The squamous cell form of oncology belongs to the group of the most frequently diagnosed lung cancer pathologies. To treat similar onkoprotsessy it is necessary as intensively, as other kinds of a pulmonary cancer.
The success of treatment is significantly increased if oncology is timely identified. For this, it will be useful for the patients themselves to know what symptomatic manifestations such pulmonary oncology is different.
Concept of the disease
A distinctive feature of such an oncology is its origin from the bronchial lining epithelial cell structures.
A similar epithelial layer is also present on the membranes of the esophagus, oral cavity, uterine neck, larynx, etc.
The clinical picture of a squamous cell tumor depends on the nature of the localization of the cancer process.
Epithelial cilia are in continuous motion, due to which the sputum constantly moves towards the oral cavity. Such processes contribute to the cleansing of the bronchial tree, which provides free breathing to a person.
Under the influence of such negative factors, the cilia are replaced by epithelial cells, from which a tumor is subsequently formed. Usually, such cancerous processes begin in the pulmonary root, and only a third of patients have a pulmonary tumor formed in the wall of the bronchi.
On an x-ray, such a lung oncology appears to be a rounded formation, the tissues of the center of which die with time, forming cavities.
For such a pulmonary oncology, a relatively slow development and the absence of metastases at the initial stages are typical. Although undifferentiated cancer is characterized by rapid development and metastasis.
Classification of
Specialists identify several specific classifications of similar lung cancer.
The main anatomical forms are the central cancer, localized in the large bronchi, and peripheral, which begins in the small bronchi and bronchioles.
In addition, two types are distinguished, the first is squamous non-coronary lung cancer and keratinizing, both forms represent a serious danger, but are cured with early detection. There are also secondary squamous cell forms:
- Iron-squamous cell - For a similar type of cancer, the combination of adenocarcinoma clinic and squamous cell tumor is typical. By analogy with adenocarcinomas, such formations are characterized by large size, location on the periphery of the lung, a tendency to the appearance of metastases. Studies show that the majority of glandular squamous cell carcinomas are undifferentiated large cell carcinomas;
- The disseminated form of is characterized by the most severe course among all squamous forms, because it is characterized by rapid progression and the presence of a number of foci of the tumor process that are scattered throughout the lung tissue;
- Mediastinal - a similar kind of squamous cell oncology characterized by early metastasis in the lymph nodes of the mediastinum.
Symptoms of
Symptomatic of squamous cell lung cancer is due primarily to the nature of growth, anatomical location, the rate of occurrence of metastases and the size of the formation.
In general, the symptoms of such an oncology are almost identical to other types of pulmonary cancer.
Approximately 10-15% of oncological patients have asymptomatic tumors, but with fluorographic examination, the cancer easily detects itself.
The entire oncological clinic can be divided into primary manifestations that are local in nature, and secondary signs that result from onco-toxicity, metastasis and various complications.
Primary clinic is caused by the onset and subsequent growth of the tumor, there are such symptoms early enough:
- Nasty, unproductive cough;
- Shortness of breath;
- Intensive soreness in the thoracic region;
- Hemoplegia.
With the gradual progression of the cancer process, secondary symptoms also join to these manifestations:
- Febrile type fever( 38-39 ° C);
- Productive cough with purulent-mucous sputum;
- Disorders of swallowing functions, dysphagic manifestations;
- Horner's syndrome or innervation of muscle tissue in the eyes;
- Whisper or hoarseness of voice;
- Arrhythmic symptoms such as dizziness and chest pain, rhythm and pulse disorders, hypertension and shallow breathing, palpitations, etc.;
- Painful sensations in the brachial and cervical region.
There is a general symptomatology, including anorexia, extreme exhaustion, weight loss, general weakening of the body. At autopsy of those who died from squamous cell carcinoma, in about half of cases, extrathoracic metastases are found in brain tissue, adrenal glands, liver and bone.
