Studying combined effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy on blood cell counts in lung cancer patients
Main Article Content
Abstract
Lung cancer is the main cause of cancer death both in males and females. There are two major classes of lung cancer; small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) and non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). About 98 % of SCLC is due to cigarette smoking. Mutation in epidermal growth factor gene and translocation in anaplastic lymphoma kinase gene have a crucial role in pathogenesis of some lung cancers. For small cell lung cancer chemotherapy is best technique but for non-small cell lung cancer techniques go from surgery to chemotherapy according to the stage of disease. The effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy were examined by taking blood samples from 59 patients of lung cancer. These patients were categorized according to gender and age. After therapies blood cell counts were going to normal values while somewhere deviations were also observed. Positive effects of radiotherapy are limited to the area of radiation focused. The common side effects are sore throat, tiredness, hair loss, feeling sick and temperature. Non small lung cancer patients have symptoms like weight loss, shortness of breath and fatigue. The results of therapy not only increase the quality of life but it also minimizes the symptoms.
Keywords: Carcinoma; Chemotherapy; Fatigue; Prostate cancers; Anaplastic lymphoma kinase