Lung cancer is a form of cancer that originates in the lungs—the organs responsible for the inhalation of oxygen and exhalation of carbon dioxide. During its development, lung cancer cells grow within the lungs, causing so much damage that they eventually invade nearby lung tissue, the lymph nodes, or organs. Medical treatments vary and can include both natural cancer treatment options or conventional cancer treatment options like surgery or chemotherapy.

There are two major types of lung cancer. These cancer types can influence how a patient explores oncology information, immunotherapy options, and holistic suppor:

  • Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) – Appears almost exclusively in heavy smokers. This type of lung cancer makes up 15% of all lung cancer diagnoses.
  • Non-small cell lung cancer (NSLC) – The bulk of lung cancer cases, which behave in a similar manner. The most common of these are:

Amongst both men and women, it’s the principal cause of cancer in America. A brief look at the numbers, along with ongoing lung cancer research, clearly illustrates what a grave threat lung cancer truly is. According to the National Cancer Institute:

  • More than 228,000 people in the US are diagnosed with lung cancer every year.
      • Of these, 10% to 15% have never smoked.
  • 156,000 Americans die from lung cancer annually.

Of the 200,000+ people diagnosed with the disease, the average age at the time of diagnosis is approximately 70 years old.

Causes and Risk Factors of Lung Cancer Tumor Growth

Although the exact causes behind cancerous mutation in the cells remains unknown, lung cancer has some of the clearest links between behavioral patterns and its development, especially when compared to various other types of cancer and lung disease. Common risk factors include:

  • Smoking – Over time, the risk of cancer increases proportionally with the amount of smoking you do and the frequency of smoking. Another contributing factor to consider is the duration of the habit. Even if you have smoked for years, it is still beneficial for your health to quit smoking as soon as possible.
  • Secondhand smoke exposure – Even those who don’t smoke can develop cancer by inhaling secondhand smoke from the people around them that regularly do smoke, especially because that smoke has increased levels of toxicity.
  • Family history of lung cancer – If you have one or multiple direct family members who developed lung cancer, then you are predisposed to get it as well.
  • Older age – Most people are diagnosed after age 70.
  • Race – According to studies, “White male smokers consume 30%–40% more cigarettes than their black counterparts, but black male smokers are 34% more likely to develop lung cancer.”
  • Exposure to radon gas – Radon is the breakdown of uranium in either soil, water, or rock. Dangerous radon levels can build in just about any building or home in certain areas.
  • Exposure to carcinogens – Exposure to asbestos or other substances like chromium, nickel, and arsenic can greatly increase the risk of cancer.

Early Detection, Diagnosis, and Staging

Lung cancer typically doesn’t produce noticeable symptoms in the early stages. A lung cancer patient normally only experiences signs when the disease has advanced. Potential symptoms of advanced lung cancer may include:

  • A persistent cough
  • Bone pain
  • Chest pain
  • Coughing up blood
  • Dizziness
  • Headaches
  • Hoarseness
  • Inexplicable weight loss
  • Jaundice
  • Shortness of breath
  • Weakness
  • Wheezing

Screening is usually done in one of three ways:

  • Imaging tests – An X-ray to look for abnormal masses, or a CT scan to show small lesions.
  • Septum cytology – If you have a cough that produces sputum, that sample can be analyzed beneath a microscope to reveal lung cancer cells.
  • Lung tissue sample – A biopsy of abnormal cells may be removed and then analyzed.

Stages of Lung Cancer

There are different gradations to stages based upon the TNM classification, which assigns a score according to the TNM factors:

  • T – Tumor size and location
  • N – The number of lymph nodes involved
  • M – Metastasis, how far it has spread

Generally speaking, the stages of lung cancer, from localized to metastatic, can be defined as followed:

  • Stage I – The cancerous cells or tumor are only in a single lung. At this stage, the cancer has not spread to other organs or lymph nodes in the patient.
  • Stage II – The cancer has already spread to lymph nodes within the lung, however it has not yet traveled to other organs.
  • Stage III – The cancer has spread to the lymph nodes at the center of the chest but has not reached distant organs.
  • Stage IV – The advanced lung cancer has metastasized, spreading throughout the body.

What Is Alternative Lung Cancer Treatment?

Alternative lung cancer treatment refers to holistic or natural cancer therapy options that focus on supporting the body, immune function, and overall wellness during a lung cancer journey. Rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach, this type of care considers the patient’s cancer types, tumor location, stage of disease, overall healthcare needs, and individual goals.

For patients researching alternative treatment lung cancer options, this section can help clarify what the phrase means and why patients may explore natural therapies. Factors such as localized or metastatic disease, symptoms, daily comfort, and long-term quality of life may all shape the conversation around treatment planning.

Types of Lung Cancer: Alternative Treatments

Lung cancer alternative treatments may include integrative medicine, immune-focused therapies, dietary guidance, organic nutrition support, carefully selected supplement options, and hormone balance support when appropriate. These natural therapies are selected based on the patient’s diagnosis, clinical history, symptoms, and overall condition.

At our holistic clinic, alternative treatments for lung cancer are not one-size-fits-all. The care plan may vary depending on the type and location of cancer, whether the disease is metastatic, and any side effects the patient may be experiencing. This allows the team to recommend complementary therapies focused on comfort, relief, and patient-centered wellness.

About Alternative/Natural Treatment of Lung Cancer

As a holistic cancer treatment clinic, Immunity Therapy Center understands that treating cancer differs from patient to patient. Different from conventional lung cancer treatment options, our approach utilizes a variety of alternative Cancer treatment options to strengthen your immune system while directly targeting your Cancer Cells. The type of natural cancer treatment and combination of complementary therapies we use vary depending on the type and location of Cancer, stage of Cancer, whether the disease is metastatic, and the overall health of the  lung cancer patients. In addition to holistic cancer treatment, we offer alternative treatment options for chronic degenerative diseases. Our integrative medicine approach may also include dietary guidance, organic nutrition support, carefully selected supplement options, hormone balance support when appropriate, and therapies focused on relief and quality of life. If you are interested in a customized alternative lung cancer treatment plan, or learning more about alternative medicine and alternative therapy as lung cancer treatment options, reach out to Immunity Therapy Center today!

Sources

Lungevity. Types of Lung Cancer. https://lungevity.org/for-patients-caregivers/lung-cancer-101/types-of-lung-cancer

National Cancer Institute. Contents of the SEER Cancer Statistics Review, 1975-2016. https://seer.cancer.gov/csr/1975_2016/sections.html

Lathan, C. NCBI. Perspectives of African Americans on Lung Cancer: A Qualitative Analysis. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4391768/

Wexler, A. Medical News Today. What are the stages of lung cancer? (2017). https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/316198.php