Lung cancer symptoms, treatment and diet


 Highlights

Apples, garlic, spicy vegetables like broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower and cabbage, foods rich in vitamin C like citrus fruits and yogurt can help prevent/reduce the risk of lung cancer. 

Also, in addition to these foods, use of glutamine, folic acid, vitamin B12, astragalus, silibinin, turkey tail mushroom, reishi mushroom, vitamin D and omega-3 as part of a diet/nutrition can cause specific treatment side effects. can help reduce Improving quality of life or reducing depression and other symptoms in lung cancer patients at various stages.

However, smoking, obesity, a diet high in saturated fat or trans fat such as red meat, and the use of beta-carotene supplements by smokers may increase the risk of lung cancer. 

Avoiding smoking, eating a well-balanced diet with proper diet/nutrition, supplements like mushroom polysaccharides, being physically active and exercising regularly are essential to stay away from lung cancer.

Incidence of lung cancer



Lung cancer is the most common cancer worldwide. According to the World Health Organization, approximately nine cases of lung cancer are diagnosed each year, and approximately 2.1.76 million deaths are caused by lung cancer each year. 

It is the second most common cancer in men and women in the United States of America. About 1 in 1 men and 1 in 15 women will develop this cancer in their lifetime. (American Cancer Society)

Types of lung cancer

Before deciding on the best, appropriate treatment, it is very important for the oncologist to know the exact type of lung cancer the patient has.

Primary lung and secondary lung cancers

Cancers that start in the lungs are called primary lung cancers and cancers that spread to the lungs from elsewhere in the body are called secondary lung cancers.

Based on the type of cells in which the cancer begins to grow, primary lung cancer is classified into two.

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

Non-small cell lung cancer is one of the most common types of lung cancer. 80 to 85% of all lung cancers are non-small cell lung cancers. It develops and spreads/metastasizes more slowly than small cell lung cancer.

Below are the three main types of NSCLC, named after the type of cancer cells:

Adenocarcinoma



 Adenocarcinoma is the most common type of lung cancer in the United States and usually starts in the outer parts of the lungs. Adenocarcinoma accounts for 40% of all lung cancers. It begins in cells that normally secrete mucus-like substances. Lung cancer is also the most common type of lung cancer in people who have never smoked, although the cancer also occurs in current or former smokers.

Large cell carcinomas

Large cell carcinomas are a group of cancers that refer to large, abnormal-looking cells. It accounts for 10-15% of all lung cancers. Large cell carcinomas can start anywhere in the lung and grow quickly, making it difficult to treat. A subtype of large cell carcinoma is large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma, a fast-growing cancer similar to small lung cancer.

Squamous cell carcinoma

 Squamous cell carcinoma is also known as epidermoid carcinoma. It accounts for 25% to 30% of all lung cancers. Squamous cell carcinoma usually begins in the bronchi near the middle of the lung. It begins in squamous cells, which are flat cells that line the inside of the airways in the lungs.

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC)

Small cell lung cancer is not a more common form and accounts for 10% to 15% of all lung cancers. It usually spreads more quickly than NSCLC. It is also called oat cell cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, in about 70 percent of people with SCLC, the cancer will have already spread by the time they are diagnosed.

Other types

Mesothelioma is another type of lung cancer that is mostly associated with asbestos exposure.

Carcinoid tumors of the lung account for less than 5% of lung tumors and begin in hormone-producing (neuroendocrine) cells, most of which grow slowly.

Symptoms

During the early stages of lung cancer, there may be no signs or symptoms. However, as the disease progresses, lung cancer symptoms develop.

Following are the main symptoms of lung cancer.

Cough up blood

Wheezing

A cough that does not go away in 2 or 3 weeks

Persistent chest infections

Steady breathing

Loss of appetite and unexplained weight loss

Pain when breathing or coughing

A chronic cough that worsens

Constant fatigue

What to eat after a cancer diagnosis! Food items!

No two cancers are the same. Go beyond general nutritional guidelines for everyone and make personal decisions about diet and supplementation with confidence.

Risk factors



There are many risk factors that can cause lung cancer to develop and start showing symptoms. (American Cancer Society)

Tobacco smoking is by far the leading risk factor for lung cancer accounting for 80% of lung cancer deaths.

