Oat Cell Cancer

Oat Cell Cancer: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Oat cell carcinoma (OCC) is a rare type of lung cancer characterized by the presence of clusters of small cells that resemble oat grains. These cells have hyperchromic nuclei and a narrow rim of cytoplasm. Lung cancer accounts for about 1-2% of all lung cancer cases.

Causes

Like many other types of lung cancer, the causes of lung cancer are not fully understood. However, it is known that the most significant risk factors are smoking and long-term exposure to chemicals such as arsene, nickel and chromium. It is also believed that genetic mutations can cause the development of OC cancer.

Symptoms

Symptoms of OC cancer may include cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, hemoptysis and fatigue. However, in most patients with OC cancer, symptoms may be unnoticeable or very mild in the early stages of the disease.

Diagnostics

Various techniques can be used to diagnose OC cancer, such as chest radiography, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), bronchoscopy, and biopsy.

Treatment

Treatment for OC cancer depends on the stage of the disease, the patient's health, and other factors. In most cases, treatment includes surgical removal of the tumor, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. To improve the quality of life of patients, palliative therapy methods can be used, which are aimed at reducing pain, coughing and other symptoms.

In conclusion, Oat Cell Cancer is a rare but dangerous type of lung cancer. Although the causes of this disease are not fully understood, the most significant risk factors are smoking and exposure to chemicals. It is important to contact your doctor if any symptoms occur to ensure timely and effective treatment.

Oat cell carcinoma is a malignant neoplasm of the lung, characterized by a number of characteristic features. It is characterized by a long period of asymptomatic disease. Many doctors at our clinic treat this disease. We have already written about this type of cancer.

Unlike other malignant lung tumors, this type of cancer develops slowly and has a pronounced infiltrative growth. A coughing attack, hemoptysis, shortness of breath and other symptoms of the disease appear in the later stages. At this point, the cancer has already invaded the surrounding organs. Metastasis begins only a few years after the onset of the disease. It usually occurs by hematogenous route. The clinical picture of the disease is nonspecific. Over the course of 5–20 years, a chronic cough develops and asthenic syndrome gradually increases. This combination of wheezing during breathing, tachycardia, rapid and shallow breathing, anemia and increased ESR does not present certain diagnostic difficulties. When examining a patient, it is important for the doctor to obtain the following information:

1. determine the presence (absence) of a dry, painful and prolonged cough; 2. identify the presence of permanent or temporary hemoptysis; 3. diagnose the presence of shortness of breath during habitual physical activity; 4. in case of peripheral swelling, determine whether one limb is sufficient; 5. assess the condition of the lymph nodes; 6. think about Welensky’s symptom; 7. about the possibility of developing sudden inspiratory or expiratory arrhythmia followed by short-term cessation of breathing; 8. characterize the symptoms of damage to the central nervous system; 9. note from the gastrointestinal tract; 10. pay attention to the frequency of bronchitis.

The leading methods for diagnosing cancer of the lung bronchi are bronchography and fibrobronchoscopy. In addition, computed tomography of the chest organs, as well as ultrasound examination of the liver and spleen are used to diagnose distant metastases. Lung cancer is diagnosed using a chest x-ray. Focal shadows, large peripheral swelling, and confusion of the mediastinum with the sternum are typical. These symptoms are used to differentiate the disease from pulmonary tuberculosis. Also, the bronchoscopy method is important in making a diagnosis when cancer is detected in the terminal zone, and for diagnosing early stages of cancer - transthoracic and percutaneous fine-needle biopsy. Unfortunately, lung cancer is very difficult to detect in its early stages. Therefore, active early detection of cancer among the population plays an important role. You need to know the symptoms that are alarming and indicate the possible presence of cancer: prolonged minor malaise, cough, hemoptysis, discoloration of the skin, night sweats. But don’t be shy and need to undergo medical examinations with a therapist. Of course, there are certain difficulties regarding the combination of other chronic diseases and age, but in any case it is better to prevent the occurrence of a dangerous disease than to treat it. Treatment of this type of lung cancer is always difficult, since it can be detected in time in the last stages