Hand & Wrist Surgery in India

Hand & wrist

The movement and power of your hand and wrist are controlled by muscles and tendon. Hand and wrist surgery is refered to the treatment of bones and soft tissue injuries with the use of the latest technology and tools.

Hand Joint Replacement Surgery

Hand surgery is an orthopedic process which deals with problems  with the fingers, hands and wrists. This surgery helps in improving the range of motion, for repairing muscles, tendons or  damage in bones due to injury or disease. It also helps in restoration of the appearance of hands and fingers, due to any reason.
Common types of hand surgery include:

• carpal tunnel release
• Dupuytren’s contracture fasciectomy
• trigger finger release
• tendon repair
• ganglion removal
• knuckle (MCP joint) replacement
• thumb joint surgery.

Carpal tunnel release

Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when pressure is put on the median nerve as it passes through your wrist under the carpal tunnel ligament. This results in pins and needles and numbness in your fingers. Surgery is sometimes needed to ease pressure on the nerve. This is done by splitting the carpal tunnel ligament under local anaesthetic

Dupuytren’s contracture fasciectomy

Dupuytren’s contracture is a condition caused by tissue forming in the palm of your hand and your fingers. It’s often painless may only cause only skin nodules, but it can also form bands that make your fingers curl down into your palm. You may need surgery to remove the tissue and release your fingers

Trigger finger release

If you have trigger finger, the affected finger can often bend normally but becomes stuck in a curled position. This is caused by the tendon which allows your finger to bend becoming thickened, so it becomes stuck in the tunnel where the tendon enters your finger. You may need to use your other hand to help ‘trigger’ your finger straight – which is where the condition gets its name from.
You may be referred to a hand therapist for a splint to be made for you to stop your finger triggering while you’re using it. A local injection helps in most cases. If this fails, you may need a minor day-case operation to open the tunnel and free the tendon.

Tendon repair

Tendon or nerve repairs are  for patients with conditions due to trauma, infections and sports injuries. It is performed within 24 hours of injury for best results. These are very complex procedures and need to be done carefully.

Ganglion removal

A thick fluid called synovial fluid helps joints and tendons move slowly. Sometimes this fluid leaks out of the joint or tendon sheath. The fluid then becomes very thick and sticky, and it may form pockets of fluid (cysts) known as ganglions. These ganglions:

• feel firm or hard when pressed
• are commonly found on the back of your wrist, but they can occur elsewhere
• are commonly associated with osteoarthritiswhen seen on the tips of the backs of your fingers and in your wrist.

Ganglions sometimes disappear on their own, but if they become painful or reduce movement the fluid can sometimes be drainined using a needle. You may need minor surgery to remove them, although it’s likely

• knuckle (MCP joint) replacement

The MCP joints are the large knuckles at the base of your fingers, often referred to as ‘back knuckles’. These joints enable us to position our fingers correctly during tasks as well as allowing for strong gripping and pinching. We use our hands in this way throughout the day so these joints can wear down and become painful. Some conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, can also cause joint changes. You may have noticed some deformity at these joints, a loss of movement and less ability to use your hand normally. A MCP joint replacement involves removing the old joint and replacing it with a new silicone hinged joint.

thumb joint sur

Thumb joint surgery is necessary in condition of Arthritis.It  is a condition that irritates or destroys a joint. Although there are several types of arthritis, the one that most often affects the joint at the base of the thumb (the basal joint) is osteoarthritis (degenerative or “wear-and-tear” arthritis)

Treatment

Nonsurgical Treatment

In its early stages, arthritis at the base of the thumb will respond to nonsurgical treatment.

• Ice the joint for 5 to 15 minutes several times a day.
• Take an anti-inflammatory medication, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, to help reduce inflammation and swelling.
• Wear a supportive splint to limit the movement of your thumb, and allow the joint to rest and heal. The splint may protect both the wrist and the thumb. It may be worn overnight or intermittently during the day.

Because arthritis is a progressive, degenerative disease, the condition may worsen over time. The next phase in treatment involves injecting a steroid solution injection directly into the joint. This will usually provide relief for several months. However, these injections cannot be repeated indefinitely.