Some of the other risk factors include:

Indirect smoking

Radon's Exposition

Exposure to asbestos

Exposure to other cancer-causing agents in the workplace inclusive of radioactive materials such as uranium, chemicals such as arsenic and diesel exhaust

Arsenic in drinking water

Air pollution

Family history of lung cancer

Exposure to radiation therapy to treat a previous cancer such as breast cancer.

Inherited genetic changes that can lead to lung cancer

Lung cancer stages and treatment

When a patient is diagnosed with lung cancer, a few more tests are required to determine the extent of the cancer's spread through the lungs, lymph nodes, and other parts of the body, which indicates the stage of the cancer. The kind and stage of lung cancer helps the oncologist determine on the most effective treatment for the patient.

There are four main stages of NSCLC

In stage 1, the cancer is localized to the lungs and has not spread outside the lungs.

In stage 2, the cancer is in the lungs and nearby lymph nodes.

In stage 3, the cancer is in the lungs and lymph nodes in the middle of the chest.

In stage 3a, the cancer is only present in the lymph nodes on the same side of the chest where the cancer first started growing.

In stage 3b, the cancer has spread to lymph nodes on the side opposite to the chest or above the collarbone.

In stage 4, the cancer has spread to both lungs, the area around the lungs, or distant organs.

Depending on the type and stage of the disease, lung cancer is treated in several ways.

Following are some of the most commonly used treatments for lung cancer.

Surgery

Chemotherapy

Radiation therapy

Targeted therapy

of immunotherapy

Small-cell lung cancer is usually treated with surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, or a combination of these treatments. Treatment options for these cancers depend on the stage of the cancer, the patient's health and lung function, and other characteristics of the cancer.

Chemotherapy works best in rapidly growing cells. Therefore, small cell lung cancers that grow and spread quickly are usually treated with chemotherapy. Surgery may also be considered as a treatment option for these lung cancers if the patient has limited stage disease, radiation therapy, and very little prognosis. However, these treatments still have a low chance of a complete cure.

Role of diet/nutrition in lung cancer



Proper nutrition/diet, including the right food and supplements, is essential to ward off life-threatening diseases like lung cancer. Proper nutrition also plays an important role in lung cancer treatment, improving quality of life, maintaining strength and body weight, and helping patients cope with the side effects of treatment. 

Here are some examples of foods or foods to avoid when it comes to lung cancer, based on clinical and observational studies.

Foods to avoid and foods to eat to reduce the risk of lung cancer

Beta-carotene and retinol supplementation may increase risk in smokers and people exposed to asbestos

Researchers at the University of Michigan School of Public Health, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, and the National Institute of Health and Welfare in Finland reviewed data from studies of alpha-tocopherol beta-carotene in cancer prevention. 

This includes 29,133 male smokers, aged between 69 and 50 years. And XNUMX years later found that beta-carotene use increased the risk of lung cancer in smokers regardless of the tar or nicotine content of cigarettes.

Another previous clinical trial, the Beta-Carotene and Retinol Efficacy Trial (CARET), conducted by researchers at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Washington, D.C., examined data from 18,314 participants, who either smoked or were or had a history of smoking or exposure to asbestos; found that beta-carotene and retinol supplementation resulted in an 8% increase in the incidence of lung cancer and an 8% increase in mortality compared to participants who did not receive the supplements.

Obesity may increase the risk



Researchers at Suzhou University in China conducted a meta-analysis of 2016 cohort studies obtained through a literature search in the PubMed and Web of Science databases as of October 6, 2016, which included 5,827,831,535 participants with 10 cases of lung cancer. 

And it has been found that for every 0.1 cm increase in waist circumference and 10 unit increase in waist-to-hip ratio, there is a 5% and 2016% risk of lung cancer, respectively.

Eating red meat may increase the risk



Researchers from Shandong University Jinan and Taishan Medical College, Tai'an in China conducted a meta-analysis based on data from 5 published studies obtained from a literature search in 33 databases, including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and National Knowledge Infrastructure. Analyzed. 

And the Wanfeng database analyzed as of June 31, 2013 found that for every 120-gram increase in red meat consumption, there was a 35% increase in lung cancer risk and a 50-gram increase in red meat intake per day. has increased by 20%.

