A major problem with diagnosing lung cancer correctly is that its symptoms can often be mistaken for those of another condition. Signs of cough, back pain, and weight loss are common enough that they aren’t given a second thought to and most people dismiss them. Due to this, the disease has increased chances of progressing to more severe stages before being diagnosed. As cancer grows, the symptoms become more obvious and persistent. If a person has the following symptoms for a prolonged period of time, and no treatment has provided relief, it is essential to consult a doctor immediately.

• Persistent or bloody cough
• Wheezing
• Pain and difficulty while breathing and swallowing
• Chest pain
• Back pain
• Loss of hair, appetite and unexplained weight loss
• Noisy breathing
• Exhaustion
• Nausea
• Traces of blood in saliva and mucus
• Fever and headache

Diagnosis
There are a number of ways in which lung cancer can be diagnosed, depending from case to case. The tests mentioned below are carried out if the patient or their physician suspects the possibility of lung cancer.

• Imaging tests: Pictures obtained through a CT scan, PET scan and a bone scan can help doctors assess if there are cancer cells, its exact location, and the size of the tumor.
• Procedures: Inconclusive test results mean that doctors will then most likely recommend mildly invasive procedures to remove suspicious tissue and have it checked for malignancy under a microscope.

Based on the results from the imaging test and procedures, the doctors diagnose and also determine the stage of cancer. A team of doctors works out the treatment plan based on the size of the tumor, the age of the patient and their overall case history and health.

Treatment options for Stage III lung cancer
There is no one particular or standard treatment protocol that can work for all cases of stage III lung cancer. Before opting for any procedure, it is important for the patient to attain all the treatment information for stage 3 lung cancer. The treatment method is planned by a team of doctors including a pulmonologist, oncologist, thoracic surgeon, specialist nurses and in some cases social workers. One or a combination of the following options are used — chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. With advancements in medical science, new options like clinical trials, targeted therapies and immunotherapy are available today to treat cancer patients.

• Surgery: Surgical procedures are used to remove Stage III A cancers. They are usually followed by chemotherapy to ensure that cancer cells do not recur. Surgery is usually not recommended in cases of Stage III B as the cancer is more advanced. In such cases, chemotherapy is performed to reduce the size of the tumor, followed by a surgery to remove the reduced tumor.
• Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy can be used as a standalone treatment or combined with surgery and radiation therapy. As Stage III cancers are usually slightly advanced, the call is taken based on the health of the patient and the size of the tumor.
• Radiation therapy: For patients with Stage III cancer, where surgery is not possible, radiation therapy is often combined with chemotherapy to remove cancer. Radiation therapy works well to remove the cancer tissues that have blocked the airways leading to the lungs.
• Immunotherapy: This therapy uses medication to improve a person’s immune system and helps them fight cancer, even if it is in the advanced stage. The procedure is carried out through inserting an IV into the patient’s veins. A new medicine developed in 2017 and approved in 2018 named Durvalumab is being used now to treat people with Stage IV lung cancer along after chemotherapy and radiation therapy. It has also shown improvement in people with Stage III lung cancer. Necitumumab is an immunotherapy medicine that is being recommended with a combination of chemotherapy for Stage III B squamous NSCLC.
• Targeted therapy: This is a new treatment developed by scientists to target the gene mutation in cells that cause cancer. The medications target the specific tumor cells and prevent them from multiplying. As targeted therapy focuses on the cause of the tumor, the treatment is found effective to stop cancer from progressing. However, the patient needs to have detailed discussion about this option with their doctors as many targeted therapies are in trial stages and only a few for Stage III lung cancer are approved.

Outlook and survival rates post treatment
It has been recorded that the life expectancy of Stage III lung cancer is at 15 months. About 14% of the patients who have had Stage III A lung cancer have survived for more than 5 years and about 5% have survived Stage III B lung cancer. With targeted therapies showing better results, and more patients coming forward to be part of clinical trials, there is a promise that these numbers will improve in the years ahead.

Ovarian cancer is a form of cancer that originates in the ovaries, a part of the female reproductive system. It is the tenth most common type of cancer detected among women. Read on to know more about ovarian cancer symptoms, causes, risk factors, types, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.