Surgical Treatment

The most common joint replacement procedure for the thumb base is done with natural material. The procedure is termed the ligament reconstruction-tendon interposition procedure (LRTI). This procedure uses the patient’s own tendon to stabilize the thumb and resurface the joint. LRTI provides stability and pain relief. Long-term results have been excellent. This has also been called the tendon roll or “anchovy” procedure because the tendon used is curled to form the new joint cushion. When nonsurgical treatment is no longer effective, surgery is an option. The operation can be performed on an outpatient basis, and several different procedures can be used.
One option involves fusing the bones of the joint together. This, however, will limit movement.

wrist Surgery

Arthritis in the wrist joint is common in people with rheumatoid arthritis. Some people may need an surgery if the joint is very painful and not responding to other treatment. If your wrist is badly affected, moving your hand up, down and sideways may be very painful and it’ll be very difficult to twist your forearm to place the palm of your hand upwards –
There are two options for wrist surgery

Wrist fusion

Wrist fusion may be suggested if your wrist is badly damaged. This is where the bones in your wrist are fixed to the bones in your hand. This reduces pain and increases strength but usually stops you moving your wrist up and down

Wrist joint replacement

Wrist joint replacement isn’t yet a common operation. The aim is to keep some wrist movement and get rid of pain.
There are other types of conditions seen in the wrist joint:

Ligament Injury

A sprain is an injury to a ligament. Ligaments are the connective tissues that connect bones to bones; they could be thought of as tape that holds the bones together at a joint. Writs have many ligaments (soft tissues) to connect bones to each other. If due to any trauma, it gets ruptured, this surgery is performed.
Treatment may range from wearing a splint or cast to surgery. Surgery may consist of arthroscopic (with an internal camera) or open surgery. A variety of repair methods exist, which could include metal pins, screws, and other specialized devices.

Facture

A wrist fracture is a medical term for a broken wrist. The wrist is made up of eight small bones which connect with the two long forearm bones called the radius and ulna. Although a broken wrist can happen in any of these 10 bones.. Some wrist fractures are stable. “Non-displaced” breaks, in which the bones do not move out of place initially, can be stable. Some “displaced” breaks (which need to be put back into the right place, called “reduction” or “setting”) also can be stable enough to treat in a cast or splint.
Treatment depends on many factors :

• Type of fracture, whether it is displaced, unstable or open
• Your age, job, hobbies, activity level, and whether it is your “dominant” hand
• Your overall general health
• Presence of other injuries

A padded splint might be worn at first in order to align the bones and support the wrist to provide some relief from the initial pain. If the fracture is not too unstable, a cast may be used to hold a fracture that has been set. Other fractures may benefit from surgery to put the broken bones back together and hold them in correct place.
Fractures may be fixed with many devices. Pins, screws, plates, rods or external fixation can all be used. Sometimes the bone is so severely crushed that there is a gap in the bone once it has been realigned. In these cases, a bone graft may be added to help the healing process.

Cost of Hand and wrist surgery in India

The major benefit  of low cost with  excellent-quality services internationally-trained medical practitioners and hospitals with top most technique and equipment for hand and wrist surgery makes India best destination for medical tourism as compared to countries like USA,UK,Europe and rest of the world.

Foot and Ankle surgery in India

Foot and ankle surgery is a sub-specialty of orthopedics and podiatry that deals with the treatment, diagnosis and prevention of disorders of the foot and ankle. This surgery can relieve pain and maintain motion in the arthritic ankle joint and is an alternative to arthrodesis (ankle fusion) which can relieve pain but eliminates motion in the joint.
Conditions that may need surgery include:

• bunions
• hammertoes
• damaged metatarsal bones
• ankle arthritis
• Achilles tendon disorders
• Morton’s neuroma
• tibialis posterior dysfunction
• plantar fasciitis.
• Ligament fractures
• Diabetic foot disorders

Types of Foot and ankle surgery

Bunions

Bunions are bony lumps that develop on the side of your foot and at the base of your big toe. They’re the result of a condition called hallux valgus, which causes your big toe joint to bend towards the other toes and become deformed. If symptoms carry on over a long period, your toe may need to be surgically corrected. This involves straightening your big toe and metatarsals, a process called an osteotomy. Although this may make your joint stiffer, it works to ease the pain. If your bunion has been caused by rheumatoid arthritis, you may also develop rheumatoid nodules. These firm, pea-sized lumps can occur at pressure points such as your big toe joints, the back of your heels or on your toes, but they can be surgically removed –

Hammer toes

As well as bunions, hallux valgus can also cause your other toes to become clawed or permanently bent. This condition is known as hammer toes. Damages caused by hammer toes can be eased by:

arthroplasty – removing the deformed joint between your toe bones (phalanges), which leaves the joint flexible

arthrodesis – fusing your phalanges together, which leaves your toe more stable but means you’ll only be able to wear flat shoes after the operation. These surgeries take a span ranging from an hour to a day.