Consumption of cruciferous vegetables may reduce the risk



A large-scale population-based prospective study in Japan, called the Japan Public Health Center (JPHC) Study, analyzed data based on a 38,663-year follow-up questionnaire of 5,82,330 participants. 2017 included 43,667 men and 74,45 women aged between 2017 and 2017 without a previous history of cancer and found that high intakes of cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower and kale were associated with higher risk of cancer in these men. 

I may be associated with a significantly lower risk of lung cancer.

However, this study did not find an association between men who were current smokers and women who were never smokers.

Vitamin C intake may reduce the risk of lung cancer



Researchers from Tongji University School of Medicine in China conducted a meta-analysis, reporting 21 studies based on 18 articles in Phip Med, Web of Knowledge and Wan Feng Med Online through a literature search from December 8938 to December 2013 Lung. Cases of cancer are included. found that high levels of vitamin C (found in citrus fruits) may have a protective effect against lung cancer, particularly in the United States.

Apple intake may reduce the risk



Researchers from the University of Perugia in Italy evaluated data from 23 case-control and 21 facility/population-based studies through a literature search in the PubMed, Web of Science, and Embassy databases and reported that compared with those In those who did not or rarely consumed apples. , in both case-control and cohort studies, individuals with the highest apple intake were associated with a 25% and 11% lower risk of lung cancer, respectively.

Use of raw garlic may decrease the risk



A case-control study conducted between 2005 and 2007 in Taiwan, China, reviewed data obtained from 399 lung cancer cases and 466 healthy controls through face-to-face interviews and reported that in a Chinese population these Compared to people who did not consume raw garlic. , individuals with high raw intake of garlic may be linked to a lower risk of lung cancer with dose-response patterns.

Another similar study found a protective association with dose-response patterns in raw garlic intake and lung cancer.

Consumption of yogurt may reduce the risk



A meta-analysis of 2019 cohorts was conducted based on studies conducted between November 10 and February 2017 in the United States, Europe and Asia, with an average age of 6,27,988 years and 57.9,8,17,862,54.8 women. 2019 included 18,822 men, with a mean age of 8.6 years and a mean follow-up of 8.6 years.

Research has shown that consumption of both fiber and yogurt (a probiotic food) can reduce the risk of lung cancer in people with associations that are more significant in people who have never smoked and who have sex and were not consistent by race/ethnicity. 

It was also found that the group with a high consumption of yogurt as part of the diet/diet had a lower risk of lung cancer than those with the lowest intake of fiber. Decreases by more than 30 percent. Use tea yogurt.

Diet/nutritional foods/supplements for lung cancer patients

Oral glutamine supplementation can reduce radiation-induced esophagitis in patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

A clinical trial at the Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, NSCLC, Taiwan over 60 years of platinum-based regimens and radiotherapy, with or without oral glutamine supplementation for 1 year, found that glutamine excess events has decreased. Grade 2/3 severe radiation-associated esophagitis (esophageal inflammation) and weight loss were 53.4% ​​and 73.3%, respectively, compared to 6.7% and 20%, respectively, of those who did not receive glutamine.

Folic acid and vitamin B12 food supplements with palitrexide can reduce treatment-induced blood toxicity in lung cancer patients.

Researchers at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research in India conducted a clinical trial of 161 non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with femetrexed treatment-related hematologic complications. / Reduction includes supplementation with folic acid and vitamin B12.

Astragalus polysaccharide combined with vinorelbine and cisplatin treatment may improve quality of life in lung cancer patients.

Researchers from the Third Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University in China conducted a study that included 136 patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and measured physical function, fatigue, overall quality of life (about 11.7. 2012 percent improvement). , nausea and vomiting, pain and decreased appetite in patients receiving vinorelbine and cisplatin (VC) chemotherapy plus astragalus polysaccharide injection, compared to those who received vinorelbine and cisplatin treatment alone.

Milk thistle-active sulbinin food supplements reduce cerebral edema in brain metastatic lung cancer patients.

A small clinical study reported that the use of a nutraceutical containing the milk thistle active sulbinin called Legacyl th can improve brain metastases in patients with NSCLC that progressed post radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Findings from these studies also suggest that silybin administration can significantly reduce brain edema. 