Symptoms of ovarian cancer
In the early stage of ovarian cancer, the symptoms might be non-existent. As the condition progresses, it might project symptoms that may often be misconstrued for benign health conditions. The signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer could involve the following

• Bloating or swelling in the abdomen
• Back pain
• Frequent urination
• Unexplained weight loss
• Nausea and tiredness
• Pain while having intercourse
• Discomfort or pain in the pelvic region
• Loss of appetite or quickly feeling full even after eating little food
• Constipation

Causes of ovarian cancer
Researchers haven’t been able to narrow down the exact cause of ovarian cancer as yet; however, there are multiple factors that could contribute to the development of this condition. Following are some factors that could amplify the risk of ovarian cancer in women:

• Age – Although ovarian cancer can affect a woman of any age, it is mostly observed among women aged between 50 and 60 years.
• Family history – Individuals who have two or more close relatives who have had dealt with ovarian cancer have higher chances of developing this condition.
• Hormone replacement therapy – A prolonged use of estrogen hormone replacement therapy in high doses can lead to ovarian cancer.
• Early or late menstruation – The commencement of menstruation at an early or later age can both magnify the risk of ovarian cancer.
• Inherited gene mutations – A tiny percentage of ovarian cancer is caused due to gene mutations received from parents. Breast cancer gene 1 (BRCA1) and breast cancer gene 2 (BRCA2) are known to boost the risk of ovarian cancer as well. Likewise, the gene mutations related to Lynch syndrome can also cause ovarian cancer.

Types of ovarian cancer
The types of ovarian cancer are determined according to where the tumor has originated in the ovaries. Here are the three types of ovarian cancer:

• Epithelial tumors – This type of cancer starts within the thin tissue that covers the external part of the ovaries. Epithelial tumors form approximately 90% of the ovarian cancers.
• Stromal tumors – These types of tumors arise in ovarian tissues that comprise the cells that produce hormones. As compared to other types of ovarian cancers, these tumors are usually diagnosed during the initial stages. It is estimated that stromal tumors make up around 7% of the total ovarian cancer cases.
• Germ-cell tumors – These types of tumors begin in the cells that produce eggs. Germ-cell tumors are pretty rare and usually tend to affect younger women.

Diagnosis of ovarian cancer
Depending on the symptoms, doctors can suggest one or multiple diagnostic tests. A pelvic exam is commonly recommended where the doctor examines the vagina for any abnormal growths. Imaging tests such as abdominal and pelvic ultrasound or CT scan are used to gauge the size and structure of the ovaries. Likewise, a blood test for measuring the levels of CA (cancer antigen) 125 can be suggested. However, this blood test can’t definitively claim that one is suffering from cancer. In extreme cases, if there is no conclusive diagnosis drawn, the doctor may suggest surgery to remove the tumor or a part of it for biopsy.

Treatment of ovarian cancer
Once the condition is diagnosed, the doctor will suggest a combination of procedures for its treatment. These include the following:

• Surgery – Depending on how far the cancer has spread, the doctor will recommend surgery to remove either one ovary, both the ovaries, or both ovaries and uterus.
• Chemotherapy – This is a powerful type of drug that is used for killing cancer cells. It can be used before or after the surgery, based on the diagnosis. Drugs used for chemotherapy can be taken orally, injected in the veins, or can be directly injected into the affected part.
• Targeted therapy – In this kind of therapy, drugs are used to target certain vulnerabilities of the cancer cells. It is ordinarily used in cases, where the cancer is resistant to other types of drugs or relapses after treatment.
• Palliative care – This is a specialized form of health treatment that focuses on alleviating the painful symptoms of cancer. The palliative care specialists not only work with the patient but also with family members and doctors to make it easier to cope with aggressive procedures such as chemotherapy and surgery.

Prevention
As of now, there is no foolproof way of entirely preventing ovarian cancer. There are a few measures one can take to lower its risks such as using birth control pills, considering pregnancy, breastfeeding, and surgical procedures such as tubal litigation or hysterectomy. However, it is essential that one scrutinizes the consequences of adopting any such methods. Therefore, it always makes sense to be prudent by seeking the counsel of a qualified gynecologist.