Metatarsal surgery

The joints in your forefoot can be damaged by inflammation of the lining of your joint (synovitis) in some forms of arthritis, for example rheumatoid arthritis. These small joints are called the metatarsophalangeal joints (MTPJs), and they can become dislocated when damaged by arthritis. The pain and discomfort this causes is sometimes described as feeling like you’re walking on pebbles
If treatments do not help, surgery is the only solution, depending on the severity of the problem.

Ankle Arthritis

Ankle arthritis is a clinical condition in which the joint that connects the foot to the leg, known as the tibiotalar or ankle joint, has damaged or worn out cartilage. There are three bones involved in this joint: the tibia, the fibula and the talus. The arthritis can involve any or all of these bones. Arthritis is characterized by pain ,swelling and occasional deformity of the joint. You may need surgery if your symptoms are severe. There are three surgical options: –

• Ankle fusion
• Ankle replacement
• Triple fusion
• Ankle fusion

Ankle fusion involves removing the damaged ankle joint and fusing your talus bone to your tibia to form a stiff but pain-free ankle. Your foot is fused at a right angle to your leg, in the position it would be if you were standing up. Your bones are held together using screws and new bone grows across, creating one bone where there were two . In some cases this procedure can be performed using keyhole surgery (arthroscopy), which means it can be done through just a small cut, so your joint doesn’t have to be opened up. The procedure takes between one and two hours .

Ankle replacement

An ankle replacement surgery involves taking out the worn-out ends of your tibia and talus bones and replacing them with artificia) ends made out of plastic or metal. Unlike an ankle fusion, a replacement allows you to move your joint after surgery. – This surgery takes around an hour or two and a patient gets well in 6 weeks. This replacement lasts for around 15 years and may need new joints.

Triple fusion

Triple fusion is the surgical fusion of three joints (the talonavicular, subtalar and calcaneocuboid joints) either as a treatment for arthritis within these joints or as a method of correcting a stiff foot deformity. A combination of plates, screws or staples is often used to do this. It takes 12–14 weeks for the fusion to be complete

Achilles tendon disorders

Achilles tendon is the largest tendon in your body,and the muscle in your lower leg puts a lot of force through it to make you move. As we get older it can start to wear, which can lead to painful swellings within the main tendon or where it attaches to your heel bone . The surgery is performed in a day’s time and needing crutches later.
There are 3 choices in ankle replacement implants where each has a specific design. The three types ate- InBone (Wright) ankle replacement, The Salto Talaris (Tornier) ankle replacement and the Agility (Depuy) ankle replacement.

Morton’s neuroma

The most common neuroma in the foot is a Morton’s neuroma, which occurs between the third and fourth toes. It is sometimes referred to as an intermetatarsal neuroma. “Intermetatarsal” describes its location in the ball of the foot between the metatarsal bones. Neuromas may also occur in other locations in the foot.

The thickening, or enlargement, of the nerve that defines a neuroma is the result of compression and irritation of the nerve. This compression creates enlargement of the nerve, eventually leading to permanent nerve damage.

Symptoms

• Tingling, burning, or numbness
• Pain
• A feeling that something is inside the ball of the foot
• A feeling that there’s something in the shoe or a sock is bunched up

If the problem is severe, surgery for removal  of the nerve is the solution which needs  you to wear a bandage for about 2 weeks
Tibialis posterior dysfunction

Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction is one of the most common problems of the foot and ankle. It occurs when the posterior tibial tendon becomes inflamed or torn. As a result, the tendon may not be able to provide stability and support for the arch of the foot, resulting in flat foot.

Most patients can be treated without surgery, using orthotics and braces. If orthotics and braces do not provide relief, surgery can be an effective way to help with the pain. Surgery might be as simple as removing the inflamed tissue or repairing a simple tear.