Causes and risk factors
Smokers with tobacco smoke inhale a variety of carcinogens and resins that have a harmful effect on the epithelial cilia covering the bronchopulmonary mucosal surfaces.
As a result, the cilia lose the ability to fully perform their functions, which causes foreign particles to accumulate on the bronchial walls.
The bronchus surface gradually adapts to permanent contacts with cigarette smoke and the cilia are replaced by epithelial squamous structures.
In addition to smoking, there are other factors that trigger the occurrence of squamous cell lung cancer:
- The presence of large concentrations of dust in the inhaled air;
- Professional conditionality like work at a construction site, in mines, metallurgical and industrial, chemical enterprises;
- Viral diseases( papillomavirus, cytomegalovirus, etc.);
- Carcinogenic effects such as radiation, harmful fumes, etc.;
- Pulmonary pathological conditions like bronchitis, pneumonia, tuberculosis.
The stages of the disease
Pulmonary squamous cell cancer is divided into four stages of development:
- In the first stage the tumor is small, not more than 3 cm diameter, localized only in one bronchial or pulmonary segment;
- The second stage of oncology is characterized by an increase in the tumor, and single metastases can occur in nearby lymph nodes;
- The third stage is characterized by an increase in the tumor size of more than 6 cm, which sprouts into the adjacent pulmonary lobe or bronchus. At this stage, survival forecasts are no more than 20%;
- The fourth stage of the squamous cell tumor process is characterized by tumor germination in many internal organs and extensive spread of metastases. This stage of cancer is not cured, therefore the prognosis is only unfavorable.
Diagnosis
Diagnostic procedures for squamous cell lung cancer involves the use of such techniques:
- Blood test;
- Fluorography, radiology;
- Ultrasound examination;
- Bronchoscopy;
- Biopsy;
- CT;
- Bronchoalveolar flushing, microscopic examination of sputum;
- Histological examination, etc.
Videoconference on screening and differential diagnosis of lung cancer with CT:
Treatment of
The patient chooses the tactics of treating squamous cell lung cancer according to anamnesis, histological features, degree of injury and oncology stage. Usually resort to complex therapeutic tactics, which includes several therapeutic techniques. As an extreme therapeutic measure, surgical intervention is considered.
Usually in the treatment of squamous cell lung cancer resort to chemotherapeutic treatment, radiotherapy, immunotherapy or symptomatic therapy.
Chemotherapy treatment involves the use of specialized drugs that can destroy abnormal tumor cell structures. Cytostatic agents are administered intravenously to the oncological patient. Chemotherapeutic treatment has many adverse reactions.
Radiotherapy involves the use of radiation exposure to cancer cells. As a result of such therapy, the majority of cellular structures die, and education becomes significantly less. This effect is applied in 3-4 stages of development of squamous cell lung cancer.
Symptomatic treatment involves the elimination of symptoms that have arisen due to the development of various kinds of complications, cancer-related diseases and other manifestations caused directly by the cancerous tumor. If the above-described therapeutic methods do not provide proper efficacy, then surgical intervention is indicated.
The surgical method for treating squamous cell lung cancer is most effective when the disease has not yet been widely spread and metastasized, and it is possible to remove the tumor with part of the affected lung.
If the operation is performed at 4 incurable stage, then complete removal of the lung and some operative metastases are assumed. And after removal the patient is given palliative treatment.
Palliative therapy is a technique whose action is aimed at facilitating the life of an incurably patient and gradually dying patient. It involves the use of analgesia, oxygen therapy and other measures of therapy.
Prognosis of survival for squamous cell lung cancer
The survival prognosis for squamous cell lung cancer depends on many factors, although in general it is unfavorable.
At the initial stage of the oncology process, about 80% of patients survive, in 2 stages - no more than 50%, in stage 3 - about 20%, and 4 - less than 8%.
Only early detection of the oncology process gives the patient a chance to recover and prolong life, otherwise the forecasts are unfavorable.