However, these inhibitory effects of silybinin on brain metastasis may not affect the early tumor rate in lung cancer patients.

Mushroom polysaccharides for lung cancer patients

Turkey tail mushroom constituent polysaccharide kristin (PSK) may be beneficial in lung cancer patients.

Canadian researchers from the Canadian Institute of Naturopathic Medicine and the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute conducted a systematic review of Turkish studies on the mushroom component polysaccharide kristin (PSK) based on 31 studies (28 randomized and 6 non-randomized controlled trials) and 5 case studies. 

There are 17 related reports. Studies) including lung cancer, including PubMed, EMBSE, CNAHL, The Cochrane Library, UltHealthWatch, and the Library of Science and Technology were retrieved through August 2014.

This study used improvements in median survival and 5-year survival in a non-randomized controlled trial with 1-, 2-, and PSK (the key active ingredient of turkey tail mushroom) and immune parameters and hematological/blood function, performance I have an advantage. 

Status and body weight, tumor-related symptoms such as fatigue and anorexia in lung cancer patients, and survival in randomized controlled trials.

Ganoderma lucidum (reishi mushroom) polysaccharides can improve host immune function in some lung cancer patients.

Massey University researchers conducted a clinical study on 36 patients with advanced lung cancer and found that only a subgroup of these cancer patients responded to Ganoderma lucidum (reishi mushroom) polysaccharides in combination with chemotherapy/radiotherapy and Showed some improvement in host immune function. 

Larger randomized controlled studies are needed to explore the efficacy and safety of Ganoderma lucidum mushroom polysaccharides when used alone or in combination with chemotherapy/radiotherapy in these lung cancer patients.

Vitamin D food supplements may reduce depressive symptoms in patients with metastatic lung cancer



In a recent study by researchers at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science in New York, they found that vitamin D deficiency may be associated with depression in these patients. Therefore, intake of dietary supplements like vitamin D is helpful in reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety in cancer patients.

Omega-3 fatty acid food supplement intake may reduce depressive symptoms in new lung cancer patients.



Fatty fish such as salmon and cod liver oil are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Researchers at the National Cancer Center Research Institute East in Kashiwa, Japan, conducted a clinical study on 771 Japanese lung cancer patients and found that food supplements such as alpha-linolenic acid and total omega-3 fatty acid intake could be associated with a 45% 50% less depressive symptoms in lung cancer patients.

Result

Studies show that a diet/nutrition including foods such as cruciferous vegetables, apples, garlic, foods rich in vitamin C such as citrus fruits and yogurt can help reduce the risk of lung cancer.

 In addition to these foods, glutamine, folic acid, vitamin B12, astragalus, silbanin, turkey tail mushroom polysaccharides, reishi mushroom polysaccharides, vitamin D and omega-3 supplements as part of a diet/nutrition may also help reduce specific treatment side effects. 

May help, improve quality of life or reduce depression and other symptoms in lung cancer patients.

However, smoking, obesity, following a high-fat diet with a diet high in red meat such as saturated fat or trans fat, and the use of beta-carotene and retinol supplements by smokers can significantly increase the risk of lung cancer. . 

Avoiding smoking, eating a healthy diet with the right foods in the right proportions, being physically active and exercising regularly are essential to warding off lung cancer.

What diet you eat and what supplements you take is your selection. Your decision should consider cancer gene mutations, which cancer, ongoing treatments and supplements, any allergies, lifestyle information, weight, height and habits.

Nutrition plan for cancer from Addon is not based on internet searches. It automates selection making for you primarily based on molecular science implemented by our researchers and software engineers. 

Regardless of whether or not you want to understand the underlying biochemical molecular pathways – that understanding is required for cancer nutrition planning.

Get started with your nutrition plan by answering questions on cancer, genetic mutations, ongoing treatments and supplements, any allergies, habits, lifestyle, age group and gender.

Personalized nutrition for cancer!

Cancer changes over time. Customize and modify your diet based on cancer indications, treatments, lifestyle, food preferences, allergies and other factors.

Cancer patients often have to endure various side effects of chemotherapy that affect their quality of life and seek alternative cancer treatments. 

Taking proper nutrition and supplementation based on scientific considerations (avoiding guesswork and random selection) is the best natural treatment for cancer and treatment-related side effects.