The surgery takes around 2 hours and takes around 8-12 weeks to get healed.

Plantar fasciitis

The plantar fascia is a tough band of fibrous tissue that starts at your heel bone and stretches across the sole of your foot to your toes. Plantar fasciitis is inflammation at the site where the fascia attaches under your heel . The surgery takes around one hour and one is needed to wear a bandage after the surgery.

Cost of Foot and Ankle Surgery in India

The costs  of foot and ankle surgery in the countries like the UK,USA and Europe is very high as compared  to  the cost of foot and ankle surgery in India which very afforfable. Top most  technology is used in  hospitals offering excellent personalized services and treatments from internationally trained doctors and surgeons.

Hip Replacement Surgery in India

Hip Replacement Surgery

Hip replacement surgery is a procedure in which a doctor surgically removes a painful hip joint with arthritis and replaces it with an artificial joint often made from metal and plastic component known as prosthesiss . It usually is done when all other treatment options have failed to provide adequate pain relief.The surgery to increase mobility, relieving pain and improving the function of your hip joint.

Procedure for hip replacement surgery

The traditional method to surgical approach of total hip replacement uses a single, long incision to view and access the hip joint. A new variation of this approach is a minimally invasive procedure in which one or two shorter incisions are used. The goal of using shorter incisions is to reduce pain and speed recovery. Since the muscles and tendons are not cut, there is less pain while the patient recovers because they are not forced to sit on the incisions. With this technique, the patient also has a reduced risk of dislocating the new hip.

Types of Hip Replacement Surgeries

Total Hip Replacement

Determining the cause of your hip pain can be difficult, Alphine life will get you  orthopaedic evaluation which is essential. Alphine life suggested top orthopaedic surgeon will work to identify the cause of your hip pain and develop a treatment pathway for you.

Ultimately, restoring the highest level of movement and function with the least amount of risk is our goal. And before surgery is recommended, non-surgical treatments, including lifestyle changes, medication, injections and physical therapy will be exhausted. For a majority of patients, non-surgical treatments provide adequate relief and recovery to return to the best possible quality of life.

The purpose of hip replacement surgery is to remove the two damaged and worn parts of the hip joint – the hip socket (acetabulum) and the ball (femoral head) – and replace them with smooth, artificial implants called prostheses, which will help make the hip strong, stable and flexible again. The artificial joints are attached to the bone with arcylic cement. If only one part is fixed with cement, it is known as Hybrid Total Hip Replacement.

Minimally Invasive Hip Replacement

In minimally invasive total hip replacement, the surgical procedure is similar, but there is less cutting of the tissue surrounding the hip. The artificial implants used are the same as those used for traditional hip replacement. However, specially designed surgical instruments are needed to prepare the socket and femur and to place the implants properly.

Minimally invasive total hip replacement can be performed with either one or two small incisions. Smaller incisions allow for less tissue disturbance.

Single-incision surgery. In this type of minimally invasive hip replacement, the surgeon makes a single incision that usually measures from 3 to 6 inches. The length of the incision depends on the size of the patient and the difficulty of the procedure.

The incision is usually placed over the outside of the hip. The muscles and tendons are split or detached from the hip, but to a lesser extent than in traditional hip replacement surgery. They are routinely repaired after the surgeon places the implants. This encourages healing and helps prevent dislocation of the hip.

Two-incision surgery. In this type of minimally invasive hip replacement, the surgeon makes two small incisions:
A 2- to 3-inch incision over the groin for placement of the socket, and
A 1- to 2-inch incision over the buttock for placement of the femoral stem

Hip Resurfacing.

It is For people who are young and active, hip resurfacing is an alternative to total hip replacement. Unlike total hip replacement, hip resurfacing doesn’t require removing the femoral head and replacing it with a ball of metal or ceramic material. Instead the damaged femoral head is reshaped and fitted with a metal covering that fits into the socket.

Acetabulur Cup

One of the components your surgeon will select to reconstruct your hip is an “acetabular” cup to replace your natural socket, which is called the acetabulum. The acetabular cup is the part of a hip implant that forms the socket in the ball-and-socket structure of the hip joint.
The femoral head at the top of the thigh bone (femur) rotates within the curved surface of the acetabulum
In a hip replacement procedure, the acetabular cup, replaces the acetabulum or socket. It also includes a femoral head (ball) that allows the hip joint to rotate. The femoral head (or ball), replaces the natural head of the femur (thigh bone) and attaches to the stem.

