What is Lung Cancer?
Lung cancer or bronchogenic carcinoma is a type of cancer that originates in the lung tissues. It is one of the most common type of cancer, and is a leading cause of deaths that can be attributed to any cancer worldwide. Approximately overall 11.6% cases of all the cancer cases recoded globally was attributed to lung cancer in year 2020.
Lung cancer has caused approximately 18.4% of all the cancer related deaths worldwide, and so it is known to be leading cause of cancer related deaths. It is estimated that approximately 2.2 million new lung cancer cases was diagnosed globally in year 2020, and approximately 1.8 million deaths was attributed to lung cancer in year 2020.
Smoking tobacco is one of the leading cause of lung cancer, and accounts for approximately 85% of all the lung cancer cases recorded. It is estimated that smoking tobacco will cause approximately 1 billion deaths in 21st century, and has left approximately 100 million people dead in year 20th century. All forms of tobacco has a negative health impact, and can cause varieties of other cancer like colon cancer, bladder cancer etc.
There are two main types of lung cancer: 1) Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) and 2) Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC). Classification of the lung cancer depends on the characteristics of the cells involved in the lung cancer. Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) accounts for approximately 85% of all the lung cancer cases diagnosed.
Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC) accounts for almost 15% of all the Lung Cancer cases diagnosed. SCLC tends to be more aggressive in nature and metastasize at earlier stages. Treatment of Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC) tends to be associated with guarded prognosis.
Side-Effects of different treatment modalities in Lung Cancer Patients
There are many treatment modalities that is administered or advised to lung cancer patients, and each such modality is with its own group of side-effects. The most commonly administered treatment modality for lung cancer patients is 1) Surgery. 2) Radiotherapy. 3) Chemotherapy. 4) Targeted Therapy. 5) Immunotherapy.
Side effects of Surgery in Lung Cancer Patients
1) Pain and discomfort in the chest: Pain and discomfort in the chest can be evident at the surgical site. Pain can also be due to damaged intercostal nerve during surgery or due to perineural invasion of the tumor
2) Shortness of breath: Shortness of breath post-surgery during mild to moderate exertion can be due to reduced overall lung volume, as lobectomy is the most commonly surgical modality for lung cancer. Shortness of breath may persist for few weeks post-surgery and may get better with time.
3) Reduced Lung or Pulmonary Function: Lung cancer patients who have undergone lobectomy or pneumectomy suffer from significant decrease in the lung capacity or functional reserve capacity. Reduction in the functional reserve capacity of post-pneumectomy lung cancer patients affects the exercise or exertional capacity of the patient.
4) Swelling due to fluid build-up (Lymphedema): Lymphedema can happen in the lower limbs post-surgery of lung cancer patients due to surgical removal or excision of lymph nodes. Lymphedema can be quite debilitating post-surgery in lung cancer patients.
Side effects of Radiotherapy in Lung Cancer Patients
1) Fatigue: Unexplained fatigueness is one of the most common side-effects of post radiotherapy treatment in lung cancer patients. Fatigueness in lung cancer patients post radiotherapy can be experienced by unexplained sensation of tiredness and unable to carry out day to day daily activities properly. Fatigueness is unaffected by sleep or rest. Mechanism behind fatigueness post-radiotherapy is still unexplained.
2) Cough or shortness of breath due to Radiation pneumonitis: Radiation pneumonitis is an inflammatory condition that can develops in the lungs post-radiotherapy. Radiotherapy damaged the cells lining the alveoli, and resultant trigger an immune response that leads to inflammation. Radiation pneumonitis can develops after weeks or months post-radiotherapy and is evident by cough, shortness and difficulty in breath. Mild cases of radiation pneumonitis can resolve on its own, and more advanced cases can lead severely impaired pulmonary functions.
3) Post-radiotherapy pulmonary fibrosis (PRPF): Post-radiotherapy pulmonary fibrosis (PRPF) is the development of progressive fibrosis or scarring in the lungs as the late side-effects of radiation therapy. Post-radiotherapy pulmonary fibrosis (PRPF) is a long term treatment related complication that result in progressive build of scar tissues in the lungs and is evident by shortness in breath, and compromised pulmonary function. The exact mechanism of development of Post-radiotherapy pulmonary fibrosis (PRPF) is still known but high dose of radiotherapy which if given as curative intent can be reason behind it.
Pranayama is the practice of breath regulation.
