This program discusses the preventive, diagnostic and therapeutic measures indicated for lung cancer. The program notes that pre-cancerous lesions from smoking may be reversible and that periodic chest x-rays should be used as the primary diagnostic tool. Such pathologic conditions as the thickening of the bronchial epithelium basal cells with atypical nuclei are described through microscopic views. Radiographs and drawings of several clinical cases illustrate the inoperability of lesions due to their location. Another clinical patient with alveolar cell carcinoma is presented to illustrate that other pulmonary diseases such as recurrent bronchitis or pneumonia can often obscure the detection of cancer. The program maintains that differential procedures such as sputum cytology, laryngoscopy, bronchoscopy, and mediastinoscopy should be indicated whenever the x-rays reveal a lung shadow persisting longer that two weeks. The program suggests the useof radiotherapy and chemotherapy in patients with inoperable lesions.
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American Cancer Society; Source: Item; Research date: 01/06/2011