Femoral Component

Over the last several years, a trend towards increasing femoral head size in total hip arthroplasty to improve stability and impingement free range of motion has been observed. The femoral component is the component that fits in the femur (thigh bone). Bone is removed and the femur is shaped to accept the femoral stem with attached prosthetic femoral head (ball). There are two types of fixation: cemented and uncemented. Cemented stems use acrylic bone cement to form a mantle between the stem and to the bone. Uncemented stems use friction, shape and surface coatings to stimulate bone to remodel and bond to the implant. Stems are made of multiple materials (titanium, cobalt chromium, stainless steel, and polymer composites) and they can be monolithic or modular. Modular components consist of different head dimensions and/or modular neck orientations; these attach via a taper similar to a Morse taper. These options allow for variability in leg length, offset and version. Femoral heads are made of metal or ceramic material. Metal heads, made of cobalt chromium for hardness, are machined to size and then polished to reduce wear of the socket liner. Ceramic heads are more smooth than polished metal heads, have a lower coefficient of friction than a cobalt chrome head, and in theory will wear down the socket liner more slowly

Articular interface

The articular interface lies between the femoral head and the acetabular cup. The properties of the interface can be selected after weighing up the patient’s demand for optimal implant function and the associated risks. The size of the interface is determined by measuring either the outside diameter of the femoral head or the inside diameter of the socket.
The Hip Replacement Surgery cost in India is very low cost compared to entire world.

Knee Replacement Surgery in India

It also known as knee arthroplasty (ARTH-row-plas-tee) — can help relieve pain and restore function in severely diseased knee joints.It   is a surgical procedure wherein diseased knee is treated by removing the damaged cartilage and bone and replacing it with synthetic one. The materials used to create an artificial joint are made up of metal (titanium or cobalt chrome) and are strong and long lasting. Since they produce less friction, they are optimal for joint function The most common reason for knee replacement surgery is to repair joint damage caused by osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. People who need knee replacement surgery usually have problems walking, climbing stairs, and getting in and out of chairs. They may also experience moderate or severe knee pain at rest
There are 3 types of arthiritis

1. Osteoarthritis

It’s the “wear and tear” that happens when your joints are overused. It usually happens with age, but it can also result from joint injuries or obesity (which puts extra stress on your joints).
Joints that bear weight — such as your knees, hips, feet, and spine – are the most common places it affects. It often comes on gradually over months or years. It causes pain in the affected joint. But people who have it don’t feel sick or have the fatigue that comes with some othertypes of arthritis. the tissue covering the bones softens and wears away, the bone began to rub against each other and leads to severe pain.

2. Rheumatoid Arthritis

It is an autoimmune disease. The immune system attacks parts of the body, especially the joints. That leads toinflammation, which can cause severe joint damage if you don’t treat it.People who have rheumatoid arthritis get lumps on their skin called rheumatoid nodules. These often form over joint areas that receive pressure, such as over knuckles, elbows, or heels.

traumatic arthritis

traumatic arthritis is caused by the wearing out of a joint that has had any kind of physical injury. After a severe injury such as a fracture or dislocation, post-traumatic arthritis develops. This type of arthritis usually occurs after a serious knee injury. Knee arthritis can make it hard to do many everyday activities, such as walking or climbing stairs. It is a major cause of lost work time and a serious disability for many people.

Types of knee replacement

There are several kinds of replacement knee joint as well as different surgical methods. Taking into account the condition of your knee and your general health.
There are about the four main types of knee replacement surgery:

• total knee replacement
• unicompartmental (partial) knee replacement
• kneecap replacement (patellofemoral arthroplasty)
• complex or revision knee replacement.