Best Exercise for Lung Cancer Patients in Ayurveda
Ayurveda is a traditional science of Indian medicine and is practised in India since many centuries. Ayurveda has advised various types of treatment modalities that can deal with various aspects of the lung cancer treatment related side-effects as mentioned above. ‘Ayurveda’ when allied with ‘Yoga’ can help the patients to deal with various side –effects that has originated after treatment (Surgery or Radiotherapy) of lung cancer. Both (Ayurveda and Yoga) can advise the patients different breathing techniques and exercise to effectively increase or preserve residual lung volume or functionality that can is affected post treatment in cancer patients. Further is mentioned some breathing techniques or exercises:
1) Pranayama
As mentioned in Yoga, pranayama refers to the practice of breath control. Pranayama is derived from two words, “prana’ which means life force and “ayama” means to control. So pranayama means a technique or exercises to control one’s life force through breath. Pranayama is an ancient technique that is practised and is been mastered in India by many prolific Yogis since many centuries. Pranayama involves various techniques that helps to achieve harmony in physical, mental, and spiritual aspect of a human being by channelizing the life force.
Benefits of Pranayama
Regular practice of pranayama has many beneficial effects over the lung capacity, lung function and the respiratory health of an individual, and the same benefits can be experienced by lung cancer patients under the guidance of the Team ‘Cancer In Ayurveda’. Different benefits of pranayama in side-effects due to different treatment modalities in Lung Cancer Patients is mentioned below:
A) Improved Oxygen Exchange: Pranayama involves the technique of deep and controlled breathing, and it further helps in optimal exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the lungs. Pranayama can help in better gaseous exchange in the blood the lung cancer patients suffering from post-radiation pneumonitis or post-radiation pulmonary fibrosis. Pranayama can also increase the respiratory efficiency in reduced lung or pulmonary function post lobectomy or pneumectomy in lung cancer patients.
B) Strengthened Respiratory Muscles: Pranayama involves the technique of mastering the breathing by practice of inhalation and exhalation. While practicing the pranayama on a regular basis, it helps to engage and strengthen the muscles of breathing, such as the intercostal muscles, the diaphragm, and the abdominal muscles. More effective and efficient breathing can help to cope up with complains of shortness in breath due lobectomy or pneumectomy or radiation pneumonitis in lung cancer patients.
C) Enhanced Lung Flexibility: Various breathing techniques as described in pranayama involves or engages the expansion and the contraction of the lungs multiple times. This practice of expanding and contracting the lungs improves or maintains the lung elasticity and flexibility. The benefit of improving the lung elasticity and flexibility can prove beneficial in patients who are gradually developing post-radiotherapy pulmonary fibrosis (PRPF).
Other known benefits of pranayama in side-effects due to different treatment modalities in lung cancer patients are increased lung capacity, reduction in respiratory rate, improved lung function and improvement in overall respiratory health.
The several different types of pranayama mentioned in yoga are – 1) Nadi Shodhana or Anulom Vilom Pranayama (Alternate Nostril Breathing). 2) Kapalabhati Pranayama (Skull Shining Breath). 3) Bhramari Pranayama (Bee Breath). 4) Ujjayi Pranayama (Victorious Breath).
Best Exercise for Lung Cancer Patients according to Modern Sciences
The exercise regime that is advised to lung cancer patients depends on the multiple factors like type and the stage of the lung cancer, overall general health of the individual is also taken into consideration to determine the intensity of the exercises regime that can be advised to the patients.
A) Aerobic Exercises: Post-surgical cases of lung cancer can be advised low intensity aerobic exercises like walking, swimming, cycling etc. Such low intensity aerobic exercises helps to maintain the residual functionality of the lungs and improve the cardiovascular status of the patients. Low intensity aerobic exercises can also help to deal with post-radiotherapy fatigue, and help them to carry out their day to day daily activities properly.
B) Deep Breathing Exercises: Deep breathing exercises can be advised to lung cancer patients as it facilitates in improving in reserve lung capacity, improved gaseous exchange, and physical as well as mental relaxation. Deep breathing exercises like diaphragmatic breathing or pursed-lip breathing can be beneficial in patients suffering from shortness of breath post-surgery. It can also prove beneficial in patients who are suffering of from, and or to prevent Post-radiotherapy pulmonary fibrosis (PRPF).
C) Flexibility and Stretching: Gentle stretching exercises in lung cancer patients can help to deal with muscle pain and fatigue that can be present in general in lung cancer patients. It can also help to deal with fatigue that can develop post-radiotherapy in lung cancer patients.
D) Strength Training Exercises: Strength training exercises using light weights or resistance bands helps to maintain the muscle mass, and improve cardiovascular and respiratory capacity of lung cancer patients.
About Team ‘Cancer In Ayurveda’
Team ‘Cancer In Ayurveda’ is a dynamic group of Vaidya’s who are pioneer in Ayurveda and are well trained to apply ayurvedic principles in successful management of different types of cancer. Team ‘Cancer In Ayurveda’ are in a firm belief that different types of exercises can help in dealing with different types of treatment related side-effects that can arise in lung cancer patients.
