improve the overall condition of the patient.
4. Radiosurgery. The method is based on excision of oncogenes with the help of a cyber knife.
5. Surgery - removal of tumors promptly.
6. Laser resection is used to block the throat, difficulty breathing.
7. Endobronchial brachytherapy - capsules with radioactive contents are delivered to the bronchi through a bronchoscope.

Metastases in the lungs at the 4 stages of the disease are amenable to treatment the worst. Recently, new methods of fighting this disease have been developed:

• gamma radiation;
• neutron radiation.

In both cases, a precisely focused beam is created that directly irradiates the oncological formation without affecting the surrounding healthy tissue.