Total knee replacement

The operations involve replacing the joint surfaces at the end of your thigh bone (femur) and at the top of your shin bone (tibia).
A total knee replacement may also involve replacing the under-surface of your kneecap (patella) with a smooth plastic dome
The new parts are normally cemented in place. If cement is not used then the surface of the component facing the bone is textured or coated to encourage bone to grow onto it, forming a natural bond.
Another common technique is to use a mobile plastic bearing which isn’t firmly fixed to the metal parts. This may help to reduce wear on your new joint, though it isn’t hasn’t been shown to provide better long-term results
unicompartmental (partial) knee replacement

There are three compartments of the knee – the inner (medial), the outer (lateral) and the kneecap (patellofemoral). If arthritis affects only one side of your knee – usually the inner side – it may be possible to have a half-knee replacement (sometimes called unicompartmental or partial replacement. Because this involves less interference with the knee than a total knee replacement, it usually means a quicker recovery and better function. Partial knee replacements can be carried out through a smaller cut (incision) than a total knee replacement, using techniques called reduced invasive or minimally invasive surgery. A smaller incision may further reduce the recovery time. Partial knee replacement isn’t suitable for everyone because you need to have strong, healthy ligaments within your knee. Sometimes this won’t be known until the time of surgery.

Rotating Knee Replacement

A rotating hinged total knee prosthesis may be utilized for the treatment of global instability or severe bone loss around the knee. The rotating knee replacement implants not only swing back and forth (like a hinge), but the knee can also rotate inwards and outwards (a twisting motion). Because a normal knee joint rotates a small amount, the rotating knee replacements are intended to more closely replicate normal knee moti

kneecap replacement (patellofemoral arthroplasty)

It’s possible to replace just the under-surface of the kneecap and its groove (the trochlea) if these are the only parts affected by arthritis. This is also called a patellofemoral replacement or patellofemoral joint arthroplasty.

complex or revision knee replacement.

Today’s implants are designed to last many years, it’s possible that at some point in the future—typically 15 to 20 years or more—your prosthetic will break or wear out. If you are overweight or you engage in high impact activities such as running or court sports, the device may fail sooner. When a knee replacement no longer functions correctly, revision surgery is often required. During this procedure, a surgeon replaces the old device with a new one.Revision surgery isn’t something to take lightly. It is more complicated than a  “initial” total knee replacement (TKR) and entails many of the same risks

Cost of Knee replacement Surgery in India

The cost of Total Knee Replacement in India is quite low as compared to anywhere in the world. Even the Oxinium Knee Replacement procedure can cost up to $ 75,000 in U.S.A whereas in India, the cost is quite low

Lung Cancer Treatment In India

Lung Cancer

Lung cancer, also known as lung carcinoma,is a malignant lung tumor characterized by uncontrolled cell growth intissues of the lung.If left untreated, this growth can spread beyond the lung by the process of metastasis into nearby tissue or other parts of the body. These abnormal cells do not grow into a healthy lung tissue and as a result of this, they divide for forming tumors. These innumerable and large tumors weaken the lungs and due to this they cannot provide the bloodstream with oxygen.Most cancers that start in the lung, known as primary lung cancers, are carcinomas.

Types of Lung Cancer

There are two major types of lung cancer, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Staging lung cancer is based on whether the cancer is local or has spread from the lungs to the lymph nodes or other organs. Because the lungs are large, tumors can grow in them for a long time before they are found. Even when symptoms—such as coughing and fatigue—do occur, people think they are due to other causes. For this reason, early-stage lung cancer (stages I and II) is difficult to detect.

Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Non-small cell lung cancer accounts for about 85 percent of lung cancers and includes:

• Adenocarcinoma, the most common form of lung cancer in the United States among both men and women;
• Squamous cell carcinoma, which accounts for 25 percent of all lung cancers;
• Large cell carcinoma, which accounts for about 10 percent of NSCLC tumors.

Stages of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Stage I: The cancer is located only in the lungs and has not spread to any lymph nodes.

Stage II: The cancer is in the lung and nearby lymph nodes.

Stage III: Cancer is found in the lung and in the lymph nodes in the middle of the chest, also described as locally advanced disease. Stage III has two subtypes:

• If the cancer has spread only to lymph nodes on the same side of the chest where the cancer started, it is called stage IIIA.
• If the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes on the opposite side of the chest, or above the collar bone, it is called stage IIIB.

Stage IV: This is the most advanced stage of lung cancer, and is also described as advanced disease. This is when the cancer has spread to both lungs, to fluid in the area around the lungs, or to another part of the body, such as the liver or other organs.

Small Cell Lung Cancer

Small cell lung cancer accounts for the remaining 15 percent of lung cancers in the United States. They tend to grow more quickly than NSCLC tumors. Usually, SCLC is more responsive to chemotherapy than NSCLC.

Stages of Small Cell Lung Cancer

Limited stage: In this stage, cancer is found on one side of the chest, involving just one part of the lung and nearby lymph nodes.

Extensive stage: In this stage, cancer has spread to other regions of the chest or other parts of the body.

The American Joint Commission on Cancer implemented a more detailed staging system in which the stages of small cell lung cancer are described using Roman numerals and letters (for example, Stage IIA). This is the same method that is used for non-small cell lung cancer in describing the growth and spread of the cancer

Symptoms of Lung Cancer

The most common symptoms of lung cancer are:

• A cough that does not go away or gets worse.
• Coughing up blood or rust-colored sputum (spit or phlegm)
• Chest pain that is often worse with deep breathing, coughing, or laughing.
• Hoarseness.
• Weight loss and loss of appetite.
• Shortness of breath.
• Feeling tired or weak.

Diagnosis of Lung Cancer

In addition to a physical examination, the following tests may be used to diagnose and stage lung cancer:

• A biopsy is the removal of a small amount of tissue for examination under a microscope.
• Molecular testing of the tumor. Your doctor may recommend running laboratory tests on a tumor sample to identify specific genes, proteins, and other factors unique to the tumor.

Imaging tests

• CT scan. A CT scan produces images that allow doctors to see the size and location of a lung tumor and/or lung cancer metastases.
• Positron emission tomography (PET) scan. A PET scan is a way to create pictures of organs and tissues inside the body.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. An MRI also produces images that allow doctors to see the location of a lung tumor and/or lung cancer metastases and measure the tumor’s size. An MRI uses magnetic fields, not x-rays, to produce detailed images of the body.
• Bone scan. A bone scan uses a radioactive tracer to look at the inside of the bones. The tracer is injected into a patient’s vein. It collects in areas of the bone and is detected by a special camera. Healthy bone appears gray to the camera, and areas of injury, such as those caused by cancer

Lung Cancer Treatment

Treatment options and recommendations depend on several factors, including the type and stage of cancer, possible side effects, and the patient’s preferences and overall health. Your care plan may also include treatment for symptoms and side effects, an important part of cancer care.

Surgery

he goal of surgery is the complete removal of the lung tumor and the nearby lymph nodes in the chest. The tumor must be removed with a surrounding border or margin of healthy lung tissue. A “negative margin” means that when the pathologist examines the lung, or piece of lung that has been removed by the surgeon, no cancer was found in the healthy tissue surrounding the tumor.

The following types of surgery may be used:

• The lungs have five lobes, three in the right lung and two in the left lung. The removal of an entire lobe of the lung in a procedure called a lobectomy is currently thought to be the most effective type of surgery, even when the lung tumor is very small.
• A wedge resection. If the surgeon cannot remove an entire lobe of the lung, the surgeon can remove the tumor, surrounded by a margin of healthy lung.
• This is another way to remove the cancer when an entire lobe of the lung cannot be removed. In a segmentectomy, the surgeon removes the portion of the lung where the cancer developed.
• If the tumor is close to the center of the chest, the surgeon may have to remove the entire lung.
• Radiofrequency ablation. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is the use of a needle inserted into the tumor to destroy the cancer with an electrical current. It is sometimes used for a lung tumor that cannot be removed with the other types of surgery listed above.

Radiation therapy

Radiation therapy is the use of high energy x-rays or other particles to destroy cancer cells. The most common type of radiation treatment is called external-beam radiation therapy, which is radiation given from a machine outside the body. A radiation therapy regimen (schedule) usually consists of a specific number of treatments given over a set period of time. This can vary from just a few days of treatment to several weeks.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to destroy cancer cells, usually by stopping the cancer cells’ ability to grow and divide. It has been shown to improve both the length and quality of life for people with lung cancer of all stages. Systemic chemotherapy gets into the bloodstream to reach cancer cells throughout the body. Common ways to give chemotherapy include an intravenous (IV) tube placed into a vein using a needle or in a pill or capsule that is swallowed (orally). Most chemotherapy used for lung cancer is given by IV injection.

Targeted therapy

Targeted therapy is a treatment that targets the cancer’s specific genes, proteins, or the tissue environment that contributes to cancer growth and survival. This type of treatment blocks the growth and spread of cancer cells while limiting damage to healthy cells.